How to Beat the Winter Blues, Home Projects for a Happier Season
Winter can be a difficult time of year for many of us, especially after all the holiday excitement dwindles down. The days are short and dark. The temperatures are low. The weather is gloomy. And this is when many of us start to feel the winter blues settling in and ask how to beat the winter blues.
But there is good news. By planning out a few simple home improvements you can easily transform your space into a happier and cozier place to be. Sprucing up your home can be worthwhile during any season, but certain projects are perfect for giving you a much-needed mood boost during this time of year.
If you’re in a seasonal funk, this Redfin article will give you advice on how to battle the winter blues, whether you are fighting it from an apartment in Chicago, a new home in Colorado Springs, or a rental home in Portland. Consider these home improvement projects to help you beat those winter blues, no matter how short and dark the days are or how low the temperatures drop.
1. Repaint living spaces
Do you feel like your home needs a dramatic change? A new coat of paint can be a cheap and effective way to switch things up in no time. During this time when many of us need a mood booster, take a page out of the psychology book, and surround yourself with colors that help you relax and increase happiness. In general, cool colors have a calming effect, while warm colors add comfort and can be invigorating. White can help brighten rooms by reflecting light. It makes a small space feel larger and more open, which can help you feel more energized.
Painting can require some patience, especially if you are considering a brand-new color, but it’s easy enough for even a DIY beginner to accomplish. And, with the right attitude and a few friends or even some favorite music, you can make repainting your walls fun, too. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your painting project, consider hiring a local painting company to tackle it for you.
2. Update your home’s lighting
What better way to brighten and warm your spirits this winter than with the perfect lighting? Not to mention it’s an easy and affordable way to make your home a more comfortable place to spend time.
“During the cold, rainy and darker months, natural light is limited. To compensate for that, adding in warm, layered lighting through table lamps, task lights & wall sconces can do so much to create a cozy atmosphere indoors!” says Cassidy of Wakened Collective. “The key to achieving a warm ambient glow in your home is choosing light bulbs with 2700-3000 Kelvin. Anything higher will cast a cooler light, which won’t help with the cozy vibes you’re after!”
Instead of sticking with stale fixtures in your home, you can use the winter blues as an excuse for home improvement. Light fixtures are affordable and can often be installed without an expert. You can completely change the ambiance in your home simply by replacing any harsh white bulbs with calming warm bulbs.
3. Maximize natural light with windows or skylights
With the shorter days and gloomy weather, one of the main factors leading to winter blues this time of year is the lack of natural light. The best solution for this is to increase the amount of sunlight in your home. If your current windows aren’t letting in enough light or air, it may be time to upgrade. Skylights can also be an excellent way to improve natural light. This is true even if you live somewhere like Miami, where the sunlight is abundant.
Derek Antosiek of Optimize Your Biology also suggests considering how furniture plays into maximizing natural light. He says, “I would prioritize natural light and a biophilic design to fight the winter blues. Add life to your space with indoor plants and nature-inspired décor, or use your TV to play relaxing nature recordings. Rearrange furniture to maximize natural daylight from your windows — this small change can greatly impact your overall happiness.”
4. Install a sound system
There’s nothing like a great song for instantly lifting the spirits. Playing some of your favorite tunes at home is the perfect remedy to help fight your winter blues. It’s a bit less impactful, though, when you’re listening to music through tiny laptop speakers. If you want to really immerse yourself in the sound of your favorite songs, invest in a home sound system.
Setting up a surround sound system or a sound system that plays across multiple rooms is quite simple. Modern technology allows for easy connectivity with Bluetooth, ensuring your home is ready for fun without a costly or complicated setup process.
5. Improve organization
After spending months inside due to the pandemic, followed by the holidays, your home may be overrun by clutter. Think about how good you’ll feel when you’ve cleaned your house, and everything has been put back in its rightful place.
Improving the organization of a space can occur in a number of ways, from purchasing storage boxes and bins to custom pieces for the closet. A few simple home improvements can go a long way. Whether that’s just going through old mail, sorting clothing to donate, or filing papers, organizing can help create a nicer living space. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with the process, bring in a professional organizer or declutter to help.
6. Add greenery to beat winter blues
Plants are amazing gifts of nature. In both work and home environments, live plants can boost your mood, productivity, concentration, and creativity. Plants come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny succulents to large potted plants, making greenery a functional and flexible option for everyone.
If you have a large living area, potted trees can also be an excellent addition and one of the simplest home improvements you can do. Available from local nurseries and mail-order services nationwide, plants make it easy to add a dynamic living focal piece to any room.
Alessia, Apartment Botanist and author of Plants Are My Favorite People shares, “The winter blues are easier to combat when you have a bit of nature in your home! Filling my space with my plants and crystals always felt natural. I noticed how much they helped me to create a happy, lush, and positive environment.
Even when I felt overwhelmed or too busy, I always felt more accomplished when I stopped to make time and tend to the things I loved. I have no problem giving my plants prime real estate in my home, meaning the nice bright and light-exposed areas. Test and see what works best in your house, but you can always help support your plants with grow lights. Another favorite tip I love to suggest for new indoor plant parents is to purchase a humidifier for you and your plants to enjoy during the cold winter months. It’s a win for both the plant and the parent!”
7. Create a cozy sanctuary
There’s nothing quite like having a cozy place to escape to on a cold winter day. From fluffy blankets and bedding to essential oils and warm, ambient lighting, your cozy sanctuary can be a place of peace from the moment you walk in. Flannel sheets can keep you nice and warm while a plush rug to sink your toes into will add comfort.
As Kelli Walsh of Elements at Saratoga Lake notes, “A simple renter-friendly home improvement can help you beat the winter blues is creating a cozy retreat by setting up a reading nook or enhancing your living area with comfort items like extra pillows and throw blankets. Don’t forget to introduce color into your decor to lift your mood and brighten up your home during the gloomy months.”
Making it through yet another winter may seem tough, but a few simple home improvements can be just what you need to turn a cold-weather frown upside down. From a little repainting to installing skylights, there’s plenty you can do to increase your happiness and take your home from bland to beautiful this season.
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