Maybe it’s the time of year—cold, dark, uninspiring—but I’ve been thinking a lot about creating warmth and healing in my interior spaces. My studies in interior design have made me aware of the effects your spaces can have on your mood and sense of self. There is an art to designing spaces, and I love how interior design can help the people who inhabit the space. As someone who has had to deal with lifelong depression and anxiety, I am also acutely aware of the need to have personal spaces that can make me feel more at ease and calm. There are many clinical blog articles on this topic, but I wanted to put a more human spin on this topic from the point of view of someone who has not only studied design but also lives with anxiety and depression. I can tell you from experience that your interior spaces affect how you feel about life yourself and the world around you. Your spaces should remind you that you have your special light while providing you with a haven from the outside world. So, how can you create interior spaces that help with anxiety and depression while reflecting your personality? Below are ten tips that have helped me in my struggles… Tip 1: Embrace plants & Biophilic design Biophilia—or biophilic design—is all about bringing the outdoors inside. You do this by adding houseplants, fresh-cut flowers, blooming plants, water fountains, fireplaces—anything you can do to add the sights and sounds of nature. Designing your space by introducing natural elements will add to the sense of calm and healing within your space. (Read about a related study on horticultural therapy and mental health here.) Flowering plants work very well but can trigger allergies. Non-flowering green plants work just as well in creating a calm, soothing interior space. If you don’t have a green thumb, it IS okay to use faux florals. There are so many florals out there that are very authentic looking, and you could even mix and match live with artificial. Do it right, and nobody will know the difference! Plants clean the indoor air and add oxygen. (That has been contested, however, by a few recent studies). Even photos or paintings of outdoor scenes are beneficial, adding a visual representation of biophilic design to your space. Or get the real thing by using views to the outside through your windows while using those same windows to let in natural sunlight and heat (in the winter). The idea behind biophilic design is to tap into the healing properties of nature by bringing some of the natural elements into your interior space. Tip 2: Let in the natural light As I mentioned under the tip on biophilic design, find ways to bring natural light into your space. It’s so important to be exposed to natural sunlight, and it not only helps you, but it helps your plants as well! While it is tempting to curl into a ball and hibernate with the blinds drawn (and there is a time for that), it is not healthy to remain there. Natural light feeds the endorphins you need to feel better and is known to be healing and stress-reducing. According to Healthline, natural light raises your endorphins and serotonin levels and helps us with the circadian rhythms that help us rest and sleep properly. All of this improves our mental health and physical well-being. Tip 3: Create mood lighting When you don’t have natural light, you can create a sense of warmth and ambiance with layers of soft artificial light. Get creative with fairy lights, candles, LED candles, and accent lighting! We are attracted to light, so lighting up the space to create points of interest elevates your mood. Even the flicker of candlelight is beneficial. Any warm light creates a cozy ambiance to the space, making it feel more inviting, relaxing, and safe. Tip 4: Tone down the reflective decor Limit shiny objects and mirrors when you are trying to design a soothing space. The way that light bounces off shiny objects can be jarring and unsettling when you are depressed or anxious and adds to the visual clutter effect. Also, seeing your reflections in mirrors when you are suffering from anxiety and depression can be a bit too much. So maybe use mirrors and reflective surfaces sparingly when your objective is to create an environment where you can decompress. Tip 5: Decrease physical and visual clutter I can personally speak to the benefits of getting rid of unnecessary clutter. Too much clutter is hard to keep clean and can increase stress. Ideally, minimize the physical and visual clutter (i.e., too many patterns). Your space doesn’t have to be empty, but you don't want to think about cleaning when trying to relax. Also, the eyes need to relax and settle on things that feel good. You want your decor to be personal and uplifting and have meaning, but keep it simple when you suffer from anxiety and depression. Too much “stuff” can produce a claustrophobic sensation and increase your cortisol levels (which increases stress), which is no good when trying to unwind. Sometimes, you need to detach from the outside world in a space that feels like a soothing cocoon, and too much clutter makes it hard to shut the world out. A healing space will allow you to block out external intrusions, focus on yourself, and provide the physical and