How to Brighten Up Your Home in the Winter

If you have a home that is not south-facing and you also suffer from feeling gloomy, look around. Is your furniture too dark?

I’ve recently faced this with the dense fog that hasn’t cleared for three weeks. My space gets terrible daylight, and I resort to bright lights to keep my mood up. Even when it’s sunny, it’s still dark. I’ve researched cost-effective ways to lift the energy in my home and also lighten up my perspective.

How to Brighten Up Your Space on Gloomy Days

1. Get light colored throw blankets. This was a game changer for me. I have terracotta-colored couches… okay, you can say orange. I also have a dark wood bookshelf, kitchen table, chairs, and other living room furniture. Adding white fluffy blankets has allowed me to see more light around me.

2. Put a chair by your brightest window. I rearranged my desk three times in the past week because I couldn’t find a sweet spot for keeping my happiness up. I decided to break the rules. I moved my desk at the front window in the living room, next to my sofa. It looks awkward and wouldn’t be picturesque in a magazine, but it helps me. It’s the largest window, so I have a wide view of the outside which makes me feel less like I’m stuck in a dark cave.

3. Get some daily light therapy. This can be your most expensive investment toward happier and brighter days, but it’s worth it. I have a hard time growing plants outside, so I started a grow room to have some lettuce and other leafy greens this time of year. The lux put out on those lights are around 5,500 which mimics early day sunlight. Needing more, especially by my desk, I bought a $50 light therapy lamp that puts off 10,000 lux. That is the equivalent of mid-day sun without harshness. Get one that is UV-free to prevent any damage to your skin. You won’t be able to make vitamin D, but you’ll get your circadian rhythm in line. In fact, my cats love this, too! In the morning, I turn it on for them. They also take naps by the indoor grow room I have. If they are attracted to the light, then I know it’s great for us too.

It’s nice to have dark days, as I’m a writer and it makes me feel cozy. I love stormy days, too. But when it’s continuously dark for weeks at a time, this begins to affect my sleep cycle, appetite, energy levels, and my overall mental health. Doing these three things has greatly improved my life this time of year. It’s a splash of homemaking that is affordable and its purpose is to lighten up your life when it’s cold outside.