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9 Ways to Maximize Natural Light in Your Home, According to Interior Designers

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When you consider home design, primary features like furniture, layout, and décor details obviously come to mind. But one aspect that’s of concern to every interior designer is how light fills the space. Often, the mission is to maximize sunlight in every room during the daytime hours, which makes a home feel more expansive, warm, and inviting.

Beyond aesthetics, science has a thing or two to say about the mental health benefits of sunlight, tying it to increased productivity and even a boosted mood. So how do you extract as much sunshine as possible? We’ve got a full guide below with interior designer tips and tricks.

Use Light Colors and Reflective Finishes

Lighter colors through paint, textiles, and flooring will naturally make a space feel brighter and more airy. Additionally, reflective finishes—like satin and semi-gloss paints versus matte—will help the light bounce for a sunnier-feeling space, says interior designer Lauren Winsor. Just be mindful that shinier paint finishes can highlight imperfections, so make sure your walls are smooth and prepped for best results.

Incorporate Glass and Mirrors

Speaking of reflective surfaces, mirrors and glass do an excellent job of nixing shadowy spaces because of the way they bounce light around a room. A strategically placed mirror or pane of glass (think: picture frames, glass cabinetry, or table top) will help multiply natural light sources,” Winsor explains. “Just be careful about placing large mirrors directly across from a window as it can create glare.”

Rethink Your Layout

Layout may only seem consequential as far as “flow” goes, but it can also impact how much light fills your space. “Rethink your layout to avoid blocking windows or creating dark corners,” says interior designer Emma Corner. “Pull furniture away from window areas, opt for low-profile pieces when possible, and avoid heavy, dark window treatments that can weigh down a room.”

Add Windows in Strategic Places

If you’re building your home or renovating it, it's important to know which direction they face. "East-facing windows will bring in the crisp morning light, while west-facing windows will provide that golden-hour glow,” explains Kayleigh Eppinger, principal at Epp Interiors. “Conversely, north-facing windows will only allow indirect light into a space which won't provide much bang for your buck.”

Hang Drapes High and Wide

Just about every interior designer recommends hanging your drapery high and wide. The effect not only makes your windows appear larger, but also allows for the most light to enter the room. "If you want a lot of light but need privacy, consider adding blinds or sheers inside of your drapery," Winsor suggests. "The layered effect is both beautiful and functional."

Weave Metallics in Your Décor

In the same way light reflects of glass, mirrors, and reflective paints, metallic décor can help light bounce around the room and prevent it from being absorbed into dark surfaces, explains Mark Schubert, principal designer at Phillip Harrison Interiors. This might look like chrome lamp bases, gilded light fixtures, or metal picture frames and sculptures.

Opt for Light-Filtering Drapery

Light-blocking drapes are great for bedrooms where you want to get some peaceful shut-eye, but opt for light-filtering drapes in gathering spaces where you want more sunshine.

For example, Eppinger says, “Window treatments made of bamboo or lace will cut down on harsh direct light that might be uncomfortable in someone's face, but still allows for all the ambient light to pass through and brighten the space.”

Soften Your Space With Organic Materials

Incorporate soft, organic materials like linen, rattan, bamboo, white oak, or soft wool to help maximize sunlight. Schubert says these naturally pale materials keep the space grounded and inviting without causing a room to feel too sterile. The idea is that you want a balance of both reflective surfaces and soft textiles for a more welcoming space.

Keep Your Windows Clean

Keeping your windows sparkling clean may seem a bit of a no-brainer, but the reality is that this chore is often overlooked.

Windows gather dust, droplets, and grime, all of which can impact the light flowing into a space, Corner says. Clean your interior windows at least once a month, and deep clean the exterior (including screens) in the spring and fall.

Read more at Martha Stewart

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Do You Think the Housing Market’s About To Crash? Read This First

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Lately, it feels like a lot of people have been asking the same question: “Is the housing market about to crash?”

If you’ve been scrolling through social media or watching the news, you might have seen some pretty scary headlines yourself. That’s why it’s no surprise that, according to data from Clever Real Estate, 70% of Americans are worried about a housing crash in 2025.

But before you hit pause on your plans to buy or sell a home, take a deep breath. The truth is: the housing market isn’t about to crash – it’s just shifting. And that shift actually works in your favor.

Today’s Inventory Keeps the Housing Market from Crashing

Mark Fleming, Chief Economist at First American, says:

“There’s just generally not enough supply. There are more people than housing inventory. It’s Econ 101.”

Think about it. If there’s a shortage of something – like tickets to a popular concert – prices go up. That’s what’s been happening with homes. We still have a shortage of supply. Too many buyers and not enough homes push prices higher.

