Feel-Good Home
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
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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Keep your Holiday Decorating Simple
I’m not one for going overboard on holiday decor, 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
I’m not one for going overboard on holiday decor, 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
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.
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.
Tell us: What do you do to help boost your spirit in winter? Share your ideas in the Comments.
More on Houzz
Read more about creating a feel-good home
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Shop for holiday decor
More on Houzz
Read more about creating a feel-good home
Find home pros
Shop for holiday decor
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