15 Ways to Brighten Your Home During Winter
Updated: Dec. 05, 2018
Winter doesn't have to be dark, drab or dull. Use these inexpensive ideas to brighten up your home this winter and it'll be spring before you know it.
Swap Light Bulbs
Check to see what type of light bulbs you’re using. There is quite a bit of difference between cool white and warm white, so you may find a simple switch could add new brightness to your space. The best way to do this is to take one of each type of bulb and test it out in a room at different times of day.
Follow these decorating tips from design guru Steven Sabados.
Hang Bold Artwork
Think colour when it comes to artwork. Hanging a couple bold pieces of artwork in a room will brighten things up this winter (and throughout the year!).
Remove Screens
Unless you live where it’s warm throughout the winter, you don’t need the screens on your windows year-round. Remove window screens and you may be surprised by how much more light streams into your home.
Check out these home maintenance tips for winter.
Use the Right Paint Colour
Painting a room a light colour will make the room look bigger, but pops saturated colour can make it feel brighter. Consider adding a bold colour to an accent wall. You can also paint the ceiling a bright white to lighten up the room even more.
These are the 10 most popular paint colours on the Canadian market.
Use Light Slipcovers
Dark furniture can make a dark room feel gloomy. Instead of buying new furniture, invest in a light-coloured slipcover for your couch or loveseat to help brighten up the space.
Don’t miss Amanda Forrest’s wallet-friendly furniture facelift.
Display Flowers
Fresh flowers add a pop of colour and life to an otherwise dark and dull space. Brighten up your kitchen this winter with a vase of bright flowers and use a colourful arrangement to bring a fresh look to a living room or home office.
Keep your green thumb supple with our winter indoor gardening guide.
Add Accessories
Be smart about accessories. Accent pillows in a bold colour or pattern, a bright-coloured or white throw blanket and colourful fixtures will brighten up an otherwise dull room during the winter.
This nifty trick will humidify your home—without a humidifier.
Be Smart About Rugs
Does your area rug make the room brighter? If you have a dark rug, there’s a good chance it makes the room a little too dark in the winter. Try swapping it with a lighter area rug for the season or just remove it for a few months to let your shiny hardwoods reflect natural light.
Declutter
Clutter can make a room look messy and even darker than it should be. This winter, take 10 minutes a day to declutter and stay organized.
Organize the whole house with these clutter-busting strategies.
Bring the Outdoors In
Plants give life to any indoor space, so bring in some plants to brighten up a room this winter. If you don’t have a green thumb, there are plenty of plants to choose from that don’t require much care.
Check Window Treatments
Are your curtains too dark for the winter months? Brighten things up with light-coloured curtains. You can also open up the curtains to let the sun in during the day, then close them at night to help keep the cold air out.
Light Candles
Candles aren’t just for romantic nights or to add coziness to a room. Brighten things up by lighting some candles on the darkest of winter days. Battery-operated candles are a good option and they eliminate the fire risk.
Go Gold
Gold brings brightness to a room. Look for gold picture frames, gold book ends or a coffee table with gold accents to make a room feel brighter during the winter months.
Keep it Clean
Make a point to keep up on cleaning during the winter months. Windows that are free of grime, a crumb-free kitchen and a freshly vacuumed carpet or mopped floor will help keep a room looking bright and fresh.
Make your home shine with these genius cleaning tips and tricks.
Use Mirrors
Hang a mirror to help fill a room with natural light and make it brighter. To do this, hang a mirror opposite a window or sliding glass door so the light bounces off the mirror and floods the space.
Next, check out these brilliant design tips from Brian Gluckstein.
