When designing a home, we always try to locate the master bedroom, the kitchen/breakfast area, and a veranda, terrace or deck to capture the morning sun. It is well proven that waking up to the morning sun and having breakfast in a sunny room or sunny outdoor area can improve your lifestyle. This is not just psychological or a matter of Feng Shui. It’s scientific!
Exposure to sunlight increases the brain’s release of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone responsible for helping you feel sleepy. A good dose of sunlight in the morning will ensure your serotonin levels are high enough by the end of the day to achieve a good night’s sleep. As around 90% of serotonin ends up in the GI tract, where it is used to regulate intestinal movements the right amount of sunlight can help keep you regular. Having adequate levels of serotonin can improve your mood, healing from sickness, appetite, memory and learning.
With the busy lifestyle most of us lead today there seems to be little opportunity to sit around for a couple of hours each morning soaking up the sun to kick start our serotonin levels. With good design however, we can ensure that typical morning activities of breakfast, getting the kids ready for school, etc. can be carried out in a sunny environment. With a good veranda or deck also facing east you can now justify that long drawn out weekend breakfast with the Sunday paper. It’s good for you!
If you are planning to build or renovate your home you might be wondering what side of the master bedroom should the bed head be, what the best layout is for your kitchen, or what is the best shape for the veranda. We know! So, contact NPAA. We’re ready to help and share many of our other “secrets” about great architecture.