mental space to slow down and practice healing and self-care. Tip 6: Use meaningful decorative accents Only use those accessories and artwork that evoke positive feelings or memories. Be deliberate and meaningful in your choice of decorative accents. This is where you add the “you” into your design. Surround yourself with decor that evokes positive feelings—such as photos, sayings, artwork, and spiritual or religious symbols. Choose uplifting decor that takes you to a place where you feel alive and content in a space where you can heal. Tip 7: Use textiles to create coziness I’ve fallen in love with hygge! According to Visit Denmark, hygge means embracing the simple life, enjoying the moment, and finding pleasure in everyday things. Use the hygge mindset to create cozy spots to “land” in your home with blankets, pillows, blackout curtains (for bedrooms), and comfortable textiles. The ultimate hygge space is a snug spot or nook where you curl up with a book, nap, or gaze out of the window. When we think of cozy spaces, we tend to visualize lots of throw pillows and blankets, area rugs, layered window treatments, etc. This combination of rich textures creates a sense of warmth and pleasantness…a place to cuddle, read, drink a cup of hot cocoa, drink a glass of wine, nap, and decompress. Tip 8: Use neutral colors in your spaces If you’re trying to relax and calm the mind, you want to stick with more neutral colors, such as blue, tan, white, green, or any colors that are more earthy in value. Blue reduces stress and blood pressure and works well in bedrooms for its calming effect. Creams, browns, and greens are earthy and calming, reminding us of nature. White and beige can give an interior a sense of space and cleanliness (although too much white can feel clinical, at least for me). If you need more color stimulation, add small pops of vibrant colors in pillows and accessories. These can be easily removed or exchanged as your mood changes. Tip 9: Inject your space with pleasant fragrances Use your sense of smell to help create relaxing interior spaces. This can be tricky because many items used to scent our homes contain dangerous VOCs or air pollutants. Be aware of these dangers and choose products wisely (such as candles with low levels of phthalates). Safe fragrances and scents will take you to your happy place and leave your home smelling amazing! There are many options—candle warmers, wax melts, potpourri, scented candles, fresh or dried herbs—so you can take your pick based on safety, budget, and preferences. Just an FYI…Lavender is well known (even in the medical field) for creating a sense of calm, reducing stress levels, and encouraging healing. Tip 10: Keep trends to a minimum It may be tempting to follow the latest trends in home decor but be mindful that those trends represent other peoples’ values. Be deliberate about what you put in your space, and make sure it reflects YOUR values and the things that make you feel good inside. This makes the space a haven, so you can tune in with yourself and tune out the outside world. If there isn’t something in your space that makes you smile, try to find something that DOES make you feel good. Remember that trends come and go, so don’t spend money on what is hot right now because it will be next week’s trash, and you’ll be stressing over spending more money to replace things! Tip 11: Hide the electronics Address your use of technology and its visual placement within your space. Find ways to make it disappear so you can relax, especially in your bedroom. First, let’s talk about the visual effects. Let’s be honest, technology is unattractive and does not fit into any interior space except maybe an ultra-modern design. The high visibility of electronics in a room creates clutter and dust and is a constant reminder of messages, emails, and work. If you can find ways to put it away or hide it, do that. Also, the blue light from these devices is horrible for relaxation. (Sleep Foundation has a terrific article that discusses how electronics in the bedroom impacts sleep.) And finally, we don’t fully appreciate the jarring nature of the sounds in the videos and programs we watch. They have far more negative psychological effects than we realize. It’s a good idea to limit exposure to electronic stimuli in the room any way you can. As a person who suffers from lifelong anxiety, depression, and PTSD, I can tell you that there is no easy fix for mental health issues. Getting better often comes down to the right combination of several things, and your mental well-being can change from day to day—hell, it can change from minute to minute! The key is to actively participate in your well-being, making conscious decisions to help lift you out of the darkness or ride out a crisis. Sometimes, it is as simple as changing a few things in your environment. Other times, you'll need more extensive help. But the message here is you have the power to help yourself! Disclaimer: I am not a mental health professional. Any information or advice is purely my own opinion based on widely accepted rules of design and my own experience. If you are suffering from mental health issues, please seek the advice of a trained mental health professional. Related blogs you may want to read: Winter color palette ideas for your home decor Nine design trends for 2022 Eight ways to create cozy winter interiors after the holiday decor comes down Nine hygge decor ideas Biophilia in interior design This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog.
