COMBATTING THE WINTER BLUES THROUGH INTERIOR DESIGN

During the cold winter months, human beings naturally retreat indoors for the majority of their day. Time that could be spent outside in the summer months is replaced. With the decrease of sunlight combined with cooler temperatures, the winter months can be hard for a lot of people. While this post is in no way meant to replace care for depression, here are some ideas to help you combat the winter blues through interior design.

Because you are spending more time in your home in the evening, you will want to make your home as cozy as possible. The Danish word hygge (“hooga”) represents a lifestyle that seeks coziness. Hygge focuses on making time for relaxation and the simple pleasures of life, leaving behind the daily grind. To encourage hygge in your home, try adding chunky knit blankets, or lighting candles. 

Lighting candles affects multiple senses: you will see the flame, feel the warmth, and smell the fresh aroma. Getting in touch with your senses is a form of meditation and can bring you serenity. Using sunlamps has long been a suggestion for more serious seasonal depression, but adding string lights or lighting candles can relieve the stress of more harsh indoor lighting. 

Use color theory to bring the right feelings into your space. Blues and greens invite calm, while yellows and oranges invigorate. If you need more mental energy in your home, add pops of color using artwork, rugs, or dish towels. 

Rearranging the layout of your space can help you feel a newfound interest in your home. This is a great time to declutter and get rid of things you no longer need. Even if you don’t rearrange a whole room, you can start with a bookcase or a desk. Any reorganizing will give you a sense of accomplishment, which is a great mood-booster. 

Adding greenery to your home can help with the winter blues. Having an easy-to-care-for plant will give you something to do during the dark hours of the day, but even adding faux plants will create the illusion of life and warmth. 

Interior design is all about making the spaces we inhabit, especially our homes, functional in beautiful ways. While these tips are simple, implementing them can go a long way in helping your mental clarity. While you are in your forced hibernation, why not create a space that brings you joy and peace?

Wishing you well,

Holly Mickelsen