It's been a long day, so we hope you'll forgive us for staring out the window and getting lost in the view. For many years, studies have proven that natural light can give us a significant psychological and physical boost, but recent papers are kicking it up a notch, with evidence that views can be equally important.
Psychology Today, green building groups, and architects have all argued for the impact of a good view on well-being. So, when you're feeling low, take a break and look out the window.
From Psychology Today: Research shows that pausing to view scenes of nature actually helps us to refocus our attention, and people who sit near windows are healthier, happier, more tolerant, and more enthusiastic toward work. One study found that prisoners whose cells offered views of nature were sick 24 percent less frequently than others.
There's nothing that works like the real thing, but if you're lacking a view, you can try full-spectrum lighting, hanging artwork, and sunlight substitutes to improve your space.
SHOWN ABOVE
• Jordan's Small Space Big View
• Sunset Cabin on Lake Simca, Ontario by Taylor Smyth Architects
• Outpost by Tom Kundig, Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen Architects
• Erie and Kingsbury on the Park by Lucien Lagrange
• James and Rui's LVL Home
Photos: Jordan, Taylor Smyth Architects, Tim Bies / Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen, Lucien Lagrance Architects, Traci Roloff
© 2010 Apartment Therapy
Damn. We don't have a view OR sunlight.
view CallDoctorBison's profile
Wow. Gorgeous, all of them.
view gettingthere's profile
I have a valley view with mountains in the distance and full sun thanks to a southern exposure and lots of windows.
But seeing many of the houses in AT, like these, make me depressed a bit. :-)
view Poster's profile
After living in an apartment with a panoramic city view for the past 15 years, I can't imagine what it would be like to live someplace without a great view again...
view bepsf's profile
When we looked for a house last year, view was the first requirement. Now we can see a huge expanse of water, islands, mountains, glaciers, sailboats, cruiseships... who cares what the house looks like.
view ladymantle's profile
When I lived in Tacoma, Wa we had a view of the water the mountains, and, on a clear day, Mt. Rainier. It was incredibly uplifting and soothing. It's my dream to live on a body of water with a view like that again someday.
view mlleErica's profile
Yes! This is why we're about to add more large windows in our south-facing walls. We don't have a majestic view, but we do have a nice backyard with tall trees. After dealing with the corporate rat race all day, it's very soothing to have that light and the green view.
view heather77's profile
I wonder if I could convince the local grump in my office to grab a cubicle near the window :P
We don't have a lot of windows in our apartment but they all face the backyard and the privacy bamboo fence. As much as I hate invasive plants like bamboo I'm really glad that I get to look out at a nice expanse of greenery instead of my neighbors backyard and patio.
view Rolen the Great's profile
Definitely true. I concentrate way better when I use my laptop on my bed (next to the window) instead of my desk.
Too bad the battery life is too short (when I have music on) to do anything for very long.
view ryttu3k's profile
I love the views from that apt in the lagrange building in chicago.
view beddybee's profile