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What is hygge? There is no direct translation for hygge. Hygge (or the Swedish equivalent "mys") is a feeling or state of mind, a way of thinking about life. The term is Danish, but according to Visit Denmark, the term is originally Norwegian, referring to living with a sense of well-being and togetherness—what could be called the simple life. Hygge (pronounced hoo-guh) means celebrating joy and pleasure in simple things. Interior spaces that embrace "hygge" feel warm and welcoming. Interior design that utilizes hygge results in a calm, serene space that lowers stress levels. Hygge home decor should be meaningful, a deliberate act of only displaying those precious items that bring a smile to your face and promote contentedness. The resulting space will have a welcoming atmosphere perfect for sharing with family and close friends. Why use the concept of hygge for winter decorating? Decorating your home with hygge in mind will allow you to create a serene and calming environment for the cold winter months. A cozy, welcoming interior also helps with healing, which is necessary for anyone who suffers from depression and anxiety—a condition that is exacerbated in the winter months. Winter is cold, dreary, and harsh, but a hygge-infused space helps alleviate that reality, providing a safe space to relax, unwind, and rejuvenate. The hygge color palette The hygge color palette is very Scandinavian at its core. This style is a high-contrast combination of a neutral color palette with whites. Warm wood, whites, creams, and neutral tones make up the typical color scheme—think Scandi, Japandi, or cottage core without the clutter. The function of light in hygge design If you think about winters in the northern hemisphere, the season is characterized by low light levels with extended dark periods. So it should come as no surprise that natural light is cherished, with great effort to create other forms of light that offer a sense of warmth and well-being. Mood lighting is commonly used in hygge interiors. Twinkle lights and lit candles add a cozy, romantic touch to a space. Light pools from the warm glow of candles, fairy lights, and fireplaces are treasured in hygge design. Candles are even placed in windows on cold winter nights. Incorporate the essence of fire into your design plan with real or artificial fireplaces or candles. Use textures Hygge design is tactile and textural, using wood mixed with woven baskets and layers of blankets, duvets, pillows, and rugs. Furnishings are usually made from natural materials, like wood, faux furs, wool, and leather. Hygge interiors rely on soft blankets, fluffy pillows, warm wood furnishings, woven baskets, and other home decor made from natural materials to create a cozy, safe harbor from the cold winter. This applies to clothing as well. Soft, comfy clothing and wool socks will help you relax and unwind…and find your joy. Bring nature inside Another integral part of hygge is bringing natural elements indoors. You can bring nature into your home with greenery, houseplants, or fresh flowers—in other words, things that grow. Lanterns, piles of firewood, or branches from outside work well too. Anything organic or made from natural materials will compliment a hygge space. Another way to bring nature into your home is to improve the view outside the window so that you can gaze outside and feel inspired by nature’s beauty. Fill the space with inviting aromas Hygge embraces all the senses, including the sense of smell. Fill your space with relaxing scented essential oils, candles, or aromatic plants. Use aromatherapy to engage your sense of smell with scents like cookies, lavender, pine, or whatever scent gives you joy. Homemade candles, essential oils, lavender, Epsom salts, or even cooking a meal are all venues for introducing your favorite scent into your interior space. Simplistic design Hygge—and any Scandi or Nordic design style, for that matter—is all about simplicity. There is a “less is more” approach to decorating interior spaces, with clean lines and minimal—but meaningful—decor. An uncluttered, tidy space frees the mind, improves your mood, and helps you relax. It’s not about a LACK of decor but more about surrounding yourself with MEANINGFUL collected decor. You are looking to create a feeling of simple pleasure in your interior. Handmade and vintage decor Building off the idea of meaningful decor and simple pleasure, hygge decor will often utilize vintage, antique, and handmade items that tell a story. Handcrafted items and decor created by skilled artisans have a lovely, imperfect human touch. These decorative items have much more of a soul than store-bought, mass-produced furnishings. It is good practice to display sentimental objects that are nostalgic and bring back good memories. Carve out cozy nooks Hygge is all about creating coziness and joy and