How VELUX can help your home towards a fresher, brighter winter

(Image credit: VELUX)

As the days grow darker, shorter, and colder, our homes become our havens. They’re where we curl up, stay cosy, and light candles. However, the more we try to stay indoors and create a warm and relaxing environment, the unhealthier our homes could become.

Research from VELUX shows that we’re spending up to 90% of our time indoors and while that might sound cosy, it can sometimes leave us feeling sluggish, tired, or even unwell. It’s not just in our heads either, studies reveal that the quality of the air and light in our homes can have a real impact on our physical and mental wellbeing.

The hidden side of hibernation

If you’ve ever felt drowsy or irritable after a day indoors, you’re not alone. Many of us don’t realise how much the quality of light and air in our homes affects our wellbeing. When we spend a lot of time in rooms with poor ventilation or limited natural light, we can feel the physical and mental effects.

The report also found that over half of Britons say poor ventilation or excessive heat affects their comfort and sleep. Yet only 11% of us have made changes at home to tackle it. Many of us simply open a window for a few minutes, turn up the heating, or adapt our behaviour, rather than making our homes healthier in the first place.

Why daylight and fresh air matter so much

Many people often forget how much natural light and fresh air can improve our homes. Sunlight is known to help regulate our body clock, boost our mood, and sharpen focus, which I think we can all agree we need on a grey winter day. VELUX findings indicate that a third of people link natural light directly to improved mood and wellbeing, and more than half of renters say they’d pay extra for a home with better daylight. If you’re a landlord with old rooflights in your property, consider upgrading to new VELUX roof windows to future-proof your property.

Fresh air plays a big part in creating a healthy home too. A simple breeze can help clear out pollutants and moisture that often build up inside from common home tasks, like cooking and washing. However, when the weather gets colder, our instincts are to seal the doors and windows, which creates condensation and stagnant air. Which can create a whole host of health problems. The VELUX Healthy Building Barometer report reveals that one in four Europeans, around 30 million people, live in buildings where indoor air quality falls below national standards (BPIE, 2024). So, taking small steps to improve airflow really does make a difference.

What can you do to breathe easier and feel brighter?

One of the simplest ways to refresh your indoor environment is to bring more natural light and air into your home, even during winter. Opening your windows regularly helps to remove stale air, while letting daylight in can instantly lift the atmosphere of a room. It’s a small act of self-care that has real benefits for energy, focus, and even sleep.

It’s also helpful if you can make use of the natural light that hits the top of your home. A good example is VELUX roof windows. Thoughtfully designed to make homes brighter, fresher, and healthier, they maximise daylight and encourage gentle, natural airflow all year round. By reducing condensation and improving air circulation, they help regulate temperature and keep your home feeling clean and comfortable. And because they’re energy-efficient, you can enjoy that fresh-air feeling without compromising warmth.

VELUX roof windows don’t just transform the look of a space; they change how it feels to live in. More light. More air. More you.

What about an upgrade?

If your roof windows are a little older, VELUX makes it easy to explore an upgrade. Their online Replacement Cost Calculator helps you see how simple and affordable it can be to switch to newer, more efficient designs that enhance both comfort and wellbeing. You can find it at www.velux.co.uk/quickquote.

Our homes have a huge impact on how we feel, especially in the colder months. By welcoming more daylight and fresh air into your space, you can boost your mood, energy, and overall sense of wellbeing. This winter, create a home that feels as good as it looks with VELUX roof windows.

Find out more at www.velux.co.uk.

Laura is woman&home's eCommerce editor, in charge of testing, reviewing and creating buying guides for the Homes section, so you'll usually see her testing everything from the best dehumidifiers to sizing up the latest Le Cruset pot. Previously, she was eCommerce editor at Homes & Gardens magazine, where she specialised in covering coffee and product content, looking for pieces tailored for timelessness. The secret to her heart is both simplicity and quality. She is also a qualified Master Perfumer and holds an English degree from Oxford University. Her first editorial job was as Fashion writer for The White Company.