What to consider when installing a skylight in your home

As spring turns the horizon to an iridescent blue, what better architectural feature than a skylight to take advantage of nature’s illumination of a luxury home?

Even the most prestigious addresses can suffer from a lack of natural light, requiring a clever, customised solution. Think of heritage-listed terraces where windows are small or middle rooms are shadowed.

“We created an incredible skylight in a grand terrace that allowed you to stand in the shower and look up and see the sky,” says Eva-Marie Prineas, founder of architectural firm Studio Prineas.

While skylights are especially useful in windowless rooms, they can be transformative in those that could simply benefit from more rays of sunshine, or where the owners want to highlight a botanical view, she says.

“Depending on the function of the room a skylight may be used to bring some diffuse light into a reflective, intimate space or to capture a view of a tree canopy,” she says.

“It can be really beautiful to see how a room is transformed as the sun moves through it during the course of the day.”

Before installing a skylight, defining purpose is key. “Are you looking to maximise daylight and fresh air, or create an architectural feature,” asks Prineas.

Skylight position also needs to be carefully considered, with how the room is furnished affecting placement.

“The architect and the interior designer must work together,” says Alexandra Donohoe Church, founder of interior design studio Decus.

“Skylights naturally shift how we approach colour in a space.

“Lighter ceiling and wall colours can amplify the light, making the room feel brighter and more open. On the other hand, darker tones can create a striking contrast, really playing up the natural light’s impact.

“Materials such as timber and stone can also look their best under natural light.”

Church says skylights have become a staple in luxury homes because they make the space feel larger, more inviting and deeply connected to the outdoors.

“Beyond just aesthetics, they also reduce the need for artificial lighting, which is a win for both the environment and the mood of the room,” she says

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6 Davies Avenue, Vaucluse NSW 2030

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Once a traditional fisherman’s cottage, this home has been transformed by the acclaimed architect Ed Lippmann. Open, gallery-like spaces, soaring double-height ceilings and extensive use of glass create a light-box effect and automated sky windows.