Simple Pleasures: Savoring the Season of Warmth and Light
Light up your home and lift your spirits on cold winter days with these decorative touches
Laura Gaskill
November 5, 2018
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance checklist. My favorite pieces to write center around the emotional aspects of home and savoring life's simple pleasures. Get my bi-weekly email: https://www.lauragaskill.com/thesimplelist/
Houzz Contributor. I cover decorating ideas, Houzz tours & the monthly home maintenance... More
And if living with winter has taught me anything, it’s to savor the warm and cozy aspects of this season. Candles, fairy lights and a roaring fire can do wonders to boost light on short, dark days and (even more important) bolster the spirits. So pour yourself a mug of hot cocoa and get cozy around the fire. Here are nine ideas for boosting light and creating a magical ambience around the house.
Keep your windows clean (and as bare as possible). You may be surprised at how much more light comes in through crystal-clear windows. Even if it’s too cold out to get to the exterior side of the windows, cleaning even inside can boost light. And while there’s something to be said for the insulating effects of heavy window treatments, they do nothing when it comes to letting in maximum light on dim winter days — so open the blinds and pull open those drapes!
How to Clean Your Windows and Keep Them Streak-Free
How to Clean Your Windows and Keep Them Streak-Free
Line your hall with lanterns. If you have a long hall, why not line it with a row of sturdy lanterns or hurricanes filled with pillar or LED candles?
I imagine this would make just walking from one room to the next a far more romantic experience.
Browse candle lanterns
I imagine this would make just walking from one room to the next a far more romantic experience.
Browse candle lanterns
Have your fireplace ready and waiting. If you have a working fireplace or wood stove, stock up and get ready with everything you need to light a fire at a moment’s notice.
Chop and stack wood, prepare kindling and get your tools in order. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to have your chimney professionally cleaned.
Knowing everything is ready to go may nudge you into having a cozy fire more often.
Find chimney cleaners in your area
Chop and stack wood, prepare kindling and get your tools in order. And while you’re at it, don’t forget to have your chimney professionally cleaned.
Knowing everything is ready to go may nudge you into having a cozy fire more often.
Find chimney cleaners in your area
Use string lights in the bedroom. Whether you choose plain white twinkle lights or mini paper lanterns on a string, fairy lights bring a magical touch to the winter bedroom.
Drape them from the headboard, hang them vertically from a curtain rod or drape them across the top of the closet. Before bed put out all lights but the twinkle lights and candle, and revel in the ambience.
Shop for string lights on Houzz
Drape them from the headboard, hang them vertically from a curtain rod or drape them across the top of the closet. Before bed put out all lights but the twinkle lights and candle, and revel in the ambience.
Shop for string lights on Houzz
Enhance the kitchen with candles. Kitchen lighting can be a bit sterile — it gets the job done but doesn’t add anything to the mood. Supplement the overheads with a smattering of tea lights or votives on the counters, and I think you’ll find even chopping vegetables or washing up to be a more pleasant undertaking.
As always, keep an eye on burning candles, and never leave them unattended.
As always, keep an eye on burning candles, and never leave them unattended.
Light candles at breakfast. Winter mornings can be so dark. Why reserve candles for the dinner table only, when you can benefit from them at all times of day? I find candles have an especially calming effect on children; they’re great for soothing frazzled nerves before a busy school day.
Do we need to say to put candles around the tub? If you don’t normally soak in the tub, make an exception for winter.
Bring in a few candles and place them around the tub, turn down the lights and relax. Repeat at least once a week.
Bring in a few candles and place them around the tub, turn down the lights and relax. Repeat at least once a week.
Keep your holiday decorating simple. I’m not one for going overboard on holiday decor (especially not way in advance of the holiday), but a few simple pieces can bring a welcome festive air to the home.
How about making your own tree branch star, like the one shown here, and wrapping it in fairy lights?
Browse the Houzz Holiday section for more ideas.
How about making your own tree branch star, like the one shown here, and wrapping it in fairy lights?
Browse the Houzz Holiday section for more ideas.
Or place a few luminaries on the mantel and sideboard. Setting out small, special candleholders, string lights and lanterns is a good way to ease into holiday decorating.
When all else fails, treat yourself to color. I am a firm believer in the power of color to uplift the spirits. So if all of the tea lights, fairy lights and cozy nights around the fire aren’t helping you get your groove back, allow me to suggest splurging on something bright and bold instead. Raspberry mohair throw, anyone?
Tell us: What do you do to help boost your spirit in winter? Share your ideas in the Comments.
More
Take the Chill Off With Cozy Winter Textures
Welcome the Winter With Mood-Enhancing Lights
Read about more simple pleasures
Tell us: What do you do to help boost your spirit in winter? Share your ideas in the Comments.
More
Take the Chill Off With Cozy Winter Textures
Welcome the Winter With Mood-Enhancing Lights
Read about more simple pleasures
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I agree there's nothing like the crackle, warmth and glow from a real wood burning fireplace. But for us a apartment dwellers without a existing fireplace-there is a cool idea worth warming up to. Yes, there are alternatives to the traditional chimney and flue scenarios. Many manufacturer's are offering ventless designed fireplaces powered by eco-friendly biofuel . These options are available in modern materials and available in ceiling mount, wall mount and floor standing units. Compared to wood, biofuel is 40% more energy efficient. I'm currently checking out this option vs. a faux fireplace.
Just had to chuckle at the candles in the bath idea. Had a former neighbor (they moved) who almost burned down their house. The wife loved putting candles around her tub as she bathed.......that was until something - a towel or window curtain or rug or something caught fire....... I'll let you imagine the outcome..................Let's just say the volunteer fire folks got a bonus 'pay'...:)
No you sure can't forget about those candles left out! I like to light them in my bedroom while I'm watching TV. Gives me my own ambiance!