Check out the white line for 2025 in the graph below. Even though the number of homes for sale is climbing, data from Realtor.com shows we’re still well below normal levels (shown in gray):

 
 

That ongoing low supply is what’s stopping home prices from dropping at the national level. As Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors (NAR), says:

“… if there’s a shortage, prices simply cannot crash.”

More Homes for Sale Means Price Growth Is Easing

And, as more homes become available, that takes some of the intense upward pressure off home price growth – leading to healthier price appreciation.

So, while prices aren’t falling nationally, growing inventory means they also aren’t rising as fast as they were. What we’re seeing is price moderation (see graph below):

 
 

And according to Freddie Mac, that moderation should continue through the rest of this year:

“In 2025, we expect the pace of house price appreciation to moderate from the levels seen in 2024, while still maintaining a positive trajectory.”

Put simply, that means prices will continue going up in most areas, just not as quickly. That’s good news for anyone who’s been having trouble finding a home and feeling sticker shock from the rapid price appreciation of the past few years.

But of course, what’s happening with prices and inventory is going to vary by local market. So, talk to your agent to find out what’s happening where you live.

Bottom Line

Don’t let the talk scare you. Experts agree that a housing market crash is unlikely in 2025. As Business Insider reports:

“. . . economists who study housing market conditions generally do not expect a crash in 2025 or beyond unless the economic outlook changes.”

Instead, we’re heading into a housing market that’s healthier and more balanced, with slower price growth and more opportunity.

Chat with a local real estate agent about what’s happening in your local market and how you can make the most of it.

Read more at Keeping Current Matters

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Nearly half of home sellers are offering concessions

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U.S. home sellers offered concessions to buyers in near-record numbers during the first quarter of 2025 as rising housing costs, high mortgage rates and growing economic uncertainty continued to reshape the real estate landscape.

According to a new report from Redfin, 44.4% of home sales from January through March included concessions such as money toward repairs, closing costs or mortgage rate buydowns. That’s up from 39.3% a year ago and close to the record figure of 45.1% at the start of 2023.

Seller are turning to concessions more frequently as buyers grow more cautious. Listings have reached a five-year high, giving house hunters increased bargaining power.

“Buyers used to ask for concessions to cover little things like repairs. Now they’re negotiating concessions so they can afford to buy a home,” said Chaley McVay, a Redfin Premier agent in Portland, Oregon. “A lot of sellers are offering money for mortgage-rate buydowns, and I recently had one seller cover seven months of HOA fees for the buyer.”

McVay said concessions have become a strategic way for sellers to meet buyers’ financial needs without lowering their sale price.

“Sellers are feeling nervous because a lot of them bought at the top of the market in 2021 and 2022, and will now be re-buying at a higher mortgage rate. They’re worried about net proceeds,” she said.

“That’s why I recommend my buyers ask for concessions instead of a lower sale price — it can be a win-win because then the buyer is catching a break and the seller doesn’t have to go below the price they had in their head.”

Regional disparities in concessions

The trend is particularly strong in the Pacific Northwest.

In Seattle, 71.3% of sellers offered concessions in Q1 2025 — the highest share among the 24 major U.S. metros analyzed by Redfin. That figure nearly doubled from 36.4% a year earlier, marking the largest year-over-year increase among large metros.

“It’s super common to see seller concessions for condos and new-construction townhomes, but less so for single-family homes — unless the single-family home has been sitting on the market for a while,” said Stephanie Kastner, a Redfin Premier agent in Seattle.

“Condos have become a tougher sell because of skyrocketing HOA fees and insurance. And builders are offering concessions because it’s in their best interest to keep sale prices high; they’re willing to pay buyers’ closing costs and maybe provide a free washer-dryer if it means they don’t have to drop the listing price.”

Portland had the second-largest increase in concessions, rising 14.2 percentage points during the year to 63.9%. Other metros with notable increases include Los Angeles (up 11 points to 56.1%), San Jose (up 10.6 points to 16.7%), and Houston (up 6.2 pts to 46%).

In contrast, New York City saw the sharpest decline. Just 5.5% of home sellers there included concessions — down 15.7 percentage points from a year ago and the lowest share among the surveyed metros. Miami (down 13.1 points to 33.8%), San Antonio (down 10.9 points to 44.4%), Tampa (down 9.2 points to 33.9%) and Phoenix (down 3.5 points to 51.2%) also recorded decreases.

Redfin analysts note that markets in Florida and Texas have already been adjusting to a slower pace for some time. This has led sellers to price homes more competitively upfront and reduce the need for concessions.

