These tips for your indoor environment will help combat cabin fever and help you to find contentment in your home during these seeming endless weeks of winter.
The calendar says that winter is halfway over, but this is the time of year that I always begin to wonder if winter will ever end and if spring will ever arrive! In my neck of the woods, winters consist of mostly dreary, gray days and we often get a few ice storms thrown in for good measure. Not my cup of tea at all! Once in a while we’ll get a warmish sunny day and that makes it so hard for me to be patient and feel contented right here in the middle of winter.
I know in my heart that spring is just over the horizon, so even though it isn’t here quite yet, there are some small things that I can do in my own home to help me “survive” the remaining days of winter that seem to drag on forever.
Tip #1: Bring the outside in.
Whether real, artificial or dried, adding just a few flowers or greenery to your home will say instant spring! I love to sprinkle a little something that’s green or blooming around all of the rooms in my house. In fact, I’ve added a total of five live plants to my family room in the past month. Fresh flowers from the grocery store, real or artificial boxwood anything and dried hydrangeas are a few of my favorites.
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Tip #2: Bring in natural light.
As long as the sun is shining, I almost, almost don’t care how cold it is outside. I absolutely crave the sun this time of year. I try to take advantage of those few and far between sunny winter days, by throwing open those curtains and blinds and letting the sun pour into the house. Even better – I’ll get an instant mood lifter, by actually spending some time sitting in front of one of those warm and sunny windows!
Tip #3: Use light colors in your home.
Yes, darker colors can make a room feel cozy, but if you’re combating the winter doldrums, adding white touches in your home will create the feeling of lightness that we all associate with spring. Try adding white pillows, accessories, throws or even a add white accent wall. You might be surprised at what just a little bit of white in a room can do!
Thankfully, for those of us who crave the warmer weather, winter doesn’t last forever! I hope these simple tips will help to get you through until spring finally arrives.
Anne Marie says
February 9, 2017 at 6:47 AMGreat ideas.!!!
Vickie M says
February 10, 2017 at 1:27 PMI just love the look of your house! Thanks so much for sharing these great ideas.
Bren says
February 9, 2017 at 6:53 AMI have started buying tulips almost every week. Tulips say Spring!
sandi says
February 9, 2017 at 7:02 AMI am trying to downsize my blog list—you make it really hard to make progress in that! 🙂
Susan says
February 9, 2017 at 7:12 AMI’m with you. Hate the gray, cold days of winter. Spring can’t come soon enough!
Heidi Sentz says
February 9, 2017 at 7:18 AMJust the inspiration I needed on this gray February day!
Teresa says
February 9, 2017 at 7:25 AMEnjoyed these hints to help with winter blues! You made such super suggestions.
Kristi says
February 9, 2017 at 7:28 AMThanks!! I needed this! So ready for Spring to arrive!!!
Tammy says
February 9, 2017 at 7:29 AMAll good ideas! I love getting inspiration from your house. It’s gorgeous!
Alice says
February 9, 2017 at 7:30 AMI look forward to each new season. But I enjoy our Vermont winters. It is a time to putter around the house, making soup, working on crafts or cuddling in my favorite chair near our pellet stove with my precious pug on my lap. After Valentine’s day I will bring out my Easter decor and start to look forward to spring. Thanks for your inspiration.
Annie says
February 9, 2017 at 7:48 AMI can’t wait for the dull of winter to be over! Bring on spring!
Phyl says
February 9, 2017 at 7:52 AMI love bringing the outside in, especially with flowers. Tulips make my day this time of year.
Tina says
February 9, 2017 at 8:05 AMWe’ve been teased with warm days lately. I too so ready for warm to stay! Spring is one of my most favorite seasons!
Juliana says
February 9, 2017 at 8:06 AMThanks for the tips! I am so looking forward to having the windows open & letting in the fresh air.
Sherry says
February 9, 2017 at 8:41 AMGreat advice! I am already implementing your tips. Spring is coming!
Patricia says
February 9, 2017 at 8:50 AMI want to bring home some daffodils. Nothing says spring like that.
Rae Endreola says
February 9, 2017 at 8:53 AMThanks for some wonderful tips to brightening up my house! Fresh flowers is always my pick-me-up!
Julie Garza says
February 9, 2017 at 8:58 AMThose little touches of spring green — boxwood, mossy spheres, etc. — REALLY make a difference. Come on, Spring!
Beth Stansell says
February 9, 2017 at 9:04 AMThanks for sharing your ideas! I love to bring nature into my home as well–this helps tremendously with inching closer to spring. Love to see the green around my house!! Everyday we are getting closer! Here in NC, we have had a mild winter and my daffodils are blooming!!!! I fear they wish they were back in the ground as it will get down to 22 degrees tonight!
Rebecca Nelson says
February 9, 2017 at 9:21 AMThanks for the tips. I am itching to pull out my nests, eggs and forsythia, but it just isn’t time yet.
Kelley Woerther says
February 9, 2017 at 9:27 AMWould love to let the sun in…if it would come out. Great ideas!
