Bright Sparks: five light-filled homes for sale

The magic of natural light is not to be underestimated: it can lift our spirits, improve our circadian rhythms, inspire us to learn and make our plants happy. But that’s not all: when it comes to our homes, it can transform a space entirely, elevating our interiors to dizzy new heights. In need of proof? Take a look at these five lovely light-filled homes, all of which are currently on the market.

Haslemere Road, London N8

The shining star of this sublime semi-detached Edwardian house in Crouch End, north London is the double-height floor-to-ceiling glass wall in the dining room. Mealtimes here are a joy, thanks to the huge panels of glazing that offer views out to towering silver birch trees and, in turn, welcome in the most delightful dappled light. But that’s not the only window winning us over: the five-bedroom home, which spans 3,400sq ft, has a plethora of sash windows, many of which invite southerly light. Another feature that plays with brightness is the striking installation of some 80 dainty nickel-silver plates, which sits in front of a double-height window and acts as a brise soleil, reflecting artful shadows across both the upstairs living area and downstairs kitchen.

The Parade, Mousehole, Cornwall

As well as being blessed with rugged moorlands, beautiful beaches and pretty fishing villages, the postcard-perfect peninsula of Cornwall gets enviable amounts of light. One seaside settlement celebrated for such a reason is Mousehole, which lies on the south side of the county, not too far from Newlyn and Penzance. And situated on an elevated position within walking distance to the water in Mousehole is a four-bedroom home with blissful vistas worth boasting about. The south-facing open-plan living and kitchen area, for instance, has huge picture windows framing far-reaching views of cobbled streets and the sea beyond, while cleverly placed skylights draw in light from above. On a sun-soaked evening, make the most of golden hour from the terraced dining area or, better yet, the nearby beach.

Roupell Street V, London SE1

The first thing we fell in love with when visiting this Grade II-listed Georgian gem in central London was its charming façade, which comprises beautiful Flemish-bond brickwork, sash windows and a jaunty roof. It forms part of one of London’s most recognisable terraces, Roupell Street, and has survived the Blitz and the expansion of Waterloo Station, which is just a few minutes’ walk away. But don’t be fooled by its historic exterior: inside, the house is a lesson in light maximisation, having undergone a contemporary refurbishment to make the most of the sun’s rays. The pièce de resistance is the south-facing rear extension, featuring a mono-pitched glass roof.

Long Compton, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire

Originally overhauled by Turner Works to be a holiday home, this seven-bedroom barn conversion offers pure escapism. It’s surrounded by 14 acres of open rewilded countryside, which make for the most extraordinary never-ending views. Vast amounts of glazing have subsequently been employed and bring abundant natural light into the living areas, which measure more than 3,000sq ft. From thoughtfully positioned skylights in the bedroom (also well-suited for stargazing) to floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows in the open-plan kitchen, dining and living areas, this home is far from short of first-class bright and airy spaces.

Westbridge Road, London SW11

When the current owners of this handsome Victorian home in Battersea, south-west London, came to renovate, they tasked Jo Cowen Architects to create light-enhancing interiors. An impressive top-to-toe transformation saw the practice meet its brief with merit: it introduced a double-height rear extension that includes soaring swathes of glass, as well as Crittall-style walls and partitions that subsequently allow light to flow around the spaces. We also salute the large skylight sitting above the study. It’s been proven that daylight makes us more focused and productive, so this sunlit spot is an ideal place to spark bright ideas when working from home.

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