Brighten a Home During Winter

Sometimes it seems like Maryland winters can last forever, especially after the blustery weather we had this weekend. But, just because it's cold and dreary outside, it doesn’t mean you have to wait for spring to make decorating changes that can lighten and brighten up your home.

We found a great article in the Victoria Advocate (in a column by home and decorating columnist Kathryn Weber) with tips on a few well-placed changes that can revamp your rooms, freshen your home’s look, and make you feel revitalized while you wait for warmer weather.

Best of all, none of these ideas need to cost a lot of money. Here’s just a few:

Add Seating: Bedroom seating is a great way to change a room’s look, but it’s often overlooked. By adding a bench or a comfortable reading chair, a bedroom will feel more inviting and exude hotel-room charm.

Corral Your Coats: During the Maryland winter, coats have a way of dispersing themselves over every chair, rail and banister. Buy an old-fashioned coat rack or hall tree and keep control over the coats — it will make your whole house look neater and make you feel better!

Mantel Makeover: Try a new look on your fireplace mantel. Make an arrangement on the wall with a variety of photographs or prints. Be sure you keep the frames all the same color, and your wall will look updated but unified. As another idea, you can apply sheets of small tiles for an inexpensive and contemporary lift. Either way, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how this simple makeover can enhance the look of the whole room.

Raised Curtains: Rather than hanging curtains at the height of the window openings, purchase extra-long panels and hang them four to six inches below the ceiling. This gives curtains extra design appeal and makes the room seem larger — which is important during those dark, winter days.

True Blue: For decades, blue was the decorating color of choice. But in the past 20 years it has been surpassed by green in many decorating circles. The good news is that blue is back, so you can take advantage of its comforting, relaxing feel and still stay in style. If you want to freshen up your space and make it feel cozy and comfortable, blue is your best bet. Adding blue accents may be all it takes, with a collection of blue throw pillows on a bed or sofa. On a more ambitious level, try using blue paint on an accent wall.

New Light: Replacing old, tired lamps is a fast way to make a change in a room. Find a lamp that matches your personal style, and choose a cheery color that will brighten your room.

Make It Cozy: Nothing makes you feel better in the dead of winter than a cozy touch. One example is adding a teapot or single coffee maker and some mugs in your bedroom or office. Showcase the water pot on a tray with assorted teas or coffees for a touch of luxury that will make you feel cozy, luxurious and pampered.

Did you find this article to be helpful and interesting? Email us at info@shofers.com

_{Source: Victoria Advocate}