Brightening the Winter Blues

I’ve been lovingly referred to as a Grizzly Bear because I eat, eat, eat in the winter, and hibernate (or try to!). I could sleep through all of winter with a bowl of fettucine if I didn’t have two wild little boys to chase around and keep after. And, how does anyone feel when they just want to curl up in a ball and sleep but their sleep continues to be interrupted? Tired and cranky.

Winter is beautiful. It offers us icicles on our windows, sparkling evening snow, and those brown patches in our lawn spring back to life. But, it also brings us darkness, greyness, and weather that can be less than pleasant for outdoor fun. As someone who doesn’t like cold, but likes to make every outing into a walk in the woods, or a visit to the beach, winter gives me pretty severe cabin fever, and hopping from one interior environment to the next just doesn’t cut it. I feel relief and freedom when I spot a patch of blue sky, or when the sun shines in through the window.

Good interior design can help get us through these dark days
Interior design is so much more than picking pretty pillows (although that can be fun!) and dressing an interior space. Interior design considers your health, your safety, the function of a space, the ergonomics, the architecture… I could go on forever here. But, what can YOU do in your home to improve your well-being?

Let in the light
Everywhere you look in reference to “winter blues”, you will be told to focus first and foremost on light. It’s true. I’m going to back that up here. Every interior space should have at least three levels of light (windows count!). This is a minimum, and lighting should happen at different heights and consider the different tasks it will be applied to. So, if you’re wondering if you REALLY need that floor lamp- YES. Even as a small accessory- a “nonfunctional” light will provide atmosphere and contribute to the feeling of your interior environment.

Consider replacing interior lamps (bulbs) with LED’s. I know the trend is for the fluorescent lamp and we all miss our now banned incandescents. But, honestly, the incandescents were dim. The hardest part of my day is early dusk, when it’s getting darker, but turning on an incandescent lamp does nothing to brighten the space. It is this time of day when I tend to run around the house turning every light on. Whenever a lamp burns out, an LED goes in, and let me tell you- the light is crisper and brighter, but it can still be warm. These are pricey lamps, but worth every penny, and their lifespan is phenomenal.. I recommend a warm white!

Review the placement of your fixtures. A light in the center of a room will leave a room feeling dark because it is unable to reflect off of nearby surfaces. Place lamps in dark corners to watch the light bounce off the walls!
Increase the level of natural light by keeping window treatments open and letting as much light as possible into your space. I prefer not to use window treatments wherever possible. Any interference between me and the sun is one too many. But, privacy and light blocking for entertainment or sleeping needs are very real and valid reasons for utilizing beautiful window coverings. In these areas, open the window coverings fully when they are not in use to utilize every minute of those daylight hours!

Be a hippie and commune with nature
Seriously though, plants can do so much for a dark and dreary space. You may have painted your space a bright white or jumped at the warm colors for some artificial warmth, but it’s just not doing the trick. Well, no matter what wonderful, lively colors we use, we need life to feel alive. Bring in some greens and enjoy the fresh air they circulate through your home and the excuse to take a break from your daily work to water and nurture them. Not a green thumb? No worries! There are several easy to care for indoor plants that will give your home the energy it needs.

Color
Color is tricky because it is very personal. Some people look for release in a monochromatic space with bright splashes of color. Others desire a warm, rich palette, where someone else prefers a cool blue escape. The important thing here is knowing what you need, what energizes you, and do it! Color absolutely enriches our lives and our emotions.

Fragrance
Our sense of smells is our strongest sense, and it amazes me that more Seasonal Affective Disorder references do not mention this sense in uplifting our mood. Have you ever been in a glum mood, smelled something wonderful and felt instantly uplifted? I have a dish soap that is sunflower scented, and I keep it tucked away, using the boring, “regular” brand intentionally so that when I need a little light in my day, I pull out the sunflower soap and wash my dishes, deeply inhaling the wonderful scent. It always makes me grin, if even for a second.

Use some essential oil on your TP roll for a release of scent when the roll is used. Try some of those herb-infused sachets in your dresser drawers or in the linen closet. Light a scented candle. Or, simmer up a delicious-smelling meal.

So, the next time you’re feeling a little cabin fever or as though you’ve been swallowed by a grey fog, try these tricks to liven up your interiors and enhance your well-being through interior design! Take a look at my blog this month- I will be featuring articles on bringing warmth to your interior space!

To learn about Rachel Waldron’s interior design services, contact her at 206.249.9860 or rachel@waldrondesigns.com