Welcome back, home decor enthusiasts and renovation dreamers! I’m thrilled to share an exhilarating update from our One Room Challenge journey this week, straight from our beloved #thecottagebungalow. After returning from North Carolina, I couldn’t wait to dive into this post, because, friends, a monumental house dream has finally come true!
Prepare yourselves, because the words “natural light in our bathroom” are no longer just a wish – they are a beautiful, beaming reality! You can almost hear the celebratory music and see the happy dance unfolding in our newly illuminated space. This isn’t just about adding light; it’s about transforming an entire atmosphere.
The Long-Awaited Dream: A Flood of Natural Light in Our Bathroom
Since the very day we moved into #thecottagebungalow and began envisioning its potential, a skylight in the bathroom consistently topped our wish list for home improvements. Our bathroom, though charming, suffered from a common small-space dilemma: a lack of natural light. It often felt dim, enclosed, and, frankly, a bit stagnant, even with artificial lighting. The idea of waking up to sunshine pouring into the space, or enjoying a breath of fresh air during a morning routine, seemed like a distant luxury.
That’s why I am beyond ecstatic to announce our partnership with Velux, the world-renowned leader in skylight technology, to bring this long-held dream to life. Their expertise and innovative products have made what once seemed like a complex renovation project an exciting and achievable transformation.
Partnering with Excellence: Why Velux Was the Clear Choice
My journey with Velux began months ago, a casual scroll through Instagram leading me to discover their stunning products. Intrigued, I immediately delved into their website to research the brand and their diverse offerings. It quickly became clear: Velux stands unparalleled in the skylight industry. Their reputation for quality, durability, and cutting-edge design is truly global, making them the obvious choice for such a significant addition to our home.
When undertaking a major home improvement like a skylight installation, it’s crucial to partner with a company that not only provides superior products but also exceptional service and guidance. Velux ticked all these boxes, instilling confidence in every step of the process.
From Concept to Reality: The Velux Consultation and Design Process
Our collaboration with Velux commenced with an invaluable in-home consultation from their local sales team. This initial assessment is paramount, especially when working with an older home like ours. There are several critical factors to consider before installing a skylight, chief among them being structural integrity. We needed to ensure our home could physically and safely accommodate the desired modification without compromising its foundational elements.
After confirming the structural viability, we moved to the exciting phase of product and placement selection. Our initial vision involved a grander design – a vaulted ceiling extending the entire space. However, during the attic inspection, we discovered an existing HVAC unit that posed a challenge to our original plan. This is where the true expertise of the Velux team shone through. They collaboratively developed an ingenious design solution that not only maximized natural light output but also introduced an interesting architectural detail to the space, creating a visual focal point that elevates the entire bathroom aesthetic.
Introducing the Velux Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight: A Masterclass in Innovation
Choosing the right skylight for our bathroom was about more than just aesthetics and bringing in light. We needed a solution that offered enhanced functionality, particularly in addressing the common challenges of a small, windowless bathroom: ventilation and moisture control. The Velux Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight emerged as the perfect, comprehensive choice.
Unpacking Key Features & Benefits: Why This Skylight is a Game-Changer
- Solar Power: Sustainable & Seamless Integration: This feature is a marvel of modern home technology. The skylight operates entirely on solar power, utilizing sunlight to charge its integrated battery system. This not only makes it incredibly energy-efficient, contributing to lower utility bills and a smaller carbon footprint, but also eliminates the need for complex electrical wiring. For a renovation, especially in an older home, this means a simpler, quicker, and less invasive installation process, preserving the integrity of existing structures while embracing sustainable living.
- Effortless Control: The Convenience of Remote Operation: Imagine controlling your bathroom’s ambiance with the touch of a button. Our Velux skylight comes with a convenient remote control, allowing us to easily open and close it as desired. This effortless operation is a luxury, providing immediate access to fresh air or sealing off the elements without any manual effort.
- Revolutionizing Bathroom Ventilation: Beyond Just Light: One of the most significant problems we faced in this bathroom was persistent moisture and inadequate ventilation. Its small footprint, complete lack of windows, and an aging, barely functional exhaust fan created a perfect storm for humidity and potential mold growth. The ability to open our Velux Fresh Air Skylight and allow a constant flow of fresh air is truly transformative. It actively combats moisture buildup, dissipates odors, and dramatically improves indoor air quality, making the space feel incredibly clean and, quite literally, refreshing. This feature alone elevates the bathroom from a problematic area to a sanctuary of freshness and natural comfort.
