As the days feel shorter and darker this winter season, keeping things light and bright at home is more important than ever. Limited hours of daylight can have season-long impacts on our sleep schedule, our moods, and our home style. We’ve rounded up some tips for getting out of a dark place:
Never too many lights
The first step to brightening up your space? Insert some cute and crafty lighting! Doing this won’t just brighten things up but it’ll also help you set new moods to your space. Start from the top down and fill in any dark areas. Changing up ceiling light shades, adding sconces to your bedside, and adding tall floor lamps to room corners are all functional ways to introduce fun design, too.
Swap out lightbulbs
A simple change from yellow or amber lightbulbs to white lights can transform a space instantly. Yellow lighting can promote a cozy vibe, but it can also make small spaces feel smaller. If you have low ceilings or are working with limited space, brighter lights can open up a room by mimicking hues of natural sunlight.
Focus on windows
Daylight time may be limited but we should definitely make the most of it. Consider switching to sheer curtains, moving your favorite reading chair or your desk near a window this winter–especially in the rooms you’ll be in while you work from home. Working from dark spaces this winter can disrupt your body’s natural clock. Natural light is energizing, promotes focus, and supports our circadian rhythm. It lets our mind and body know that it is time to wake up!
Go bold
Lighting isn’t the only way to brighten up your space. Adding colors that bring your home to life is a great approach. This upcoming season is all about rich golden and jewel tones. Think mustard, emerald, plum, and deep blues. So, go ahead. Sprinkle in some bold accents. Swap out your favorite white sheets for some fun, bold ones. Add some throw pillows. Hang up new artwork.
Dimension is key
White can brighten up any room, especially in the way it reflects light. But to avoid a room feeling flat, add dimension through different types of white and beige. Dimension makes the light look different from various points in the room. You can also reflect light and add dimension using mirrors and mixed metals.
Add greenery
Adding a plant (or five) is the universal solution to many design problems. Low-light plants can give you a faux sense of bright energy by making a room feel alive. Better yet, using plants to decorate window-sills and other bright spaces will add visual texture, drawing your eye to the brightest parts of your home.
