Simple home improvements can help with winter blues
Metro Creative
Now that winter has settled in, spending longer hours inside your house can drum up a case of the winter blues.
Houzz.com states getting enough light can make a huge difference in how we feel during the winter.
One way to boost light is to keep your drapes open during the day, said Charlotte Connors, owner of Charlotte’s Custom Draperies and Home Fashions in Waynesburg.
She said turning on lamps for ambient lighting will make a room appear brighter reflective of a sunny day.
Lighting a fireplace or wood burner is another way to cozy up or brighten a room along with some candles or scented air fresheners. “It seems so much homier,” said Connors.
Design experts say daylight will raise the temperature of a room slightly, and the sun’s bright rays will give your skin a warm sensation.
Wayne Davison, manager at Cardello Electric in Uniontown, said the store sells daylight bulbs for reading lamps recommended by health experts to help people treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), which is depression related to shorter days and reduced sunlight exposure during the fall and winter months.
Additionally, LED light bulbs are available in a variety of white, yellow and blue tones that can be used to boost the mood in a room.
Decorating with warmer tones can also make a space feel more intimate.
Connors said simple items like a bright colored pillow added to a couch or other piece of furniture can lend a cozy ambiance to any space.
One way Houzz.com suggests to avoid the post-holiday slump is to add a few super soft and cozy accents around the house like velvet cushions, fluffy faux-fur throws, knitted poufs, candles or fresh flowers.
You can also leave up a few strands of white twinkle lights and swags of fresh greenery from holiday decorating a bit longer for some extra winter cheer.
Winter is also a great time to think about adding new life to your home once the weather breaks with projects like remodeling the kitchen, adding a deck, putting fresh tile in the bath or painting.