- Intelligent Design: Rain Sensor for Peace of Mind: Velux has truly thought of everything. Our skylight includes an innovative, integrated rain sensor that automatically closes the unit at the first sign of rain. This intelligent technology offers unparalleled peace of mind, ensuring that our home remains protected from the elements even if we forget to close the skylight ourselves. It’s a testament to Velux’s commitment to thoughtful, user-friendly design.
- The Velux Promise: Unwavering Durability and Warranty: Investing in a skylight is a long-term decision, and Velux stands firmly behind its products. Their “No Leak Skylights” come with an impressive 10-year installation warranty, a robust 20-year warranty on the glass, 10 years on the product itself, and five years on blinds and controls. This comprehensive coverage speaks volumes about the quality and confidence Velux places in its engineering, assuring homeowners of a reliable, leak-free performance for years to come.
Customizable Comfort: Integrated Blinds for Optimal Light Control
Beyond its core functionalities, our Velux skylight also offers the practical benefit of integrated blinds. These aren’t just an afterthought; they’re an essential component for optimal light control and privacy. Homeowners can choose between blackout or light-filtering options, tailoring the ambiance to their exact preferences. Furthermore, Velux offers these blinds in a wide array of colors and even some patterned styles, ensuring they seamlessly integrate with any interior design scheme while providing crucial sun protection and privacy when needed.
Designing with the “Fifth Wall”: Elevating Small Spaces
One design principle I constantly advocate for, especially in small spaces, is to effectively utilize every available surface. Too often, people overlook the “fifth wall”—the ceiling. The ceiling offers incredible potential for creating fantastic design moments and making a space feel larger and more intentional. In areas like small bathrooms, where traditional window installations might be impossible or impractical due to structural constraints or privacy concerns, looking upwards and installing a skylight is an absolute no-brainer. It serves as a vital natural light source, a design feature, and an essential ventilation solution, all in one. Walking into our bathroom now and seeing so much natural light pouring in is genuinely breathtaking; it transforms the space from merely functional to truly inspiring. If you’ve ever contemplated adding a skylight to your home, I wholeheartedly recommend finding a certified Velux installer in your area and scheduling a consultation. Velux also offers Sun Tunnel Skylights, which are an excellent option for bringing diffused natural light into almost any interior space, even those without direct roof access.
The Installation Journey: From Rough Opening to Finishing Touches
The past week saw significant progress on the installation front. Our dedicated team completed the crucial framing and structural work for the skylight. Tomorrow, they will move on to the drywall installation and begin the intricate finishing details. We strategically decided to leave the ceiling open around the skylight for a bit longer, allowing our electrician easy access to relocate and update the existing lighting fixtures and the exhaust fan, ensuring everything is perfectly integrated and up to modern standards.
One Room Challenge Update: The Race to the Finish Line
Alright, friends, we’re officially halfway through the One Room Challenge, and as I look around at the multitude of tasks still awaiting completion, I won’t lie—I might be experiencing a tiny bit of panic. And by “a tiny bit,” I definitely mean an awful lot! This challenge is a true test of planning, execution, and nerve, but the results, especially with game-changers like our new Velux skylight, are always worth it. Stay tuned for next week’s update, where I hope to share more progress and less frantic energy.
In the meantime, make sure you head over and check out this week’s inspiring updates from my fellow ORC featured designers. Their creativity and dedication are truly motivating:
At Home with Ashley | Brepurposed | Dabito | The English Room | Erin Kestenbaum
Harlow & Thistle | House of Brinson | J & J Design | Kelly Golightly | Linda Holt
Megan Bachmann | Michelle Gage | Mimosa Lane | Murphy Deesign | Vestige Home
Old Home Love | me| Shay Geyer | Sita Montgomery | SMP Living
Media Partner Better Homes & Gardens | TM by ORC
*This post is a proud partnership with Velux. All thoughts, design decisions, and opinions expressed are authentically my own.