Summer 2025 brings exciting home design trends focused on natural light, biophilic design and comfort-enhancing upgrades. These trends address the growing demand for homes that connect to nature, enhance well-being and create bright, inviting spaces that inspire comfort and creativity. To gain insight into how to bring more natural light into your client’s homes, we spoke with experts from Cornerstone Building Brands, Marvin, Pella, and VELUX.
Photo Credit: Marvin
Natural Light is In This Summer
More than ever, homeowners are treating natural light as a core design element that adds warmth, depth and a sense of openness to their spaces. Natural light plays a central role in shaping the atmosphere of a home, enhancing both its design and the mood of those who live there.
Optimizing the amount of natural light that enters the home highlights the design aesthetic and is known to improve the mood and well-being of homeowners.
– Kate Land, Vice President of Product and Innovation, Cornerstone Building Brands
Biophilic design, an everlasting trend for warmer months, is all about deepening your client’s connection to nature by thoughtfully integrating natural elements into their space
Larger expanses of glass and interior glass walls are being used to maintain sightlines, natural light and a sense of openness without compromising functionality or flexibility. The result is a space that feels in tune with its surroundings, no matter the season.
[Biophilic] style helps create a calm, relaxing feel and can even improve air quality and well-being for homeowners. Biophilic design provides a great chance to incorporate features like living walls, natural materials, or better natural lighting setups through windows and skylights.
– Kat Wiseman, Inbound Marketing Coordinator, VELUX
Windows, doors and skylights are an essential bridge between indoors and out, inviting in natural light, framing views of nature and helping homeowners experience the full benefits of the natural world every day.
Photo Credit: Cornerstone Building Brands
The Role of Windows
The need for more light makes windows more than just architectural features. They’re essential for creating bright, uplifting interiors. Streamlined window frames with larger glass areas and grouped window configurations can dramatically increase the amount of light that enters the home.
Homeowners continue to prefer larger expanses of glass when selecting new windows and doors, which allow for seamless connections to the outdoors while also creating flexibility indoors.
– Christine Marvin, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Marvin
In addition, modern windows can offer aesthetic versatility. Black or minimal-profile frames and floor-to-ceiling window walls are also popular choices for Summer 2025. These styles help create visual drama while maximizing natural light and views, especially in living rooms, kitchens and stairwells.
Photo Credit: Cornerstone Building Brands
How Doors Change the Space
As mentioned, the biophilic design philosophy helps create calm, restorative environments that make the home feel more grounded and alive. It incorporates everything from abundant natural light and indoor greenery and organic colors to wood finishes and open-air layouts.
Earthy neutrals like olive, terracotta, sand and ivory have made significant highlights for both a home’s interior and exterior.
– Elizabeth Flaspohler, Senior Copywriter, Pella
When it comes to doors, multi-panel patio systems are a great way to maximize natural light. Many homeowners are opting for sliding or folding doors that open wide to patios or decks, creating seamless transitions for entertaining or relaxing. Multi-track doors in particular can brighten interiors and connect homes more directly to the outdoors.
As demand for indoor-outdoor living grows, these door options do more than let in light; they physically expand the living space, reinforcing the connection between inside and out.
Photo Credit: VELUX
Opening Up to Skylights
Bringing light into unexpected places can enhance livability and comfort. Skylights are a popular solution for brightening windowless rooms like bathrooms and kitchens, while also improving air flow and reducing humidity.
Skylights can also help reduce reliance on artificial lighting during the day, particularly in central parts of the home where traditional windows can’t reach. Popular placements include hallways, closets, stairwells and even garages since these areas can be greatly enhanced by natural light.
With new home sizes shrinking construction homes trending smaller and homeowners staying in starter homes longer, skylights increasingly allow homeowners to harness more natural light in their spaces regardless of their home’s physical footprint.
– Christine Marvin, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Marvin
Photo Credit: Marvin
Smart Tech & Functionality
Homeowners are increasingly investing in upgrades that maximize the potential of their existing homes. Instead of spending on bigger houses, dining out, or travel, many are choosing to create intentional, fulfilling living spaces focused on comfort and functionality. This shift opens the door for impactful features that enhance daily life.
And, as light-filled homes grow in popularity, so does the need for control. Window and skylight shades are a must-have for Summer 2025, offering stylish ways to manage sunlight without sacrificing aesthetics. Available in sleek materials and smart-control options, shades soften glare, reduce heat and maintain a clean, contemporary look.
Many homeowners are even opting for integrated solutions like built-in blinds or shades for easier light control, improved energy efficiency, and hassle-free cleaning. Layering treatments, such as pairing blackout shades between the glass with lighter exterior fabrics, are also a popular strategy to keep light levels balanced and customizable throughout the day. It’s a simple yet impactful way to allow your clients to enjoy the beauty of natural light on their own terms.
Summer is peak season for wanting to control the light in a home. Homeowners are paying special attention to how light changes throughout the day and what they need to do to be comfortable — which means they are paying special attention to windows and doors and how they balance light for plants or personal circadian rhythms.
– Elizabeth Flaspohler, Senior Copywriter, Pella
Photo Credit: VELUX
Emphasize Energy Efficiency
Today’s top design trends don’t just look good; they also support energy efficiency. Smart choices like energy-efficient windows, layouts that maximize sunlight and durable materials help lower utility bills while making homes feel brighter, healthier and more comfortable.
Homeowners desire a connection to the outside but also want their home to be comfortable and to minimize energy costs. High-quality WDMA Hallmark certified windows and doors can be configured to provide ideal energy performance wherever you live in the country.
– Kate Land, Vice President of Product and Innovation, Cornerstone Building Brands
Use the Right Products
Whether installing skylights, designing cozy outdoor retreats, or recommending thoughtful upgrades, helping homeowners fall in love with their current space starts with embracing natural light. By maximizing sunlight and bringing the outdoors in, you create spaces that enhance daily living and feel not just timely, but timeless.
Discover how WDMA trusted Manufacturers can elevate your Summer 2025 projects: https://www.openuptoperformance.com/manufacturers/
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