Jessica McGurn, who blogs about DIY projects and interior design at BrightGreenDoor.com, updated the kitchen in her Brookfield, WI, home shortly after moving in. She configured the cabinets and painted them black, added modern hardware and laid down a vintage rug, but the room still lacked oomph. If only it had more natural light.

Enter skylights — two to be exact — positioned in between the island and the back wall cabinets. With natural light streaming in from above, those black cabinets proudly frame the space and reveal the details in the rug. And with white light-filtering shades, that sunlight can be diffused if needed. The skylights are solar-powered, fresh air models, size M04 (30 1/16" W x 37 7/8" H).