I've noticed the same thing about wall colors—my old place had these dark, moody walls that looked great in photos but felt like a cave in real life. Switching to lighter shades helped a ton. Curious if anyone's tried skylights or solar tubes...worth the hassle?
I've installed solar tubes in a couple of my rental properties, and honestly, they're pretty underrated. Installation isn't too invasive—way less hassle than full skylights. They bring in a surprising amount of daylight, even on cloudy days. But placement matters a lot...hallways, bathrooms, or kitchens benefit most. I'd say if you're looking for a practical upgrade without major structural changes, solar tubes are definitely worth considering.
Solar tubes definitely have their perks, but I'd caution against thinking they're always the best fit. In my experience, they can sometimes create uneven lighting—bright spots directly beneath them and dimmer edges around the room. For spaces needing more uniform illumination, like kitchens where task lighting is crucial, LED recessed lights or under-cabinet lighting might actually be more effective. Solar tubes are great, just not necessarily a one-size-fits-all solution...worth weighing your specific lighting goals carefully before committing.
I get what you're saying about uneven lighting, but honestly, I kinda like the natural shifts in brightness solar tubes create. Reminds me of my grandma's old farmhouse kitchen—sunlight pooling on the table, softer shadows around the edges...felt cozy and inviting rather than uneven.
"Reminds me of my grandma's old farmhouse kitchen—sunlight pooling on the table, softer shadows around the edges...felt cozy and inviting rather than uneven."
This is exactly why I went with solar tubes in our historic place. Sure, the lighting isn't perfectly uniform, but honestly, older homes weren't built for that sterile, showroom brightness anyway. The natural shifts in light add character and warmth—just feels right. Plus, practical bonus: no electricity costs during daylight hours. Win-win in my book.
