That’s so true—sunlight is both a blessing and a curse when it comes to home projects. I swear, every time the afternoon sun hits my living room, I notice a new imperfection I missed. But you’re right, most folks just see the extra light and space. Did you find the bump-out changed how you use the room? I always wonder if those additions actually shift how people live in their homes, or if it’s more about the look.
Funny you mention that—I've noticed the same thing with sunlight exposing every little flaw. Sometimes I wonder if more light actually makes us more critical of our spaces, or if it just helps us appreciate them differently. About the bump-out, do you feel like it changed how you arrange your furniture or spend time in that room? I’ve seen people add a nook or a window seat and suddenly that’s where everyone gravitates, but other times it just becomes extra square footage that doesn’t really get used. Did you find yourself using the space in new ways, or did it mostly just change the vibe? I’m always curious whether these kinds of changes actually shift daily routines, or if it’s more about the initial excitement and aesthetics.
Sometimes I wonder if more light actually makes us more critical of our spaces, or if it just helps us appreciate them differently.
Funny, I had the same worry before we did our bump-out. Honestly, it did make me notice dust and scuffs more, but it also made the room feel way more inviting. We put a cheap bench under the new window and now it’s everyone’s favorite reading spot. For us, it really did change how we use the space—worth every penny, even on a tight budget. Sometimes those “extra” spaces end up being the best part of the house.
Letting More Light In: My Experience Adding A Roof Bump-Out
I totally get what you mean about noticing more imperfections once the light pours in. It’s like, suddenly every little dust bunny is auditioning for attention. But honestly, I think that’s just part of living in a space—no room is ever going to be “magazine perfect” all the time, and that’s kind of the charm, right? The fact that your new window bench has become the go-to reading spot says a lot about how much the vibe shifted.
I’ve seen this happen with clients too. People worry they’ll regret letting in more light because it might highlight flaws, but nine times out of ten, they end up loving how much more alive their rooms feel. Natural light just does something to a space—it makes colors pop, plants thrive, and people want to hang out there. Even if you notice a few more scuffs or dust motes, it’s usually outweighed by how much more inviting everything feels.
Funny enough, I had a friend who swore she’d never do skylights because she didn’t want to see every speck of dust on her floors. She finally caved after seeing how much brighter her neighbor’s place looked. Now she jokes that she cleans more often but doesn’t mind because she actually enjoys being in the room.
It’s easy to get hung up on the little things we notice when something changes, but sometimes those changes open up new ways to enjoy our homes. Sounds like your bump-out did exactly that. And hey, if it gets everyone reading together in one spot? That’s a win in my book... dust bunnies and all.
“People worry they’ll regret letting in more light because it might highlight flaws, but nine times out of ten, they end up loving how much more alive their rooms feel.”
Totally agree with this, though I’ll admit there’s a learning curve. I had a client who hated her old, dim living room—until we added a roof bump-out and some big windows. Sure, she noticed more dust at first, but after a month she didn’t even mention it. She was too busy rearranging furniture to chase the sunbeams and picking out new plants. Sometimes you trade a little extra cleaning for a space that actually feels good to be in. The mood shift is real.
