Whether it’s the amount of storage space or the number of electrical outlets, house hunters search for a variety of features.
However, a recent study recommends that prospective purchasers should also consider the size of the windows.
Researchers from the University of Sheffield have found that increasing the quantity of natural light that enters a residence can increase happiness.
Dr. Pablo Navarrete-Hernandez, who led the study, stated, “Given that, people live, work, and spend more time at home than ever before, urban planners and property developers should consider enhancing natural lighting conditions in the home through aspects such as window size and placement.”
While prior research has demonstrated a correlation between indoor surroundings and mental health, little is known about the exact features of a home that influence our moods.
The purpose of the new study was to determine whether natural illumination in the home impacts the happiness and unhappiness of its occupants.
The researchers showed 750 participants 25 randomly allocated 3D picture simulations of living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms, each with a unique natural lighting arrangement.
This comprised windows facing north and south, as well as windows of various sizes and quantities.
Participants were asked to rate how happy or sad each environment made them feel.
The findings demonstrated that the design of natural lighting had a substantial effect on mental health and reported happiness.
More than 40 percent of a wall’s surface should be comprised of windows for the happiest results among the 25 scenarios examined in the study.
Alternatively, if you were considering a trendy exposed brick finish, the data may discourage you.
“Regarding the reflection and absorption of sunshine in the home, we discovered that stucco and wood wall-finish surfaces were favorable to subjective happiness, whereas brick surfaces were not,” the researchers concluded.
Previous research has indicated that exposure to light can increase levels of serotonin, also known as the “happy hormone.” While the researchers did not investigate the explanation behind their findings, they did find that exposure to light can increase serotonin levels.
The NHS advises light therapy for seasonal affective disorder sufferers (SAD).
It is believed that the light may improve SAD by encouraging the brain to produce less melatonin (a hormone that makes you drowsy) and more serotonin (a hormone that improves your mood).
Researchers hope these findings would persuade buyers to consider window size.
The study’s author, Javiera Morales-Bravo of the University of Chile, stated, “When searching for a new residence, individuals desire a home that maximizes the amount of natural light entering the property, as this improves their families and their mental wellbeing.”
In addition, they propose that architects should choose wider windows when designing new residences.
The researchers concluded, ‘Preserving, and hopefully increasing, natural light conditions in homes should be a basic focus of built environment design to improve people’s emotional subjective health in a society where we spend more time at home than ever before.’
