Natural light is one of the simplest ways to transform a home’s look, feel and function. It can open up a room, boost your mood, and help reduce electricity use. Installing a skylight is one of the most effective ways to invite more light in, but choosing the right skylight for the right space is key. Not all skylights perform the same, and not every room has the same lighting needs.
Unlike traditional skylights that often require multiple installations to properly brighten the home, Solatube’s tubular skylight technology delivers maximum daylight with minimal impact. Our innovative design captures and redirects sunlight efficiently, meaning fewer skylights are needed to brighten your home, even in areas that would typically remain dim. With flexible installation options and technology that prevents unwanted heat gain or loss, Solatube makes it easy to bring natural light into every corner of your home.
In this guide, we’ll help you determine the best place to install a skylight in your home. We’ll walk you through room-by-room recommendations, orientation tips, and key design considerations to help you make the most of natural daylight.
Factors to Consider Before Choosing Skylight Placement
Before choosing your skylight placement, it is important to determine what you want to achieve with it, where you want it placed and the location of your home.
Purpose of the Skylight
It is important to ask yourself why you want to install a skylight in your home.
Is it to bring in more daylight? Are you wanting to create a visual impact? These are all questions that can help determine the type of skylight that’s right for your home.
At Solatube, our daylighting systems are engineered to maximise natural light in even the darkest areas of your home. With many fixtures to choose from, you can trust that our skylights are both practical and will elevate the home’s aesthetics.
Room Size, Roof Type & Ceiling Space
The room size, roof type and ceiling space will determine the type of skylight you need for the home to achieve the ideal results. For example, traditional skylights are often limited by where they can be placed on the roof. This means that smaller spaces, such as hallways or bathrooms, might be difficult to install a skylight in. Equally, for a large room, you may need multiple traditional skylights to maximise the amount of light in the home.
Solatube’s compact tubular design is adaptable to many roof types, making installation simple and efficient without sacrificing performance. The tubular reflective technology maximises daylight, ensuring your living areas are illuminated.
Sun Orientation
In Australia, the direction your roof faces determines the amount of sunlight coming into your home. For example, roofs facing north receive consistent sunlight year-round, while east-facing roofs enjoy morning light and west-facing roofs capture afternoon sun. Homes with south-facing roofs, however, tend to receive softer, ambient light, which can leave interiors feeling darker and less inviting.
This, however, is not an issue when choosing Solatube’s skylight. Our optimal dome technology captures daylight and channels it through the light shaft to deliver bright, natural light into your home, no matter which way your home is oriented.
Best Rooms to Install a Solatube Skylight
Wondering where a skylight will make the biggest difference? Here’s how skylight placement illuminates different parts of your home.
Hallways
Hallways are often windowless and narrow, resulting in a poorly lit environment. Adding Solatube’s tubular skylight is the perfect solution as they are compact and maximise the amount of light in the small space, reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Bathrooms & Ensuites
Bringing natural light into bathrooms and ensuites creates an inviting environment, perfect for everyday use and grooming. Homes with skylights in the bathroom can also incorporate plants, which is great for regulating humidity.
Kitchens
Installing skylights in the kitchen is essential for meal prep and cooking. Solatube skylights can be strategically placed over benches, islands or sinks to deliver natural daylight when needed most.
Living Areas
Illuminating living areas with natural daylighting systems not only creates a welcoming home environment but also boosts mood. Solatube offers a wide range of decorative fixtures to perfectly blend into your home’s decor.
Laundries, Pantries, Walk-in Robes
These smaller, often overlooked rooms benefit massively from added daylight. Solatube’s skylights allow for easy installation into tight spaces, improving functionality and visibility.
Stairwells
Bringing light into stairways improves the safety and style of your home. By choosing Solatube skylights, they ensure even light distribution without a harsh glare.
Can Skylights Go in Any Roof or Ceiling Type?
Traditional skylights are often restricted by the type and roof structure. However, Solatube’s advanced tubular technology is designed to work with both pitched and flat roofs, whether they’re made from metal or tile. Our flexible extension tubing makes it easy to bring natural light into even the hardest-to-reach spaces.
Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Skylight Placement
As leading experts in daylighting systems, here are our top tips for getting the most out of your skylight placement.
Use Multiple Skylights in Long or Large Rooms
While a single Solatube skylight provides excellent light dispersion, using multiple skylights can maximise natural daylight in longer or larger rooms like open-plan kitchens or living areas. Thanks to Solatube’s advanced technology, you’ll enjoy even, balanced light throughout the space, without harsh glare or dark spots.
For the best results in larger living areas, we recommend installing a couple of Solatube skylights. Not sure how many you need? Read our guide on how many skylights you need.
Pair with Accessories
At Solatube, we offer different systems, accessories and decorative fixtures for you to get the most out of your skylight. Whether you want a daylight control or night light system, we have a range for you to choose from. Our skylights also come with different decorative fixtures, so they perfectly match the aesthetics of your home. If you are unsure which option to choose, take a look at our skylight selection guide or reach out to us for more information.
Avoid Placing Over TV or Screen Areas
Placing skylights directly over the TV or screened areas can cause unwanted glare or reflections. It is best to plan your skylight placement based on the room’s current layout, or select Solatube’s daylight control system that allows you to adjust how much light comes into the home.
Optimal Roof Positioning
For the best performance, we recommend installing your Solatube skylight on a due north elevation of the roof, as this captures the most consistent and abundant daylight throughout the day. However, north-east and north-west orientations are also highly effective and can deliver excellent results, particularly for morning or afternoon light.
Solatube’s tubular daylighting technology is designed to work effectively in a range of roof positions. That means roof orientation doesn’t have to be a limitation. If you’re unsure about the best placement for your space, our experienced premium dealers can help you find the most effective positioning.
Choosing the perfect skylight placement can make all the difference in your home. With Solatube’s advanced technology and flexible design options, you have more possibilities than ever before. From hallways and bathrooms to kitchens and stairwells, our daylighting systems help you create a healthier, more beautiful home filled with natural light.
Ready to brighten up your space?
Get in touch with our team or contact your closest Solatube Premier Dealer today for expert advice and a free quote.
