When the days of winter seem to stretch on endlessly and the chilly weather has got you bundled up and feeling blue, it's the best time to start redesigning your home! No matter where you live -- an apartment, condo, townhouse or single home -- there are tons of areas that could use a touch of fresh paint, new décor or just a change in plans.
Here are a few tips to revitalize your home while keeping you busy; before you know it, Jack Frost will be long gone and you'll be ready to greet the spring season! Change in Scenery It's the number one reason why the winter months are the busiest in the travel industry: we all crave a change in scenery.
You don't need to take the entire family to Disney World to satisfy your need for something new, just simply shift what you've got.
The easiest and most organized way to do this is to draw a chart of each room you'd like to revamp.
Create a scaled sketch of the room, including door frame sizes, and cut out shapes that represent the furniture in the given location (ie: beds, couches, end tables, etc).
Play around with different combinations in the room to see what will fit and what will flow best.
This way, you'll work out all the finer details before you get the king-sized bed stuck in the doorway.
Paint Therapy While the psychological benefits of paint therapy are most often referring to oils and acrylics on a canvas, think big! A splash of color on the eggshell walls in your dining area might just be what you need to feel satisfied.
Be sure to test out a variety of hues in your preferred color before you've covered four walls with a less-than-ideal pea green.
If painting an entire room seems too ambitious, consider an accent wall.
This trendy design draws the eye to the wall, and only takes a fraction of the time it takes to cover an entire room with fresh primer and paint.
Moreover, if you're satisfied with the colors you have, consider adding a trim or stripe with paint or wallpaper.
Using painter's tape, a level and measuring tape, adding a stripe or border in a complementary shade instantly adds style to any room.
Think Bright If you're like millions of people, the long, dark, seemingly endless days of winter wear you down.
An easy way to pick yourself up is adjusting the light in your home.
Upping the wattage within your house with energy-efficient bulbs instantly -- and quite literally -- brightens up the place.
Your Nose Knows Remind yourself that winter isn't a dead month, but rather, one rife with life and the rebirth of your favorite plants and flowers.
Try to keep fresh flower arrangements, or even just a bowl of fruit, in plain view.
The bright, vibrant colors and the scent of nature will give you and your family a little pick-me-up to get them through the day.
For an even quicker fix, try your hand, and nose, at aromatherapy.
Proven to elevate moods, the proper blend of a few drops of essential oils can revitalize you with new found energy.
Scents like jasmine, citrus and peppermints are ideal for combating depression, while lavender, sandalwood and chamomile work to reduce stress after a long day.
If you're stumped on how to use oils, just put a few droplets into a hot bath or with Epsom salts and soak away.
To invigorate an entire room, place some oil in a small glass and let it work its magic! For the best nighttime remedies, drop a few hints of lavender on a tissue and place on your pillow while you prepare for bed.
By the time you slip in between the sheets, you'll be snoozin' like a baby!