More discount-concession combos

A growing number of sellers are combining concessions with price cuts or accepting offers below asking price. Redfin reports that:

21.5% of homes sold in Q1 2025 went for less than asking price and included a seller concession (up from 18.5% a year ago)

16.2% involved a price cut and a concession (up from 13%)

9.9% involved a price cut, a concession and a sale price below the initial asking price (up from 8%)

Softening demand is also reflected in a rising number of deal cancellations.

In March, 13.4% of home purchase agreements fell through, according to Redfin — equivalent to about 52,000 transactions. That’s the third-highest rate for March since at least 2017 and trails only 2020, when disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily froze the market.

Read more at Housingwire

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Are Arches the Hot New Home Design?

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When we think of arches, our minds may conjure up images of classic Greek structures or dramatic Gothic buildings. But it’s not just ancient architecture where you might find an archway or two. In recent years, arches have become a more widely sought-after feature in home design.

“Arches are becoming more popular in homes, and for good reason," says Angie Kreller, interior designer at Yabby in New South Wales, Australia. "We have seen a huge shift back to more organic shapes in interior design because they remind us of nature."

Joe Raboine, vice president of design at Oldcastle APG in Atlanta, has had a similar experience. “Archways are coming back in style, as people are looking for ways to soften the lines in their homes and make the design feel more organic,” he says. “They often evoke a sense of nostalgia and people are drawn to places that make them feel safe."

Bree Steele, interior designer and trade accounts manager at RJ Living in Melbourne, Australia, says arches “bring softness and elegance to a space while creating a sense of flow that traditional squared-off openings just can’t give.”

Where to Incorporate Arches in Home Design

When you imagine adding archways to a residential space, you might picture a mansion that lends to soaring design. But traditional homes, and smaller-sized ones, can benefit from arches, too.

In Steele’s experience, arches are most popular in entryways and hallways. There, she says, they serve a clear purpose while also adding a grand feel.

“Arches also get used quite a bit in living and dining spaces, as they can help subtly divide rooms without making them feel disconnected the way traditional doorways would,” Steele adds.

Steele has also seen her fair share of arches in bathrooms. “Arched alcoves and shower nooks are very popular because they soften the look of the space,” she says.

Arches can also help minimize the “hard” look of tiles. “They also add architectural interest to a room that can be boring,” Steele says.

Kreller is convinced that arches can be used almost anywhere. “Because of their curved design, they create a more natural feeling flow between rooms, which make them great as an alternative to a traditional squared-off opening,” she says. “They can be used in doors, shelves or even in cabinets.”

Arches help draw the eyes upward, Kreller explains. That can make ceilings feel higher, giving rooms a bigger impression.

Bob Zuber, associate principal at Morgante Wilson Architects in Evanston, Illinois, is a fan of using arches strategically.

“We use them for graceful openings between two rooms that maybe you want visual and acoustic connection but want the feel of separation so that the room doesn’t feel overwhelmingly large,” he explains. One such example would be to use arches to separate a kitchen and dining room, or a kitchen and family room.

Zuber also has another interesting use of arches.

“We also use them over tubs in primary bathrooms. It gives the sense of coziness and protection in a wide-open space,” he says.

Raboine loves incorporating arches into outdoor design. "One of the coolest exterior arches is a moon gate or keyhole-style arch," he says. A moon gate arch is a circular opening in a garden wall or structure, traditionally used in Asian garden design. A keyhole arch has a wider opening at the top that narrows toward the bottom.

Raboine often sees arches built out of stone or brick, but they can also be made with wood or wrought iron. For indoor use, Raboine commonly sees arches finished with simple drywall or plaster. Sometimes, he’ll find stone arches indoors, too.

Challenges of Adding Arches

Incorporating curves into home design takes a certain level of skill. However, with the right professional, challenges can be overcome.

“The biggest challenge with arches is making sure they work well with the existing architecture," Steele says. "Some homes have a lot of straight lines and, especially if you are adding arches in a renovation, you want to be careful not to break any of those lines in an abrupt and unrefined way that will seem jarred.”

Kreller says arches can be hard to work with if you’re adding an arched opening where one didn’t exist before. That might require more framing work, she explains.

Kreller also cautions that arches typically don’t work well with more modern and minimalist designs, causing a “clash in aesthetics.”

Zuber agrees that arches can be tricky, but with proper measurements and design, they can work quite well.

“The difficult part about arches is to scale them properly for the size of the span and the room they are in,” he says. “You don’t want the arch to spring too low to hit your head on, nor have the apex too high so that the wall above looks flimsy. The arch itself should have a proper amount of rise to appear correctly in scale with the span.”

