Love it or hate it, Canada is the place to be to experience four distinct seasons. And that means winter is on its way, bringing snow, ice, and frigid weather. For some people, those crisp cold days can’t come soon enough. It’s a magical time of tobogganing, skating, skiing, hiking in the snow, or staying inside sipping hot chocolate by the fire. Others would like to escape or hibernate all winter and not come out again until the weather hits 20 degrees.
One of the best things you can do to get through the cold season (or love it even more) is to decorate in a way that your home becomes the ultimate cozy oasis. Then, no matter how frigid the wind blows, you always have a place to escape and recharge. Here are some simple ways to make your house feel like home.
Maximize the Natural Light
The shorter days and accompanying darkness are often the biggest complaints about winter. Depending on your schedule, you may find yourself leaving for work or school in the dark. By the time you get home, it’s already dark again. The best way to combat the shorter days is to maximize your home’s natural light as much as possible.
Everyone has had those days when it’s 20 below, but it looks warm because it is so bright outside. For some people, sunlight almost acts like an antidepressant. In fact, there is some science behind that. Sun exposure can increase serotonin levels, elevate your mood and improve sleep.
These decor ideas will help you improve the lighting in every room:
- Hang mirrors throughout to amplify and reflect the sunlight, especially in dark corners.
- Use white or neutral-coloured paint on the walls. If you must have darker colours, try adding metal accents and textured finishes to reflect the light.
- Use soft sheers instead of dark curtains. These allow plenty of light in without the glare.
- Consider glazing your windows, another excellent way to reduce the glare from the sun without blocking the light.
- Add accent lighting in rooms with smaller windows or dark corners.
Do you want more style ideas for the upcoming months? Our post “5 Unique Holiday Decorating Tips” may give you the inspiration you need!
Redecorate with Warm Accents
Light-coloured or white paint makes your house feel warmer by making it brighter. However, warm accents throughout your home can create interest and add to the relaxing effect. Now may be the time to invest in soft and colourful velvet or fleece throws to drape over the couch.
They look sharp against the backdrop of the room, and you can always wrap yourself up in luxurious comfort whenever you feel the chill.
Another great way to add a touch of ambience and style is to place candles throughout each room in your house. If you have children or pets, you may opt for battery-powered candles for safety reasons. They may not add actual warmth, but they can still help create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere.
If one room is particularly drafty, an area rug can help absorb some of the chill and make barefoot treks across the floor far more bearable. You can find many stylish designs online and at local shops throughout Toronto.
If you’re looking for new home decor ideas, check out our post “5 Toronto Furniture Stores to Give Your Home a Makeover.“
Transform One Room into a Winter Oasis
In most homes, the temperature can be significantly different from one room to the next. Why not capitalize on this and dedicate one room to create the perfect winter getaway?
If you have a fireplace, even better. Few things make you forget about the blustery weather like basking in the glow of a crackling fire. If you’re not so lucky, consider investing in an electric fireplace. You can pick up one for a few hundred dollars and install it anywhere there’s an outlet.
Now add comfortable furniture, creative lighting, a few board games, and a music speaker, and you’ve got the perfect place to stay warm and cozy until Spring arrives.
Redesigning your home doesn’t just make it more fun to live there, it can add monetary value. How?
- Staging Before You Sell: 5 Reasons it’s Worthwhile
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- 7 Small Improvements to Make Before Selling Your Home
- Home Renovations to Make that Increase Your Resale Value
Bring the Outdoors Inside
The lack of nature and greenery can make winter feel bleak and lifeless. The solution is as simple as decorating with cut flowers and indoor plants. As an added benefit, green plants like spider plants, dracaenas, and chrysanthemums are easy to care for and can breathe new life into every room.
If you have pets, be sure to talk to the greenhouse staff to ensure plants are safe before bringing them home.
Adding live plants to your home decor comes with another benefit you may not expect. They can absorb many toxins from the air, making the room cleaner and fresher. When all the doors and windows are locked up tight to keep the warm air in, your houseplants can actually help you breathe easier.
Tackle those indoor projects
It’s fun to joke about wanting to sleep all winter. However, no one thrives on a permanent schedule of non-stop leisure. When you feel the need to be productive, wintertime is perfect for tackling any indoor projects you have been putting off.
You don’t have to go overboard with massive renovations. A few small updates can transform your aesthetic without breaking the bank. Here are a few simple ideas you can tackle in a day or less.
- Clean and declutter thoroughly. Spending more time inside often means accumulating a lot of stuff. Why not set aside a day for organizing your home, or at least one room? The effect will be well worth it.
- Change out the handles on cupboards, cabinets, and drawers.
- Repair cracks in the walls and chipped paint.
- Redo your interior lighting.
- Organize all of your closets and drawers.
A few updates here and there will help you fall and stay in love with your home. These improvements can even add significant value if you ever decide to sell.
The real estate market is changing in Toronto. If you have questions about buying or selling, reach out today by email or call 416.443.0300.
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