How can I gain more daylight in a west facing first floor condo?

Question

I live on a 1st flr condo facing direct west (3 lg windows in each room) hoping to receive a lot of daylight, which isn't the case. Even on sunny, clear days my home doesn't seem to pull in enough light--I live in a major city the Pac Northwest--& I'd like to find alternative solutions on how to bring in natural daylight as I suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder ( SAD).

My view is not obstructed by any structures other than shrubs & in the distance trees that approx 200' away.

What are some products one can purchase (besides light boxes) that can be used to draw the outdoor lighting into the home. I know in Japan they use fiber optic lighting, but I don't know if this is avail here in the USA & is reasonably affordable.

Answer 1

Since you live in a condo, chances are sky lights or even solar tubes aren't legal. Actually building a wall outside your west facing window and doors and painting it white or light colored will reflect light into your condo. Problem is, probably can't do that either. Condo's don't allow you to do squat outside your house structure.

The amount of light you need to overcome SAD there in the NW with the longer night hours pretty much makes the solution inside your condo. Consult a lighting specialist store to see what type fixtures are available for you.....surely more than the box. You may have to go with something exotic and maybe just do a room or two as likely it will be expensive.

Answer 2

I know where you are coming from.I use full spectrum florescent bulbs,Mirrors to reflect all the available light,Lots of green plants,some with large bright flowers,painted panels with bright colors .Think about the tropics.Very light colored paint pulls light into rooms.I live north of you in the canadian desert,I get light from morning to night,but I have tiny single paned windows in my rental house.My screen saver on the mac is of tropical beaches,And when I can ,I go to places where there are lots of plants.My sister says aroma therapy can help.May the Light be with you.

Answer 3

My two cents would be to purchase several of these special & inexpensive " sun simulating" lightbulbs. Instead of buying those expensive light boxes, you might as well use the lamps you already have. You might even want to buy a few more lamps in the process! Here's a link to those particular lightbulbs:

http://www.verilux.com/full-spectrum-lightbulbs/incandescent-bulbs