Today is Halloween. Have you read our previous article about decorating for Halloween? Hopefully you and your kids are having fun today at a party!
However, there is problem - namely that, until Christmas, there isn’t much to cheer us up. The days are getting shorter, greyer and colder. Lots of people become tired, irritable or sad - some of us would prefer just to hibernate until Spring! So if you feel the winter blues coming on, why don’t you do a bit of DIY decor to perk up your mood?
Think about comforting foods, smells, textures and colours - things that make you feel better, happier and more relaxed..
Make some display bowls of dried fruits, nuts, and chocolate pieces - add a few cinnamon pieces and baked orange slices and put these around your home. Their scent will fill your home. Alternatively, buy or make some scented candles and burn them in the evening to create a soothing mood. Eat lots of rich soups - they are not only healthy, they will warm up your body& soul. I’ve recently discovered a lovely evening drink: hot apple juice. Just juice a few apples, then heat it up with a couple of sticks of cinnamon and cloves - be careful not to let it boil. It’s absolutely delicious. You can add some freshly grated ginger if you like a bit of extra spiciness.
Find some throws and cushion covers- consider their texture and their colour. Choose something that makes you feel good and will brighten up your home too. You can easily make cushion covers or renew throws by adding new ribbons and trimmings. If you can’t be bothered to make your own, just go to a home store and choose something that pleases your senses but doesn’t blow your budget!
Good lighting can also enhance your surrounding and your mood. Don’t use sharp directional lighting - instead combine several dimmable systems that can be adjusted to provide different atmospheric experiences. You could also invest in a colour-changing light system, or just change the bulbs in a couple of lamps. If you are suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder), buy a special light box that provides sufficient bright, sun-like light.
If you feel adventurous and you’re a keen DIYer, you can also specially redecorate a room in your home for the winter - a space where you can hide or relax during the winter months. Use rich colours and textures (but something you can easily change in the Spring or Summer). Think about natural lighting - you’ll want the room to feel cosy during the long evenings, but during the day it should not look gloomy and dark. Opt for glamorous and shiny finishes - they are very trendy right now. Read more about glossy decoration.
