Winter brings plenty of festive cheer, but there’s no denying that the gloomy months after daylight saving time can be difficult. The downside of having less sunlight in winter is that many people experience the “winter blues”. These depressions may develop into seasonal affective disorder, a condition thought to be caused in part by the shorter days of the season. While seasonal affective disorder requires a formal diagnosis, there are small things you can do to improve your mood, starting with your own home.
Winter Is the Perfect Time to Redecorate
The dreary winter months are actually the perfect time to redecorate your space. First, we have to accept the fact that winter – which coincides with the New Year – is a great opportunity to start over. It’s also a time when people spend more time indoors than any other season, making it an ideal time to start a home design project.
At the same time, it is important to pay attention to the comfort, warmth and cleanliness of the space. We’re hibernating, it’s getting dark earlier, and it’s important that we make ourselves more comfortable. As you redecorate, ask yourself, what could make my home work better? For example, swap out the duvet on your bed for a duvet that will keep you warm during the colder months and help you sleep better.
Start with a Vision of Your Home
Before embarking on any home renovation project, narrow down your specific vision for the space. Clarity on why you want to invest time and effort into decorating this winter is a great place to start. I recommend writing down your home goals so that they become clear: let’s say you dream of hosting a dinner party, but the restaurant is not yet finished. Or, you want to hang a gallery wall, but you’ll need to clear some wall space first.
You can start with your list of goals and work backwards so that it doesn’t feel overwhelming. For the example above, you’ll first need to clear some wall space, patch any holes, and repaint the walls. Then, you can work hard to find the artwork you want to hang and, finally, really put up the gallery wall.
Don’t Forget to Tidy Up
Clutter – or lack thereof – can have a profound impact on our mood. And, while it’s not considered part of the interior design itself, finishing lays the foundation for the look and feel of your home. Once you’ve reduced your stuff, you now have the space to decorate.
If it feels like the task is too big to solve immediately, it is advisable to start with the smallest space, as this can make a big difference in a short period of time. This looks like replacing the shower lining in the bathroom or throwing out expired spices from the pantry.
Note: Decluttering your home can help you rediscover items that were once forgotten or prompt you to reuse them in different spaces. Repurpose items you forgot to hide and use this opportunity to shop from home. In our opinion, environmentally friendly organization and decoration are a win-win.
Decorating Tips to Combat the Winter Blues
Once you’ve envisioned your space goals and organized them, it’s time to inject joy into them with your home design. Shuai Fude shares some of his favorite décor ideas to inspire a comfortable home.
Replace the fabric
Changing the fabric at home is like changing a winter wardrobe. Use heavier, warmer materials and try new pillowcases, sheets, and blankets. It’s a cost-effective and impactful way to upgrade your space.
Use happy colors
While you may tend to wear darker clothes in the winter, you don’t necessarily need to darken the space. Everyone likes a different color palette, so you should choose colors that make you happy. If warm plaid patterns don’t appeal to you, don’t blend them in. If anything, light and bright colors might cheer you up and make you think that spring is coming.
Add additional lighting
You can add extra light sources to your home for early sunsets and seasonal gloomy weather conditions. One way to economically brighten up a room is to replace it with a warm 60-watt light bulb if you don’t already have a cool LED bulb. The warm glow will add comfort to your space against the gray environment outside.
Alternatively, you can also try using a new light fixture. Dome-shaped lights push light upwards, so choose a different style, such as a chandelier or spherical light, which will shine the light downwards.
Maximize your light source
Since the lack of light is one of the reasons why you feel blue in winter, you need to do everything you can to increase the light in your home. Once you’ve added additional light bulbs, lights, and other lighting fixtures, consider adding other elements that can brighten up your space.
One of the more laborious ways to brighten up a room is to paint it. Even if you like the color now, a fresh coat will look clean and vibrant. Use glossy paint to reflect the light around the room, especially when using dark paint. Alternatively, adding mirrors can also be used to illuminate the space. Place them near windows so they reflect more natural light.
A Quick Decorating Project on a Dull Winter Day
If you don’t necessarily have to completely renovate your entire room, you can make some quick changes in an afternoon. Here are a few of Shuaifude’s favorite ways to quickly and easily upgrade your space.
- Rearrange furniture for a new view.
- Design your bookcase differently.
- Decorate with winter flower arrangements and incorporate greenery such as pine trees and evergreens.
- Ventilate the house even when it’s cold and use seasonal scents to make your space smell warm and welcoming.