finding pleasure in the simple things in life. For our interiors, this means creating nooks (or hyggekrog)—book nooks, reading nooks, and cozy spots to take a nap or look out the window. These nooks are smaller spaces within the room, a snug little corner of a room where you can curl up and be cozy and warm. Maybe the space is a small book nook with shelves full of books or a window seat with comfy pillows and a blanket. Whatever this space is, it should be a place of peace and security, with comfortable chairs, pillows, and blankets that you can sink into and hide away from the worries of the outside world. Have a hot beverage station So there you are, curled up in comfy clothes with a warm, soft blanket, a plushy pillow, and a good book…but something’s missing. You can’t truly embrace the hygge experience without a hot beverage! You'll need a dedicated coffee or tea station with ceramic mugs, tea bags, sugar, hot chocolate, a coffee maker, and whatever you need to make your favorite hot beverage (or wine, if that's your thing). Whatever your preferred beverage, the idea is to have a convenient spot to prepare beverages easily so you can quickly return to your warm blanket! So there you have it--some helpful hygge home decor tips for creating a winter interior that embraces well-being, coziness, and contentment! In my research, I keep coming across this book about this topic--The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking. I heard a few excerpts from the audiobook and loved it, so I bought the book! (The link for the book is above.) As it turns out, hygge is not just about interior decor, but applies to a way of looking at life in general. It’s a philosophy that teaches us how to live a more meaningful life…and that’s something I think we are all craving right now! Have you tried any hygge design in your own space? Do you have any more tips you’d like to share? Drop your comments below! Related blogs you may want to read: Winter color palette ideas for your home decor Nine design trends for 2022 Eight ways to create cozy winter interiors after the holiday decor comes down 11 interior decorating tips that help reduce anxiety and depression Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the posts in this article contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I will only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers, so there is no conflict of interest. It’s January. It’s cold and dreary…and I’ve discovered the concept of hygge, of making my life more meaningful, of creating a deliberate sense of coziness and joy. So what else to do but cook some comfort food? There’s no better way to cozy up on a wintry day than to fill your belly with warm, delicious comfort food. Winter is the perfect time to make soups, casseroles, stews, pot roasts, potpies, and many other one-dish meals. I love these meals because, even though they can be labor intensive (compared to box, frozen, or canned goods), they will last for two to three days. (Well, that’s the idea anyhow.) That’s two to three days of deliciousness with no cooking…for an hour of your time! That’s a good tradeoff, don’t you think?! One of my family’s favorite dishes is chicken pot pie. I found this delicious recipe a couple of years back on allrecipes.com, and I gave it a few tweaks to make it my own, namely adding the cooked chicken. It goes over well every time and has become a staple meal in my household. We are a family of five (me, my husband, and my three grown sons), so I always double the recipe and bulk it up with extra cream of potato soup and cooked chicken. The mixed veggies are typically a combination of corn, peas, green beans, carrots, broccoli, cauliflower, or carrots (whichever is readily available or on sale). I’ll leave the link to the original recipe below, along with my “adjusted” version…Let me know in the comments whether you’ve ever tried a similar recipe or if you have any tips to make this recipe better! My Chicken Vegetable Pot Pie Ingredients: 1 lb (approx.) chicken breast or tenderloins (2) 10.75 oz cans cream of potato soup 2-3 bags of frozen mixed vegetables 1 cup of milk Splash of Worcestershire or soy sauce Dried thyme (to taste, I use approx. 3/4 tsp) Ground black pepper (to taste, I use approx. 3/4 tsp) 4 frozen pie crusts, partially thawed 2 eggs, lightly beaten Cook chicken breasts for 25-30 minutes at 375 degrees F. Shred cooked chicken. Combine mixed vegetables, soup, Worcestershire sauce, milk, thyme, pepper, and the cooked chicken pieces in a large bowl. Mix well. Pour half of the mixture into one pie crust and the other half into a second crust. Top each with an empty pie crust with an X carved into the top for venting steam. Squeeze the edges of top and bottom pie crusts together to create a seal. Brush each pie top crust with beaten egg. Place two pies onto baking sheets and bake in the oven for about 40 minutes at 375 degrees F. Bon appetit! Original link to Vegetable Pot Pie https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/13884/easy-vegetable-pot-pie/ Feel free to share your versions (or any tips to improve the recipe) below! This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog.
