How can I use my lanai to bring more light into my house?

Teri cassidy
by Teri cassidy
I have a lanai on the front of my home. because of that my house feels like a cave. I always have to have lights on. How can I use my lanai to bring light into my home? I was thinking perhaps metal installed on lanai ceiling to reflect the light or perhaps install mirrors somehow to reflect the light. Please help with any ideas.
  7 answers
  • Does that window face north? If so, you will be limited. Mirrors will always bounce around light. Try putting some on the walls. I would also paint the entire lanai a white/light color. The bottom part that touches the patio, is that wood? Can you paint that white? Lose the vertical blinds. They make the room seem heavy. Maybe try some sheer drapery. You can install a bamboo blind on the outside on the patio roof. You can then raise that up and down depending on privacy issues.
  • Lulu Lulu on Feb 12, 2016
    Is this a rental property?
  • Country Design Home Country Design Home on Feb 12, 2016
    I agree with Beth H, you need to keep everything in the lanai as light as possible- so everything needs to be painted in white or a very light color. I would also paint out the black trim around those sliding doors and lose the vertical blinds. If you need something for privacy, I would hang some panels with clip rings on a rod that extends to the outside edges of the sliders. You can close them when needed but otherwise it won't block any light when they are open.
  • Dennis Dennis on Feb 12, 2016
    Guessing that's a tile floor, so concrete paint in a light color would help. the mirror effects is also practical, putting them on the side walls. Of course, if you're renting you'll need the landlord's permission.
  • Teri cassidy Teri cassidy on Feb 12, 2016
    No. I own it. But can not change the exterior due to condo rules. The lanai gets plenty of light but i can not get that light into my living roonm
    • @Teri cassidy Can you paint the inside of the lanai?? Meaning the wrap around porch area that goes down to the patio floor?? The inside could be painted white. Looking out through the sliding door, It's hard to tell from your photo if it's solid or it's the back of the bushes. If you could paint that a light color it would help
  • Teri cassidy Teri cassidy on Feb 12, 2016
    can i do anything inside the lanai to direct light into living room? Cant tell from photos but i must have lights on all day and night
  • Teri cassidy Teri cassidy on Feb 12, 2016
    Thank you all for your help. I will report back when I implant these suggestions.