Blue Monday, the day the most depressing of the year, was only a couple of days ago.
There’s something undeniably real about January: It’s not a happy month. The excitement of the Christmas period has come to an end, and there’s nothing to replace it. January is all about going back to school or work once the fun is over. And as the weather has already taken a turn for the cold if you live in the Northern Hemisphere, it’s fair to say that you wake up when it dark and come back from work at night too. In other words, you need something to brighten and lift your mood.
That’s precisely what brightening up your home is about. In a previous article, we shared some tips on how to bring more light and joy to your interior decor, using paint, lamps, exciting features, and houseplants. Fighting off the winter slump doesn’t end there. There are plenty more things you could add to your interior style and household routine to make January a happy and energetic month. Here’s a follow-up guide with 7 new easy ways to brighten up your home without breaking the bank this month:
#1. Replace those windows
Replacing your windows may not seem like the best way to introduce more light into your home, but you’d be surprised by how much difference new insulated windows can make to your interior. Old frames can begin to rot on the inside and let the cold air in, even though they only show mild signs of wear and tear on the outside.
As a result, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to cope in different ways, such as adding curtains to create a protective thermal layer or moving furniture in the room to block the air passage. More often than not, getting in touch with a professional to discuss a replacement, such as the dedicated service renewal by Andersen windows can transform your interior. When you don’t need to build a protective barrier against cold air, you can remove the curtains to let the natural light in.
#2. Move the furniture
We’ve mentioned moving the furniture to stop the cold air from infiltrating the room. Furniture is the first thing that stands between you and a welcoming and energetic decor. Did you know that keeping your shelves and tables against the walls can make the room appear cramped and dark?
However, we instinctively push the furniture against the wall in an effort to make the room feel more spacious. The truth is that it doesn’t work like that. Try moving your furniture away from the windows, doors, and walls to create a path for the natural light. It will also reset the balance in the room and build a more dynamic setting.
#3. Energetic scents
Your senses play a huge role in how you feel at home. Did you know, for instance, that the smell of fresh coffee and oven-baked cookies can boost your house price when you’re trying to sell? That’s because those smells create a sense of homeliness. Following the same principle, you can use only carefully chosen scents to boost your energy at home. The best energy boost collection in aromatherapy contains rosemary, lemon, tangerine, grapefruit, basil, and spearmint.
If you have a diffuser, you might want to look into buying energy-enhancing essential oils. But if you prefer something a little more DIY, you can create your own potpourri with lemon, tangerine, and grapefruit peels and a few rosemary branches to create a beautiful and dynamic addition to the room.
#4. Add a fruit bowl
Potpourris are not the only way of using your winter fruits. You can display them in a fruit bowl in the kitchen or the living room. Did you know that seeing fresh fruits can make you feel healthier and fitter? Your bowl is a reminder of what healthy looks like – and taste like because, ultimately, the purpose is to eat it.
Not only is it a fantastic way to get your daily vitamins, but it also adds a splash of colors. Oranges, yellows, reds, greens, a fruit bowl is a treat for the eyes and the taste buds! Ideally, you should focus on seasonal and local fruits to get the best nutrients and the most natural colors.
#5. Use a light alarm clock
You are probably familiar with the concept of circadian rhythm, which is the natural and internal body process that regulates your sleep and your energy levels. In winter, keeping your body in sync with its natural rhythm can be challenging, especially when you need to be active before sunrise.
But a simple alarm clock replacement can go a long way in waking up feeling rested and energized. A light alarm clock that uses gentle light to help your brain to wake up is a lot softer than the harsh beep from the alarm! Additionally, by introducing light into your routine, it helps your circadian cycle to move to the next level and tune in to daytime.
#6. Add more mirror features
Ah, mirrors! Who doesn’t love a nice mirror in the room? Mirrors can become a focal accent in a large room, but they also add a new dimension to your decor by reflecting light. They make any room feel brighter, even if it facing north because it can catch the light and reflect it into the space. What’s even more exciting is that mirrors can virtually make a small room feel a lot bigger, so that in an instant, your home is brighter and more spacious.
#7. Change the coffee machine
Can you do anything with a strong cup of coffee in the morning? When you’ve got a busy day ahead, the smell of coffee can help your mind to feel more alert – and things improve a lot more when you drink it! If you haven’t considered the addition of a programmable coffee machine to your kitchen, now’s the time to do it! Just imagine waking up to the smell of a freshly brewed cuppa… Bliss!
We would all love to skip through January and wake up for Valentine’s day to enjoy love and chocolates. But the truth is that we can’t. However, little additions to your decor or your routine can brighten up your home and your mood significantly. There’s still enough time to make your home winter blues proof!