It’s frigid outside…cold wind whipping around you, your nose feeling like an ice cube, frosty white snow covering every surface. You open the front door to your home, feel the warm air on your face, and eagerly glance at a warm blanket on the other side of the room. We all want a space like this to come home to during these dark winter months. It’s a universal need to find refuge and healing in our homes during the colder, bleaker months of the year. Now that we’ve set the stage, let’s explore ways you can achieve a warmer, more inviting space to ward off the winter blues… The typical winter decorating color palette falls into one of two categories: cool color palettes that lean into the cold season or warm color palettes that create a cozy oasis. But there are wildcards among you! You know who you are—you love energy, and nothing makes you feel better than vibrant colors during the darkness of winter. Your design preference is all about how color makes you feel, especially if you suffer from anxiety and depression. (If you’d like some background information, Benjamin Moore has some great explanations and diagrams for assessing color value and how colors may look in a finished space.) I thought it would be interesting to explore some color options for these cold winter months and see how they can be used to spruce up your post-holiday interior space… Which design approach do you prefer? Let’s explore some options I have found… Warm color palette ideas In general, colors on the red/orange spectrum are energetic, and the less saturated they are, the more relaxing and neutral the color palette will become. Neutral colors (like those on the brown or woody end of the spectrum) will feel warm and peaceful, while more vibrant reds and oranges will fill a space with energy. With that in mind, below is a list of some ideas for creating a warm color palette in your post-holiday living space… Keep some red holiday items out and pair them with neutrals and browns. If red is not your color, try a muted rust. Rust is an earthy red that can be used with a neutral color palette. Keep some of the holiday greenery out. On the color wheel, green is in the cool range, but when paired with warm neutrals, green can add an organic element that enhances the warmth of a space. (Btw…word has it green will be trending in 2022!) Lean into the taupes, browns, espresso, creams, and even whites. Think hot cocoa and hygge! Use this neutral palette (maybe even leaning into Scandi design) as an opportunity for layering textiles to add visual interest. (1 Unique Loom Rushmore Washington Runner Rug, 2 White Wood Pillar Candle Holder, 3 Cable Knit Pillow, 4 Tray Table Floor Lamp, 5 Decorative Balls for Bowls, 6 Chunky Throw) Bring in the blushes, warm pinks, and plums. Pair these feminine colors with earthy creams, browns, and warm grays to create a cozy vibe. Add in pops of yellow…Yes, yellow! Shades of yellow can warm up a space for winter and then be re-used once the spring decor comes out of storage. Use gold metallics. This design approach is not only elegant and upscale, but it does add a warm glow to your space. Cool color palette ideas Now, let’s talk about using cool color palettes. Cool colors can have a calming effect on the mind and body, reminding us of water. If you want a relaxing, peaceful space and love the visual coldness of winter and snow, use colors like blue, white, silver, and purple. You could “warm up” the space by pairing a cool color palette with nature-inspired textures like wood, fur, wool, chunky blankets, etc. Here are some color palette ideas for those who love the cool end of the color spectrum… Cool blues paired with warm brown. You can lean into the nature-inspired decor by combining cool blues with complimentary warm browns. The browns soften the cool blues, making your space more earthy and cozy. (1 Chunky wood wall mirror, 2 Minka Lavery Table Lamp, 3 Neppie Cotton Throw Pillow Cover, 4 Renee Throw, 5 Wexford Home 'Morning Chorus' Gallery Wrapped Canvas Wall Art, 6 Viktor 3 Piece Sculpture Set) A cool lavender—or lilac—combined with grey can be an elegant look for your winter interiors… Or you could go to the darker end of the spectrum, using deep purples paired with cream and neutrals. (The more blue in the purple, the cooler the color will be. The more red, the warmer the purple will be. Take a look at a few diagrams by Just Paint for examples.) Whites that lean more toward the cool end of the spectrum are reminiscent of snow. Lean into a white color scheme by creating layers of varying textures to create a sense of depth and even coziness in the space. Blue is the coldest color on the color wheel and can be used to great effect with cool whites for an interior that embraces the winter season. Keep the palette cool, or add wood or browns to soften the look. White and black combo—often used on the trendy Modern Farmhouse and other modern styles—might be your go-to winter palette. It can be rustic or elegant, depending on your decor style. Use silver and metallic items in your decor. Shiny things create sparkle, and reflective surfaces make a space feel bigger. Cool grey—as opposed to warm grey or greige—paired with white, blue, or other cool colors can feel elegant and