8 Times Skylights Helped a Space Go from Drab to Fab

We’ll be turning back our clocks in one week, meaning our evenings are about to be darker, earlier. So, can you really blame us for digging through the WL archives to find some bright spaces? With strategically placed skylights, these eight homes are prepared to keep the winter blues at bay.

Six Pack

This North Vancouver home, owned by Rafael Santa Ana of RSAAW, has six skylights that let the natural light pour in. But they also do so much more than that—every window is triple-glazed for maximum energy efficiency. “We know better than to be nonchalant about the environment,” says the architect. Check out the rest of this stunning post-and-beam home.

Picture Window

Artwork is often illuminated by picture lights, but not this Vancouver Island home. The team at Falken Reynolds used a strategically placed skylight in the stairwell to help put a spotlight on a piece from Victoria-based artist Joe Coffey. Tour this minimalist art-filled oceanfront retreat in Cadboro Bay.

Glass House

How big can a skylight get before you have to start calling it a glass roof? This one was expanded to be the entire length of the kitchen! “We wanted to create a connection between the modern house and nature that is ever-present,” says designer Tanja Hinder of Marrimor, who worked with architecture firm Frits de Vries to create this bright and functional space. Learn more about this sweeping skylight.

Bathing Beauty

Everything in this bathroom makes it look big and bright. The window is extra large (6-by-5 feet) and the mirrors over the vanities were taken up to the ceiling to bounce and reflect light. And of course, the skylight positioned over the cast iron soaker tub also helps. “We use skylights so often, especially in Vancouver where it tends to be grey,” says designer Susan Barstow. “They’re really not that expensive, given what they achieve. Get more bathroom design tips.

Shack Attack

It’s hard to believe that this cool hangout space was once a grungy garage. “It was gnarly,” says Todd Talbot. Still, the realtor and host of HGTV’s Love It or List It saw potential. After straightening the walls and pouring an epoxy floor, he installed skylights, a tongue-and-groove ceiling and French doors that open right onto the lawn. “We could’ve knocked it down and built something bigger, but for the cost and time, it was way more effective to breathe new life into something that was already there.” Peek inside this backyard hideaway.

Expert Panel

Due to height restrictions, the ceilings in this Nanoose Bay home were capped at eight feet—save for the double-vaulted ceiling in the main living space. So designer Lindsay Steele made the most of it. By adding fir paneling and a skylight that allows the sunshine to trickle in, the room has a serious wow-factor. See more of this Vancouver Island residence.

Wind Tunnel

The windows in this Campos Studio-designed home are all shapes and sizes, including squares, rhombuses and circles. There’s even one that wraps around a corner—plus three skylights. They all allow natural light to stream in, but also serve a second purpose: open the three skylights up top and a window on the bottom level, and the whole house naturally ventilates. Explore this quirky, asymmetrical laneway house.

Sun Seeker

Chad Falkenberg and Kelly Renolds worked closely with Hotson Architecture to build this home for former NHL player Dan Hamhuis. Being involved in the early stages gave the designers intimate control over the space planning—they were even able to do sun studies, watching where the light hits the site so they could place windows to capture it in the most optimal way. Hence this skylight in the stairwell. Check out the rest of this sprawling lakefront home.