Brighten Your Home To Avoid The Post-Holiday Blues

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Fact: Winter typically lasts a few months after the holidays are over. Just because you’ve put away the Christmas decorations, doesn’t mean your home can’t be as bright and cheerful as the holidays for the remainder of winter. Try some of these ideas to keep those post-holiday blues at bay:

 

Create Your Own Sunlight

To counteract persistent grey skies, switch to light bulbs that emit blue or white light because they are the closest to mimicking sunlight.

Dawn simulators (also known as wake-up lights or sunrise clocks) are a great choice anytime of the year but can be especially helpful during darker winter days. The bulbs gradually get brighter over a period of time to gently wake you up and simulate the morning sun. Most models have a backup alarm that will sound when the light is at its brightest, just in case you oversleep.

 

Let There Be (Natural) Light

Consider replacing heavy, dark drapes with sheer window treatments during the winter months. If you’re not up to changing your drapes, try something as simple as pulling them apart to allow natural light into your home during the day. Yes, it’s that easy to create natural light. 

Adding mirrors is another quick and inexpensive way to get more light into your rooms. We suggest hanging a wall mirror behind a lamp so it will help reflect light, or hanging a bunch of small mirrors together on a wall opposite windows.

 

Reconnect With Nature

Paperwhites (Narcissus papyraceus) are the ideal indoor winter flower. Even those of us who don’t have a green thumb can enjoy them. You can plant Paperwhites in soil if you so desire, but they’ll grow in virtually anything – even a decorative bowl filled with some stones. They do best in a container that is at least twice as wide as it is tall. If you do decide to plant them in soil, be sure to choose a container with drainage holes.

You can expect flowers about two to three weeks after planting the bulbs. Paperwhites will produce daffodil-like white blooms on slender stems that will grow to approximately one to two feet tall.

If you’re looking to spruce things up outside, there are many flowers and plants that thrive in cold weather. A winter planter can be dressed up with vibrant colours, plants, cut branches and foliage to chase away those winter blues.

 

The White Choice For Your Home

Instead of worrying how different colours will contrast or complement each other, keep things simple by using white for your winter décor. White throw pillows, window treatments, vases, art pieces and even storage boxes for underneath the coffee table can add tremendous warmth – and cheer – to any space.

 

Keep It Cozy

One of the best parts about winter is that we get to snuggle up to thick blankets and cozy pillows. Find a comfortable space where you can curl up with a favourite book or your tablet and snuggle up with a blanket. If you don’t have a ‘reading nook’, a large, comfy chair will also help you take refuge from the winter.

Add more warmth and coziness to your home with rugs. Both shag and traditional rugs are much warmer on our feet compared to hard surfaces like tile or wood. Bedrooms can get a huge boost of warmth by having a rug next to the bed, so can bathrooms, kitchens or living rooms.

 

How do you keep away the winter blues in your home? Give us your tips on our Facebook page.

from Devonleigh Homes http://ift.tt/2lQNkgz