neutral. Any green on the cooler end of the spectrum (especially those with more blue undertones) can be a way to introduce a more earthy feel to a space while still embracing a cool color palette. Bright color palettes I know I said most people like either warm or cool palettes in winter, but there are also those of you who love color—bold, bright, luscious colors. This design approach to a winter color palette applies saturated hues that are vivid, eye-catching, and cheerful—the ultimate defiance of winter! Here are a few color palette ideas for those who cannot live without your scrumptious colors! Teal and cranberry is one color combo I’ve seen mentioned a lot. It’s a color palette that feels very Bohemian to me but could be applied to any design style that embraces the pleasant contrast of these complimentary colors. Combine complementary blue and pink colors to create another color scheme with complimentary colors. Use saturated oranges and yellows. Orange or yellow might be your go-to option for drowning out the winter blues! Pops of hot pinks. Hot pink can be a bit much for some people, but if you love the color and don’t want to go overboard, try using it in small doses in your accessories, like pillows and vases. Bright turquoise. Turquoise blue can be used to add vibrant pops of color to your curtains, vignettes, pillows, area rugs, etc. So, what did you think of my breakdown of the color palettes that can be used to spruce up your space after the holidays? Hopefully, you now have some inspiration for creating an inviting, cozy space for the winter months to keep you going until the arrival of the warmer spring weather. Feel free to share in the comments your methods of finding peace and rejuvenation in your home during the grey months of the year. This article may contain a few items or commercial mentions, but I only used them for demonstration purposes only. I am not endorsing any particular product or receiving any monetary gain for this blog. Related blogs you may want to read: Eight ways to create cozy interiors after the winter decor comes down Nine design trends for 2022 Nine hygge decor ideas 11 interior decorating tips that help reduce anxiety and depression Well, 2021 is over, and good riddance! It’s time to think about a new year and a fresh start for decorating our interior spaces. I did some digging to find out the word on the street for design trends to keep an eye on for 2022, so here goes! The need for a home office Lately, there has been a need for a dedicated office space—and office furniture—for working at home. According to Architectural Digest, for those fortunate enough to have the square footage, a private space for a home office—shut off from noise and distraction from the rest of the house—is in high demand. This isn’t technically a new trend for this year, but we will continue to see the demand grow as more at-home workers look for solutions to balancing life and work. Multi-functional furniture and spaces So what if you are NOT one of those lucky enough to have the square footage for a closed-off office? Many people working from home right now are looking for realistic ways to create dedicated zones—rather than just makeshift work areas—that allow them to have a comfortable workspace but not have their living spaces cluttered with bulky office furniture. The “new norm” will be finding ways to blend the styles by using multifunctional furniture and creating a shared hybrid living/working environment (also known as entangled design). Furniture will now have to be capable of double duty while still being comfortable for everyday use…AND remain aesthetically pleasing. In this new environment, adaptable storage is imperative to keep the clutter down, and open spaces—once highly desired as part of the open floor plan—now have to become sectioned off for flexibility of use. At the same time, there is a need for our homes to be more multi-generational, with spaces being shared with adult kids and elderly parents, who all may live under the same roof. I found some interesting examples of multi-use spaces here on bobvila.com. What is old is now new So Covid happened…and now we are having difficultly finding the things we need at the stores. And maybe we are also starting to realize that older furniture and home goods are simply made better. So why not buy something of better quality for a cheaper price? I’m talking about thrifting and buying antiques, which has become a big thing lately. There is a renewed market for vintage decor and furniture, and people are getting more creative in decorating their spaces. It’s a more traditional route, to be sure, but it also embraces the idea of repurposing and recycling. Having second-hand—and sometimes historic—decor in your home gives it a sense of safety and security, a state of mind firmly planted in the past. This trend is close to my heart, as my entire dining room and most of the living room have been thrifted! Retro curvy organic shapes Retro styles from the end of the twentieth century are making quite a comeback. Toned-down versions of the curvy furniture styles of the 70’s and 80’s will be seen more and more in sofas, tables, mirrors, countertops, arches, and lamps. (Remember