Upgrade A Windowless Room With A Clever Way To Simulate The Sun

In busier, metropolitan cities, apartments that tick all the boxes may be tricky to come by. You might find a great spot in an ideal location, only to realize that your window is directly across from a massive wall that blocks all your light. While this is oddly specific, there are plenty of other home and apartment designs that mean certain rooms don't get as much natural light as you may want. If knocking down a wall (and a whole building, in the case above) is out of the question, and faux lights just aren't doing it for you, there may be a way to "replicate" the sun with a very clever DIY. You will still be using artificial light, but in a unique way that may almost help you forget you're not near a real window. Using glass bricks and unique lighting tricks, you can simulate natural times of day in any room.

In recent years, there has been some chatter about whether or not glass block windows are out of style. However, they are still very much a thing and are actually very easy to find. For example, stores like Lowe's sell glass bricks starting at just over $7. Before you start your glass block wall, you will need to measure out the area in the room where you plan to build it. You will also need either string lights or a sun imitation light like the Balkwan Sunset Lamp Projection, which will go behind the glass bricks to create the "natural light" effect. You can either go floor to ceiling, or even just a half wall effect, gradually adding less bricks from the bottom up to leave some of your original wall or room exposed. If you're working on a budget, choose a smaller area to build around, as the bricks can add up.

Using glass block mortar, you can begin stacking and securing your bricks together. Make sure to save space behind the glass wall, as you will need to hang the lighting there or store any lamps that will create your sun. Depending on how much space you have to cover, you may need a wood beam or two to add extra support along the wall, and it could be worth considering investing in a double-sided track system to help keep the blocks in place. These come with brackets and track spacers for a cleaner finish. For an easier version of this DIY, it might be worth doing a smaller section of wall and using wood to create a pocket or closet style window that remains open on one side, allowing you access and less work.

Use your shorter pieces of track between each block you place down, securing both the track and glass with the mortar or silicon caulk. Allow your wall to dry, then if you've opted for leaving an opening between the glass wall and your regular wall, use hooks to hang several rolls of string lights. Choose remote-operated brands that also allow you to change the color. This way, you can adjust the lighting depending on the time of day to get the feeling of natural light in your home. If you decide to use the projection lamp, place this on a box or small table to elevate it so it shows through the glass. This is such a smart way to brighten up a dark room and gives you a unique aesthetic, too.