How to combat the winter blues with a few homely tweaks
As the colder weather sets in and the days become shorter, it can be easy to get bogged down with a case of the winter blues, with many people suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) each year. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. Winter can be the perfect opportunity to rest and recuperate, safe in your own home.
If the winter days have been getting you down, here are our top tips for how to beat the blues with a few homely tweaks, while creating your own little haven to see you through the winter.
Add some pops of colour
Adding pops of colour to neutral settings is one of the easiest ways to inject warmth and energy into a space. Neutral shades encourage a sense of calm and serenity, while bursts of colour can add a touch of cheeriness. We recommend focusing on uplifting colours such as sunny mustard yellow, striking cobalt blue or calming pastel shades. Throw cushions, colourful wall prints and candles are all simple yet effective ways of injecting colour into a room. However, it’s best to stick to three tones or less to avoid overpowering the space.
Utilise mirrors in your living spaces
Versatile, cost-effective, and timeless, mirrors are a great addition to any home. Their reflective surfaces create an illusion of light, depth and space, helping to brighten up any room - whether day or night. The Norwegian town of Rjukan even harnesses the power of mirrors on top of its mountains during winter to provide the town’s residents with much needed light during the months they normally reside in darkness.
Make the most out of your lighting
The treatment most recommended to combat SAD is light therapy. Artificial light can be used to replace the lack of sunlight and help us feel more alert. Why not consider where you need lights in your home and switch out any cool toned lights for warm ones to help add a sense of calm to any room. You could even consider using coloured glass fixtures to add an extra splash of colour.
Create a welcoming focal feature
Redecorating a whole room can be costly, time consuming and take a lot of effort. Instead, focus on a few key features to help create a more inviting space. With outdoor exploration in shorter supply in winter months, a few leafy house plants or fresh flowers can help to bring the great outdoors in and are well known for helping to soothe the mind.
How are you combatting the winter blues? Let us know on social @MillerHomesUK.