The winter blues are in full swing and it can be difficult to shake them off. While the snow falls outside, the urge to stay indoors until spring is strong. For this reason, we spoke to interior designers Tania Richardson and Jenny Marrs about the best ways to turn their home into a winter wonderland with just a few upgrades. Here are some small, simple house decoration upgrades that can make a big difference during the middle of winter.
- Tania RichardsonInterior designer and founder of Tania Antoinette
- Jenny MarrsNational designer for Neubad and co-star from HGTVS Fixer too fabulous
Rethink lighting
When the sun goes down as early as in winter, every day can feel bleak and dark. This means maximizing the amount of natural light in your house, especially in the colder months. “Exchange heavy curtains for mere or light filterings and place strategic mirrors to reflect on daylight, which makes your space feel brighter and more open,” suggests Marrs. Since the lighting can influence our mood all day long, the layer lighting can also make a difference when the sun goes down. Richardson recommends to replace cool and hard lighting for warm LED lights that glow gently. She also suggests inserting some candles and fairy lights into the house. “Soft flickering flames and sparkling lights trigger a feeling of calm and security,” she says.
Use the fragrance
Our senses are powerful and the fragrance is another effective way to change the energy in your home. Fragrance candles, essential oil diffusers and incense rods are all a way to warm up their home and raise the mood. Richardson recommends certain fragrances for different moods – citrus and peppermint are ideal for energy, and diffuse lemon or orange oils can help to revitalize the senses. Vanilla and lavender, on the other hand, lean into heat and relaxation. Richardson also suggests summer Pots as a simple DIY upgrade. “A pot of cinnamon, cloves and oranges on the stove fills the house with a cozy, grounding aroma.”
Integrate a cozy note
Similar to the view and fragrance, Touch is a sensory experience that is important for house design. In winter, adding soft textures in your room can cause feelings of heat. Richardson proposes a few different options, such as: “Think of chunky knitting throws, velvet pillows and linen curtains next to raw wood or stone accents,” she says. “The first thing to do in the morning on a soft, warm surface makes it a little moment of comfort.”
Add dopamine decor
Dopamine decoration – a design trend that took over the Internet in the past seasons – is an entertaining and easy way to warm up in winter. Adding bright colors, strong patterns or playful frills are examples of ways to decorate with dopamine -oriented designs. Richardson recommends that you include playful design elements in your home upgrade. “Unexpected textures, sculptural furniture or even converted furniture can stimulate novelty and promote dopamine,” she says. It also suggests curating a “happy wall”, a room that is devoted to personal joy, whether it is a gallery, a music station or a reading corner.
Bring in nature
The biophilic design or the process of integration of natural elements into the house can improve well -being in winter. Richardson recommends improving your home by swapping plastic and synthetic materials for natural, structured materials such as stone, wood and ceramics. Marrs suggests to place low -maintenance inner plants such as succulents, ferns and pothos in their bathroom. “These plants live in humidity, improve air quality and promote relaxation and at the same time increase their mood.”
Create a bathroom oasis
Cold weather can mean that you have bathroom tiles under your feet while you get ready in the morning. Marrs recommends transforming your bathroom into a home spa with just a few simple additions to the room. For example, if you install a rainfall and add a heated towel warmer, your bathroom can feel brand new. “These simple upgrades create an atmosphere of relaxation and self -sufficiency and offer them the perfect space to relax and invite themselves in winter,” says Marrs.