the mushroom lamps?) Wavy edges and organic shapes are upstaging the popular linear, rustic, and Scandi styles. Individuality and imperfection If you’re a type A personality who likes perfection, close your eyes for a few years! The new trend toward vintage and second-hand furnishings, by necessity, embraces the beauty of imperfection. Furniture now has a story. It’s well-worn in all the right ways and has an air of comfortable luxury. Rather than just buying off-the-shelf decor and furniture from big box stores—where your furniture is the same as the next person's—it’s time to embrace individuality and intention in the design of your interior spaces. Intentional design will go hand in hand with statement pieces, wabi-sabi decor, and layers of luxurious textiles. DIY and handcrafted And what goes well with individuality and imperfection? DIY and handmade decor. Yes, that is a trend now. Let’s just say that with more time on their hands and more trouble sourcing decor and furnishings on the traditional market, people are developing a new appreciation for handcrafted DIY furnishings and decor. Arts and crafts are having a moment, and I love it! (BTW…Visit my homepage to find my shop with beautifully handcrafted items by Di’s Studio Designs!) Sustainability The idea of sustainability is nothing new. The concept has been around for a while, but it’s always been in the background, relegated to commercial projects. However, there seems to be a movement towards making our homes more sustainable and eco-friendly, and that’s always a good thing! The younger generations are thinking about how to leave a smaller footprint, and they care about how ethically sourced materials can help save the planet. The focus for some people is on recycled and reclaimed materials and adaptive reuse, up-cycling whenever possible. For others, it’s simply about having a more energy-efficient home and lower utility bills. Either way, it’s good to finally see residential projects embracing something that used to be relegated to just new commercial buildings. Biophilia and well-being If you’re not a fan of plants, follow me on this one…It’s well-documented that plants and greenery improve the well-being of the people they keep company. They are a little tricky to learn to care for, but once you get past that, they are the perfect houseguest! They make you feel better just looking at them, and they clean the air in your home. But if you cannot—or will not—have houseplants, use windows and doors to open up your space to outside views. Bringing nature inside—in whatever manner you choose—and using natural materials in your furnishings—helps create calming interiors. We’re seeing the return of wallpaper, particularly with floral, plant, and nature-inspired prints. If wallpaper is not your thing (I can’t blame you), try other options--earthy textures, lime wash, and plaster walls, any of which can help you create textural walls that add to the nature-inspired value of your interior space (as shown in this article by Architectural Digest). Earthy color trends Building on the biophilic design theory, the trending colors for 2022 embrace green, blue neutrals, and colors that remind us of nature. We’re seeing more warm tones (including terra cotta) and are moving away from cool grays and whites. Bright spring-like colors that make people feel uplifted are also making an appearance. A few nature-inspired color trends for 2022 are… Emerald Green (Etsy Color of the Year for 2022) Very Peri (Pantone Color of the Year for 2022) October Mist (Benjamin Moore Color of the Year 2022) What are your thoughts about the 2022 design trends? Do you agree or disagree? Do you have a favorite? Feel free to continue the conversation by dropping a comment below! Related blogs you may want to read: Eight ways to create cozy winter interiors after the holiday decor comes down Winter color palette ideas for your home decor Nine hygge decor ideas 11 interior decorating tips that help reduce anxiety and depression Affiliate Disclosure
Some of the posts in this article contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I will only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers, so there is no conflict of interest. So it’s January…and you’re staring at an empty room devoid of all the cheery decor that’s been up for--what seems like--months. It happens every year, and the feeling can be depressing and cold. That’s one way to look at it…But a more positive approach is to use this experience to be creative, as a chance to redecorate with a clean slate. A fresh new start…Isn’t that what January is about? I’m all about using design and decor to boost my mood and creativity, and this year’s challenge is to try to incorporate some of the winter home decor ideas I’ve discovered into my own space. Use greenery One of the easiest ways to decorate for winter after the holidays is to leave out the greenery from the holiday or Christmas decor. Stuff basic off-the-shelf garlands with faux eucalyptus, pinecones, evergreen picks, berries, and even faux florals. Greens and neutrals create a tranquil, serene interior environment. If you want the benefit of natural fragrance, use real evergreens and eucalyptus. Real