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10 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues at Home
Brighten up your property and your mood with these budget-friendly ideas
T Stanley
9 May 2014
Cold or drizzly days provide the perfect opportunity to jazz up your home’s interior and lift your spirits. Whether you’re searching for a quick craft idea or a larger project, or just something to bring a smile to your dial, these ideas will make those chilly weekends and evenings much more bearable. Once your done, you can sit back and relax with a mug of hot chocolate or coffee and admire your handiwork – and start planning your next challenge!
1. Create a display
Glass domes, fishbowl vases and footed bowls make cute and very affordable containers for plants such as small ferns, cacti, African violets and baby’s tears. Place your terrarium in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. Consult your garden supply store for all the set-up materials – once it’s put together it will require very little maintenance. You can also branch out to display inanimate objects. Fill a glass dome with sand scattered with shells, or fill a glass bowl with wicker baubles in assorted shapes and sizes.
Find out more about decorating with ferns here.
Glass domes, fishbowl vases and footed bowls make cute and very affordable containers for plants such as small ferns, cacti, African violets and baby’s tears. Place your terrarium in a bright spot out of direct sunlight. Consult your garden supply store for all the set-up materials – once it’s put together it will require very little maintenance. You can also branch out to display inanimate objects. Fill a glass dome with sand scattered with shells, or fill a glass bowl with wicker baubles in assorted shapes and sizes.
Find out more about decorating with ferns here.
2. Brighten up your walls
A quick and easy way to make over a wall is with removable wall decals that come in an array of designs. Buy them online or in craft stores in colours and patterns that keep sunny days alive in your interior.
A quick and easy way to make over a wall is with removable wall decals that come in an array of designs. Buy them online or in craft stores in colours and patterns that keep sunny days alive in your interior.
3. String up some lights If you have an outdoor heater or fireplace, string up some weather-resistant party lights for a fun atmosphere, then invite a few guests over on a cold but dry evening and fire up the barbie or cook a roast. Scatter plenty of blankets and cushions on the seating to keep everyone comfortable under the warm glow of the lights.
4. Install a window seat
On a winter’s day it’s hard to beat the appeal of snuggling up with a good book or magazine in a cosy nook, and what better spot than a window seat for this? Unless you’re a keen DIY-er you’ll need professional assistance to bring this dream to life, however if the budget won’t allow for that, you can always place a day bed or a single ensemble by a large window in a quiet corner and scatter it with lots of plush pillows.
On a winter’s day it’s hard to beat the appeal of snuggling up with a good book or magazine in a cosy nook, and what better spot than a window seat for this? Unless you’re a keen DIY-er you’ll need professional assistance to bring this dream to life, however if the budget won’t allow for that, you can always place a day bed or a single ensemble by a large window in a quiet corner and scatter it with lots of plush pillows.
5. Set up a games room
Transform a rumpus room, roof cavity or unused part of the garage into a fabulous games room by starting with much-loved board games, then adding your choice of a dart board, foosball table, card table, video games, ping pong table and so on. Look for second hand goods online or at garage sales if you simply must have luxuries like a pool table, in order to keep your costs down.
Transform a rumpus room, roof cavity or unused part of the garage into a fabulous games room by starting with much-loved board games, then adding your choice of a dart board, foosball table, card table, video games, ping pong table and so on. Look for second hand goods online or at garage sales if you simply must have luxuries like a pool table, in order to keep your costs down.
6. Play the piano
If you’ve had a piano gathering dust for several years, winter is the perfect time to display it proudly and have it tuned so you can play your favourite tunes. A piano makes a lovely focal point in the home and a cheery song will certainly brighten up a dull day.
If you’ve had a piano gathering dust for several years, winter is the perfect time to display it proudly and have it tuned so you can play your favourite tunes. A piano makes a lovely focal point in the home and a cheery song will certainly brighten up a dull day.
7. Turn your rumpus room into a home theatre
In order to give a little-used room luxurious cinematic appeal, add footstools, as well as plenty of cushions and side tables for comfort and convenience. Invest in a projector for a widescreen viewing experience if the spare TV won’t do. You might also like to set up a popcorn maker, complete with red and white serving containers, plus a lolly bar and a bar fridge.
In order to give a little-used room luxurious cinematic appeal, add footstools, as well as plenty of cushions and side tables for comfort and convenience. Invest in a projector for a widescreen viewing experience if the spare TV won’t do. You might also like to set up a popcorn maker, complete with red and white serving containers, plus a lolly bar and a bar fridge.
8. Bake up a storm
Winter is the perfect time to don your apron and bake hot and scrumptious treats. Whether your tastebuds yearn for fresh homemade bread, pizza, biscuits, muffins or cakes, you’ll end up with a house that’s warm from the oven heat and a pantry full of tasty snacks for the family to enjoy.
Boost your baking experience with these tips.
Winter is the perfect time to don your apron and bake hot and scrumptious treats. Whether your tastebuds yearn for fresh homemade bread, pizza, biscuits, muffins or cakes, you’ll end up with a house that’s warm from the oven heat and a pantry full of tasty snacks for the family to enjoy.
Boost your baking experience with these tips.
9. Paint your fence a cheery colour
Pick a weekend when no rain is forecast and give your wooden fence palings a sand and a lick of paint in a bright colour that refuses to acknowledge the cold weather. It will look as good as new. If you don’t have a wooden fence, perhaps you could paint the letterbox instead.
Pick a weekend when no rain is forecast and give your wooden fence palings a sand and a lick of paint in a bright colour that refuses to acknowledge the cold weather. It will look as good as new. If you don’t have a wooden fence, perhaps you could paint the letterbox instead.
10. Transform your bathroom into a home spa
Even a modest bathing space can be glammed up with a few votive candles, rolled-up towels, a loofah, and a bunch of wicker baskets or glass display bottles to hold soap, salts and other pampering paraphernalia. For a decadent finishing touch, scatter rose petals on the bathwater and toast to your own resourcefulness.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
How will you be attempting to beat the winter blues at home? We want to hear about it in the comments section below, and do send in a high resolution photo of your blues-buster in action.
Even a modest bathing space can be glammed up with a few votive candles, rolled-up towels, a loofah, and a bunch of wicker baskets or glass display bottles to hold soap, salts and other pampering paraphernalia. For a decadent finishing touch, scatter rose petals on the bathwater and toast to your own resourcefulness.
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU…
How will you be attempting to beat the winter blues at home? We want to hear about it in the comments section below, and do send in a high resolution photo of your blues-buster in action.
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