Donnamae says
February 9, 2017 at 9:32 AMAll great ideas! The sun is out today…and even though there is snow on the ground….it’s a psychological lift! I’ve been taking extra good care of my plants…refreshing them, repotting…I need to dig in the dirt! 😉
Pamela G says
February 9, 2017 at 9:38 AMI love your ideas for surviving dreary winter days!
Starr says
February 9, 2017 at 9:46 AMThat’s what I need, some flowers. Lol
Debbie says
February 9, 2017 at 9:47 AMWe had a tase of Spring for the last days in VA. Today back to Winter. Thanks for your tips!!
Sharon says
February 9, 2017 at 9:55 AMI especially love those dried hydrangeas above your buffet! Hydrangeas make me smile any time of year!
Jill Miglin says
February 9, 2017 at 9:59 AMThanks for the great ideas and inspiration.
Amy Miller says
February 9, 2017 at 10:02 AMThanks for the tips. The winter months are so long up here in the north and sooo grey. It’s hard to get motivated. I’m going to try a couple of your suggestions.
Virginia Jones says
February 9, 2017 at 10:08 AMHydrangeas are my year round favorite…can’t get enough!
Edy says
February 9, 2017 at 10:21 AMYour suggestions bring Spring so much closer…
Great ideas
Linda R says
February 9, 2017 at 10:26 AMSuzy – You are so right! I put away the Christmas décor and to avoid the house looking so bare, I leave some winter “seasonal” pine and a snowman or two. I leave just enough to transition to Valentine’s Day and then on to Spring! But, our temps here in the Northeast have been in the 50’s and even reached 65 degrees one day in early February. My heart sang! I went outside and walked along the yard looking for signs of Spring, enjoying the sunshine and being outdoors. Alas, my snowmen looked so out of place – but a fickle girl, Miss Winter is. I resisted the urge to get out tulips and birds’ nests. Today, we have four inches of snow on the ground. And those winter greens and snowmen look just fine!
Debra May says
February 9, 2017 at 10:35 AMIt does look closer to spring in the Worthing Court Manor… Really starting to like the blue/green combination. Blue flowers and mason jars and green box woods. Great touches!!
Eileen says
February 9, 2017 at 10:48 AMI love all your touches it makes it personal and cozy.
Lauren says
February 9, 2017 at 10:53 AMGreat ideas!!!! Thanks!
Janis Hill says
February 9, 2017 at 10:55 AMYou make some great suggestions. One thing I would do differently though is instead of sitting in front of that sunny wondow i would take a walk – even if it were just around the yard.
Ruth Mulhall says
February 9, 2017 at 11:01 AMMore great ideas, Suzy! PS? Is there a tutorial on how you made your wall sconce plaques?
Julie B. says
February 9, 2017 at 6:12 PMI hope I’m not butting in where I’m not supposed to… If you do a search on “lantern”, the tutorial is the second listed. https://www.worthingcourtblog.com/diy-hanging-lantern-tutorial/
Suzy says
February 10, 2017 at 10:16 AMHi Ruth. Here’s the link for the tutorial for the hanging lantern “scones”: https://www.worthingcourtblog.com/diy-hanging-lantern-tutorial/
Linda Manuel says
February 9, 2017 at 11:17 AMExcellent ideas. I need to find me a boxwood wreath that doesn’t look phony! Your breakfast room is to die for! But I’ve said that numerous times on here, lol!
Janice Stewart says
February 9, 2017 at 11:26 AMGreat ideas. Adding flowers to my shopping list. Like how you mix painted accessories with your wood furniture.
Jamie says
February 9, 2017 at 12:52 PMI feel the xact same way, sort of pacing myself through winter, expecting lots of rain today. I agree with the commenter above…love mixing painted and wood pieces!
Nancy Walden says
February 9, 2017 at 1:24 PMSo Cal has had an unusual amount of rain this winter. I was surprised when I realized that an entire week of cloudy, rainy weather drained my energy! I love your style!
Melanie says
February 9, 2017 at 1:25 PMI’m definitely ready for Spring here! We’ve had some warmer spring-like weather the last few days, but today Winter is back and no snow to justify the cold. I think I will pull out my spring floral arrangements to help with my blah, over it feelings. Thank you for the advice!
Mary L says
February 9, 2017 at 1:41 PMI love winter and the slow peaceful time it brings. Hot, humid summers are not my cup of tea. Embrace winter!!
Lauren@SimplyLKJ says
February 9, 2017 at 5:12 PMWe have had such crazy weather this winter. I believe we are in for an early spring as everything is already starting to bloom, but we’ve experienced freezing temps in early April in the past, so who knows. Great tips.
Deb says
February 9, 2017 at 5:33 PMThanks for the encouragement, Suzy!
Carol Elkins says
February 9, 2017 at 5:51 PMI wish we had a winter!!! I’m in Florida and we haven’t had hardly any cold weather. I hope Spring comes soon for you!