greens are only temporary...But while they last, your home will smell amazing! Mix live and artificial greens and florals to create beautiful winter floral arrangements, wreaths, garlands, and table decor. Use pine stems, pinecones, and real branches in a vase as a nature-inspired table centerpiece or as part of a vignette. Use wood textures One of the best ways to warm up a space is to use decor with wood texture—wood furniture, baskets, wood accents, anything made from natural wood or resembling a wood texture. For a rustic touch, use branches from your yard to accent your mantle or in a vase as an arrangement. Piles of wood logs or in a basket provide that extra nature-inspired touch next to a fireplace. Decorative woven baskets--used as decor or as storage for logs, blankets, and throw pillows--are an easy way to add texture and style to your living room. Layer cozy textiles Want to make your interior space instantly cozy? Layer on the textiles! There’s nothing like the warmth of chunky throws, woven blankets, and soft pillows to take the chill out of a cold winter’s day. Slipcovers on furniture can be an inexpensive way to add that next level of texture to your space. Keep your feet toasty with area rugs made with faux furs, wool, and sheepskin. Add drapes and layers of fabric to windows to add luxurious texture and keep out cold drafts. This can make your space feel incredibly cozy! Layer lights Don’t put away those twinkle lights! Twinkle lights and fairy strands create a warm glow and cozy ambiance when used with candles. Create multiple layers of light with twinkle lights, fairy lights, LED candles, real candles, task and mood lighting…and if you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, light that up too! Even if you don’t have a fireplace, you can use rustic candles to mimic warm fire that illuminates your nature-inspired vignettes. Play with color palettes When it comes to winter color palettes, you have options! This is where you get to decide what type of colors you love and which ones make you feel good and incorporate them into your new January decor scheme. Benjamin Moore has some good diagrams and examples of warm and cool color palettes in your space, which you can see here. (My living room decor: 1. Paisley decorative throw pillow cover from Etsy, 2. Table lamp from Amazon, 3. Side chair taupe slipcovers from Amazon, 4. Decorative throw pillow cover from Etsy, 5. Chenille decorative throw pillow cover in taupe from Amazon, 6. Corliss sofa from Raymour & Flanigan) Go warm and neutral with creams, taupes, and browns, or embrace white by playing with layers of textures (and even some white bottle brush trees) to add interest. If you like the cooler end of the spectrum but don’t like white, try using combinations of blue, silver, or purple. Be defiant, and go for the bright colors! Bring out your bright-colored accents and decor. Add bold pops of your favorite color with pillows, blankets, vases, rugs, etc. Shop your own decor January is a good time to re-assess the decor in each room in your home. Once the holiday decor gets packed away, you have a clean slate. This is your opportunity to shop your house, move decor around, and redesign your spaces using home decor that you already own. Have fun, re-arrange some furniture, and experiment with space. Let your creativity shine! Use the sense of scent! We will miss December’s Christmas candles, but many of the same scents can still be enjoyed in January and February. Cinnamon, cookie, berry, and evergreen scented candles still have their place in your winter decor…unless you’re looking for something new, in which case you can find a myriad of winter scents at your local home goods store. Other ways to introduce fragrance: use potpourri, essential oils, and live plants and flowers. Any fragrance that makes you feel safe and warm in these cold winter months is okay. Embrace hygge My last tip isn’t a “thing”…it’s more like a state of mind, and any of the previous tips I mentioned could easily fall under this category. According to Visit Denmark, hygge is a Danish concept of embracing joy. Hygge means surrounding yourself with the sights, smells, and sounds that make you feel content. Make your interior space “hug” you and fill you with uplifting feelings by decluttering and adding home accents that have meaning for you. Find ways to pamper yourself with a cozy reading spot, a hot beverage station, some soft lighting, lots of texture, and a plant or two! What do you think of these eight tips for redecorating your space in January? How are YOU conquering those post-holiday decorating blues? Do you have any tips you’d like to share? Feel free to drop a comment below! Related blogs you may want to read: Nine design trends for 2022 Winter color palette ideas for you home decor Nine hygge decor ideas 11 interior decorating tips that help reduce anxiety and depression Affiliate Disclosure Some of the posts in this article contain affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. I will only recommend products or services I use personally and/or believe will add value to my readers, so there is no conflict of interest. |
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