Testimonials

How to brighten up a dark studio? Testimonial from Caroline in Paris

Finding a studio in Paris is a challenge, but for Caroline, a young model, the real challenge lay elsewhere: how to brighten up a dark studio? Discover her simple and effective tip for bringing more natural light into her home with a Daylight Reflector!

 

Fiche projet

  • Customer: Caroline, tenant of her apartme
  • Project: brighten up a dark studio
  • City: Paris
  • Espaciel model installed: Terrace Reflector
Caroline enjoys natural light on her terrace

Background to the situation

When you move to Paris, finding accommodation in a good location and in good condition is often an obstacle course. Caroline, a young model at the start of her career, was lucky enough to find a studio apartment right in the center of town, with a courtyard and even a small private terrace. But one problem persisted: lack of light. Located on the first floor, her studio remained dark at all hours of the day, making the space less pleasant to live in.
How do you brighten up a dark studio? Determined to brighten up her interior without undertaking major renovation work, Caroline discovered an innovative solution: the daylight reflector. In this article, she shares her experience and reveals how she succeeded in transforming her studio into a brighter, warmer space.

 

The light from the sky illuminates the terrace despite the very narrow configuration of the inner courtyard.

 

Looking for a solution

Caroline’s studio opens onto a terrace located in the building’s inner courtyard, a multi-storey building that blocks direct access to the sun’s rays.
However, the light from the sky remains abundant, illuminating the studio’s terrace throughout the day. This phenomenon, known as zenithal lighting, results from the vertical movement of natural light. This principle also explains the effectiveness of roof windows such as Velux.
Despite the presence of this zenithal light, it does not penetrate Caroline’s studio. The French window, positioned on a vertical plane, is not ideal for capturing the light that falls directly from the sky. For geometric reasons, conventional openings are not sufficient to fully exploit this natural light source.
As a result, natural light literally falls from the sky and stops on the terrace, without entering the main room.
To brighten up her dark studio, Caroline turned to Espaciel. This innovative solution consists of installing a reflective surface that captures light from the sky and projects it inside. This device allows a dark studio to be illuminated with natural light, whatever the weather conditions. Sky light is always present, with intensities ranging from 1000 lux in rainy weather to 6000 lux under sunny skies.
Daylight reflector operating diagram

 

Espaciel solution

To address the lack of light in Caroline’s dark studio, the solution chosen was the installation of a Espaciel Terrace Reflector. Designed to capture natural light and redirect it efficiently into the rooms, this device was identified as the best option.

 

The terrace Reflector installed in front of the French window in Caroline’s studio
The Espaciel reflector is positioned on Caroline’s private terrace, opposite the French window. It’s easy to install, and requires no work whatsoever. Thanks to its ultra-reflective surface, it captures zenithal light from the courtyard and redirects it into the main room. Natural light, previously lost on the terrace, is now used to illuminate the dark studio.

 

This choice offers several advantages:
Immediate effectiveness: as soon as it’s installed, the reflector instantly transforms the interior.
Fields of vision: The mirror effect of the Reflector gives a view of the sky, which is pleasant and relaxing.
Aesthetics: the reflector’s discreet design blends harmoniously into the outdoor space.
Durability: Made from hard-wearing materials, it offers long-lasting performance without special maintenance.

 

The Espaciel reflector lets you light up a dark studio, even without direct sunlight.

 

Results obtained

The installation of the daylight reflector completely transformed the atmosphere in Caroline’s studio. Before the intervention, the room was dark, even in the middle of the day, making it an unwelcoming space. After the installation, natural light became a central feature of her apartment.

 

Caroline’s dark studio is now illuminated by the soft, natural light of the sky.
Measurements taken with a luxmeter revealed a significant increase in brightness: from 50 lux before installation to over 200 lux afterwards, even on cloudy days. This gain in natural light not only improves visual comfort, but also Caroline’s daily well-being.

 

Measurement of effect with and without reflector. Light entering the French window increases from 57 lux to 202 lux
In terms of feeling, Caroline testifies: “The change is incredible! My studio feels bigger, more welcoming, and I’m finally taking full advantage of my terrace.”
This experience illustrates how a simple, effective solution can transform a living space, even under unfavorable initial conditions. Today, Caroline recommends the Réflecteur Espaciel to her friends who are looking for more light in their homes. If you too would like to brighten up a dark studio, take advantage of Caroline’s experience and equip yourself with a Daylight Reflector.
Alexi

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