9 Ways to Brighten Your Home This Winter
Dark, damp and dreary days of winter can give your surroundings a drab feeling. To lift spirits and make your home inviting during the colder months, try these tips for brightening up your home.
1. Let There Be Light
The right lighting can have an amazing impact on the way your home “feels”. Lightbulbs come in a variety of tones to complement any decor or mood. Cool or daylight tones can help you brighten your home during the day, mimicking the presence of sunlight, and warm tones like warm white or soft white used in lamps in the evening can give a cozy feel. You can also consider using candles, task lighting, or maybe a brand new fixture to lighten up your home.
2. Colour Your World
There are a million ways to bring colour into your home, but paint is super easy and cost effective. Lighter colours will make your home seem more spacious while pops of colour create interest and a brighter feel. Colour can also be introduced through décor pieces and art.
3. Hygge it Out
Hygge (pronounced hyoo·guh) is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment. In winter we crave this comfort – familiar food, warming drinks, snuggly jumpers and blankets, lots and lots of blankets! The introduction of cushions, throws, and yes, blankets, in floral, gold or pink colourings will give your home that special layered something you didn’t know you wanted.
4. Sparkle and Shine
Spring cleaning is not just for spring. In fact, your home will thank you for a good, deep clean before the winter really sets in. Windows that are free from grime will help to let in the light whilst wiping down all your work surfaces, kitchen cabinets and furniture will give your home a refresh.
5. Clutter Busting
Nothing gives a home a more oppressive and “got to get out of here” feel than clutter – especially when there’s nowhere to go! Make a conscious decision to clear the clutter, then donate, sell or dump those things that have been doing nothing but taking up space.
6. Let the Sunshine In
Open and pull back the curtains early every morning to make the most of the sunlight – nature’s free mood enhancer. Don’t block windows with large items of furniture – in fact, consider moving your furniture around, it can make the space feel brand new and can even help make the most of those treasured sunlight hours in living spaces.
7. Bring Nature Indoors
Indoor plants and cut flowers give a lift to even the plainest decor. Choose plants with variegated or highly structural leaves that create contrast, like cyclamen, orchids, anthurium, begonia or the awesome Swiss cheese plant. If you have pets, make sure you do some research first to make sure you choose non-toxic options that are safe for your furry friends.
8. Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Mirrors are perfect to bounce natural light around your room, making it seem larger and lighter. Glass and metallic décor items also have this effect due to their reflective nature – take advantage of the mixed metals trend this year to really brighten your space up.
9. Comfy Cozy
As well as visual, auditory and other sensory factors, having a warm home when it’s cold and wet outside can brighten anyone’s mood! Choose the most energy-efficient heating system that you can afford and keep the cold out with insulation, thermal curtains and weatherproofing.