Julie B. says
February 9, 2017 at 6:05 PMGreat ideas… However, because we have had so little rain for so many years, her in SoCal I think we are enjoying the winter for as long as it will last… at least that’s how I feel right now! 😉
Martha Miller says
February 9, 2017 at 7:02 PMEspecially love the greenery!
Pam Cates says
February 9, 2017 at 8:33 PMGoing for some “faux” greenery right away. Go away WINTER! Your weather sounds alike like Oklahoma. We were 28 degrees this am and 70 degrees by mid-afternoon. Crazy! No wonder we are all sick with sinus trouble!
Pam Ballard says
February 9, 2017 at 8:45 PMThis was an awesome inspiring post. Having just got back from Disneyland with sun and 78 I feel like winter will never end. I think if I could afford to break up winter with a January or Feb vacation each year going someplace warm would be nice. However not sure the checkbook would agree. Will try some of your hints. Thanks for sharing.
Lynn Fowler says
February 9, 2017 at 10:51 PMI already have a few daffodils blooming, so I cut a few to bring inside to enjoy and it`s amazing how cheerful they look. such a mood changer.
Christi Sherrill says
February 9, 2017 at 11:02 PMLove fresh flowers in the house. My treat to me!
Bonnie says
February 9, 2017 at 11:25 PMThanks for the good tips. We’ve had a mild Winter in the Fort Worth, Texas area so I feel very blessed but I will be happy to welcome Spring!
Sharon S. says
February 9, 2017 at 11:58 PMI have been using lots of preserved boxwood around the house since taking down the Christmas decorations. It really helps make the house less bare looking.
Kelly Middleton says
February 10, 2017 at 7:22 AMI agree with adding white to your decor. I recently added white drapes and white dishes to my dining room decor. Wow, what a difference! So, bright and light.
Leeanne Wheeler says
February 10, 2017 at 8:33 AMI love adding flowers and greenery to my home! Hydrangea, Daisy’s, sunflowers and boxwood are my favorites! Thank you for your inspiration!
Linda says
February 10, 2017 at 8:51 AMAll of your ideas are so inspiring’. Keep them coming!!! So ready for nice and warm spring weather with many sunny days!!
Trena Cable says
February 10, 2017 at 9:39 AMThanks for the hints. Feels like we haven’t seen the sun in forever. Have noticed it getting lighter in the mornings though and that makes me very happy.
Shawn says
February 10, 2017 at 11:33 AMI am ready for Spring.
Suzie says
February 10, 2017 at 11:44 AMI love all of your whites and natural elements with just that right pop of color. Your farmhouse decor is absolutely beautiful. On those cold and dreary days your decor always looks cozy.
Jacy Cole says
February 10, 2017 at 12:04 PMVery welcome ideas-thank you!!
Debi says
February 10, 2017 at 12:05 PMI have always had plants and flowers in the house. Makes it seem like I am out in the garden watching things grow and bloom. Such a stress relief
Terry says
February 10, 2017 at 1:52 PMSpring flowers look so pretty in white vases and pitchers, I can’t wait for them to start blooming.
Cheryl says
February 10, 2017 at 6:26 PMYour house is gorgeous! Can’t wait to get your blog in my email , as you have great ideas!
mattsgramma says
February 11, 2017 at 7:14 AMLove your greenery, especially the touches of boxwood.
Myrna says
February 11, 2017 at 8:40 PMSuzy, I am curious. Is there a different side board cabinet in picture 2 and 3 ? One has drawers and one has doors.
I really like the second one.
Suzy says
February 12, 2017 at 7:18 AMHi Myrna. Yes, they’re two different pieces. The one with drawers is in my breakfast area and I use it to store all of my table linens, kitchen towels, tablecloths, etc. The one with the doors is the sideboard in my dining room. I painted it when I did the dining room makeover.
Florence Krakofsky says
February 13, 2017 at 9:11 AMLove your ideas!
Sandra Barnhart says
February 14, 2017 at 7:15 AMWaiting on spring!
Elaine Dunn says
February 14, 2017 at 11:58 AMLove your tips! I’ve lived in Phoenix AZ for many years and we are blessed with beautiful winter weather………but we are moving to Colorado this year and I’m certain I will be using these next winter!
M Mixon says
February 16, 2017 at 12:50 AMI enjoy your blog so much and look forward to it! Great ideas for the winter blues!!
Cindy Johnson says
January 28, 2019 at 7:06 AMI enjoy your blog but I have a question. What blue is the side table beside your fireplace? That is the exact color I am looking for the paint a table I have. Thanks
Suzy says
January 28, 2019 at 7:34 AMHi Cindy. It’s Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in Napoleonic Blue. 😀
Mary says
January 28, 2019 at 2:54 PMSuzy nothing brightens like a bit of white. I recently painted the living room/dining room white and the transformation is startling. I actually felt as if a cloud had been lifted.
Suzy says
January 28, 2019 at 3:53 PMI know exactly what you mean – it’s amazing what some white can do to a room!