Keeping Home Spaces Looking Bright in the Winter

The British Isles have their plus points and minus points. Generally one would consider the art and culture of buzzing metropolises like London a plus point, the weather however is usually considered a minus point.

It’s true that the weather can be very volatile, even in the summer, but the real downside comes when the winter comes and the days shorten – reaching a dark peak with 7 hours and 49 minutes of daylight come December 21st.

It’s a deep dark winter; we can’t get away from that fact. It’s a wonder that people are able to get out of bed, with the sun not rising until 8 a.m. at the darkest times. Still, people can make an impact on their homes to make them happy energetic places even in the deep mid-winter blues that can beset even chirpiest of Brits.

So, what are some tips?

Maximising light in a space is one of the best ways to make it more pleasant to be in. Think about when you awaken in the morning in the glorious days of summer, you would nearly always be able to spring right out of bed with sunshine streaming through the windows. The aim is to recreate this feeling by maximising natural light and augmenting it with artificial light during the winter.

Think about the following tips when it comes to light in order to make the space of your home brighter and more liveable during winter time;

• White Reflects Light & Black Absorbs Light – The colour palette of your home will play a vital role in how much light can be maximised. As a general rule, bright colours reflect light whilst dark ones absorb it. If you’re unable to change the tone of the walls, try and change the furniture and décor to brighter colours that reflect light.

• Think About Fixtures & Fittings – The strip lights that adorn the stock rooms of the most dank corner shops still somehow play a role in the homes of Britain. For shame! If you have one of these horrible buzzing incandescent bulb lights consider replacing them with a fitting with more intense light. Halogen lights are particularly bright, and LED lights are quite bright also – and use considerably less energy so they are a good alternative.

• Décor – Scouring the streets and giving art gifts to friends is a fantastic way to be given some in return, and they can be very useful for brightening up dark rooms. Try using bright coloured prints or perhaps canvases for a more textured look. It all helps maximise the light and can bring a touch of colour and warmth in the winter months which will be most welcome.

Effective use of light is a very important aspect of making your home more liveable in the winter months. Consider using a decorative lamp with a shade that has a warm colour, like an orange or red, to create the illusion of heat – you’d be surprised how far this goes in tricking your mind into thinking that it’s warmer and brighter inside.

One of the most common ways of effectively decorating a home is coming up with innovative storage ideas for all of the knick-knacks and paddy whacks that we all seem to accumulate. Without effective storage you’re quite likely be bogged down with clutter and general untidiness.

Space is important for the winter time, as well as the summer, because it adds an airiness that makes the space much more liveable and has the peace of a wide open space. With effective light and intelligent use of space the light and breezy atmosphere that is so desirable in the winter time can be recreated.

Some tips for effective storage include…

Storage boxes are cheap, sturdy and can easily be placed in a loft, wardrobe or anywhere else that’s tucked away. You can pretty much buy them anywhere, and they are fantastic for all of your unused stuff that you just can’t bear to get rid of.

The best way to get rid of the appearance of clutter is to get rid of the clutter itself. Try going through everything you have and ask yourself whether you need each item or not. Those with mild hoarding might find this hard, but think about how beautifully spacious and tidy your home will look after you’re finished. It’s also worth noting that nipping the hoarding in the bud before things get out of hand is probably best!

There are some fantastic storage solutions offered by amazing designers that are integrated with furniture. Whether it’s a sofa with removable parts that reveal hidden storage areas, a bed with a rolling draw underneath or a chair with built in bookshelf – there are some very innovative ways of incorporating storage into your furniture.

Space is at a premium in most homes, so it’s always important to maximise it if you want a light airy home that is easy to move through. Overall, more space increases the functionality of a home - as it allows everything to be used with enough space around it.

There are an amazing amount of people who don’t consider the ‘flow’ of their home. A home without a well-laid out flow of furniture and decoration will inevitably become an obstacle course. Think about it, when you get home and it’s dark, you’re cold and you can barely move you don’t want to have to squeeze through gaps between tables in your heavy winter coat.

Think about the way that each room is constructed, you can’t block entryways – keep furniture well inside rooms. Entryways are key to the overall flow of the house – so always try and match this so that you’ll be able to naturally move through the space freely which makes the space much easier to use.

Even the dingiest student flats can benefit from incorporating a bit of intelligent interior design. You should not be shy of trying out some of the techniques explored here. They can help you make the winter much more enjoyable – meaning that you can have the same energy and spark all year round.

Thanks for reading. Please let me know what you think. Also look at the rest of my stuff on Instructables. I’d recommend “Tips On Delivering A Professional PowerPoint Presentation”.

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