Thankfully, Zuber says, there are different types of arches to choose from. And with the right designer, they can fit well into many spaces.

Read more at U.S.News

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How to Plant a Tree the Right Way So It Thrives for Decades to Come

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Trees are important landscape components that grow slowly but often outlast most other plants. They offer visual height, shade, and a habitat for birds, and well-planted trees could very well outlive you.

Adding a tree to your property is a bit more complex than adding a small shrub or garden bed, but that doesn't mean it's too difficult for a DIY. You'll just need to invest time and resources into doing the job right if you want to leave your property more shaded and beautiful than you found it.

Here's how to plant a tree the easy way and help it flourish for future generations.

How to Plant a Tree

Select Your Tree Type

The best way to set yourself up for success is to choose a tree that will thrive in your local climate. Look up your region's USDA Plant Hardiness Zone and select a tree that is likely to grow well under local conditions.

Choose a Location

Aesthetics isn't the only thing to consider when selecting the best spot for a tree. To figure out where to plant it, start with the process of elimination. You'll need to consider the following:

  • Underground utility lines: Make sure you research your state laws before digging and contact the proper agencies and utility companies to mark underground lines.

  • Sunlight: Most trees need six to eight hours of full sunlight to grow well, so avoid any shaded areas in your yard.

  • Mature size: You'll also want to consider the full size of the tree when it matures, so don't select a location that's too close to structures like your home or other mature trees.

Prepare Your Starter Tree

If you're relatively new to gardening, planting a starter tree rather than a seed can help give you better results. You'll get to bypass the initial growing stages where more things can go wrong.

Before planting a bare-root starter tree, you'll need to soak its roots in a bucket of water for a couple of hours to help them stay moist during the process.

For potted starter trees, make sure to water the tree as soon as you get it home. Place it outside near its future dwelling place to allow it to acclimate to the conditions for a week. When you're ready to plant it, gently remove it from its container.

Prepare the Hole

  • Adjust the soil: Start by checking your soil's acidity and assessing its health. Most trees prefer loose, loamy, and well-draining soil with a neutral pH. However, you'll want to research your specific tree's needs and adjust the soil accordingly to make it more acidic or to raise the pH. Incorporating organic matter via compost can make the soil looser, more loamy, and better-draining, but it also raises the acidity. It's all about balance.

  • Dig the hole: Dig a hole in your yard that's at least twice the width and about one inch deeper than the starter tree's root system.

  • Set the excavated soil aside: Don't discard the extra soil you've removed from the tree. You'll need it in the next step.

Transplant the Starter Tree

To transplant your tree, place it upright in the prepped hole. Shovel the excavated soil back into the hole, tamping it gently as you go. Reposition the tree as needed during the process to ensure it stays upright.

Add extra soil to the base of the tree in a mound shape, and create a moat around the perimeter for extra water to collect and keep the tree moist as it matures. Apply a thin layer of mulch, leaving a three-inch ring around the base of the tree to allow for air flow.

How to Care for a Newly-Planted Tree

While a young tree is establishing its root system, it needs some extra attention. Follow these care tips for the first two to three years after planting your tree.

Water frequently:Water the tree daily for the first two weeks to prevent root shock, and slowly reduce the frequency after to every other day and then weekly. Once your tree becomes more established, you only need to water it every two to three weeks during dry periods.

Keep it mulched: Keeping a young tree mulched will help its roots retain moisture better. Reapply the mulch on an annual basis. You can drop the frequency to once every two years when the tree matures.

Stake it: Sometimes, a young tree's root system isn't established enough to support it. If you notice your transplanted tree bending, stake it to prevent it from snapping from the top weight or heavy winds.

The Best Time to Plant a Tree

You'll want to plant a starter tree into the ground when the weather is mild and when the plant is entering or just starting to end its dormancy period. For most regions, this is during fall or early spring.

Both seasons have their pros and cons for planting a tree.

Planting a Tree in Fall

Planting a tree in the fall gives it ample time to establish its root system before the summer heat kicks in. Since the tree is on its way towards entering dormancy, it can channel its energy into root growth rather than leaf growth.

However, you want to make sure you don't plant the tree too late in the fall, or you run the risk of below-freezing temps causing damage to the tree's root system.

Planting a Tree in Spring

Local nurseries often get a fresh supply of trees delivered in spring, so you should have a great selection to choose from.

Just be sure to wait until after the ground has thawed from winter, but don't put it off too long. The warmer temps of early summer can cause the tree to go into shock.

Read more at the spruce

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