HOME DECOR Light Up Your Life! New Lighting Schemes to Brighten (and Cheer) Your Home This Winter

After the glitter of December and the holiday lights fade, we must face the inevitable: the dark months of January and February. While some may forgo the entire Northeast winter season altogether by hopping a plane to sunnier climes, some of us (who like winter) may seek out home ideas to brighten the indoor décor and help chase away the winter blues. &emsp;Other than leaving your Christmas lights strung across the mantle for the entire winter and opening the blinds and curtains during the day (both great ideas), there are many other ways to brighten rooms in your house. &emsp;Here are tips to brighten every room this winter: The Kitchen Lighting Designer Brian Horan (Creative Lighting Design, Lebanon, New Hampshire) recommends hiring a professional to create a warmer tone in the kitchen. &emsp;"Most kitchens I see are underlit when a professional lighting designer isn't involved. Recessed lights aren't expensive but can make a huge difference in how your kitchen looks and, more importantly, functions," he notes. &emsp;For homeowners with a bigger budget to spend on lighting their homes, Horan encourages a more complex lighting design. &emsp;"Adding other layers of light to a room on separate switches is a way to enhance your space to overcome the low light levels we have in the winter. For example, adding indirect lighting (cove lighting) or wall sconces will give you options for different lighting levels and enable you to brighten the room when needed in the darker months." &emsp;Another option is to contrast walls painted in lighter tones to balance out the walls painted in dark colors. Remember that darker colors absorb light, whereas white- or cream-colored walls reflect the light, making the room appear brighter. And while this works wonders for a kitchen, imagine what it can do for a living room or bedroom. &emsp;"Painting an accent wall the opposite color tone of the other walls is a great way to accentuate a room from a design perspective," says Horan. "Much like your outdoor trim on your windows and doors, your house color is usually the opposite color tone." Bedroom and living room Some people spend more time in their bedrooms during winter, sleeping longer, relaxing with a book, or meditating. Opening the blinds allows sunlight to flood the room, brightening the mood. But what happens when the daylight fades? &emsp;"For a bedroom, try adding wall lights if you just have a center ceiling mount," suggests Horan. &emsp;Horan recommends cove lights for people who would rather spend time on a cozy couch in the living room or entertaining guests. Depending on the budget for the entire home, research different types of lighting ranging from full spectrum to LED. &emsp;With LED, you can choose the light source, says Horan. For example, a warm color (2700K temperature) will make things soft and look more yellow. A more astonishing color, 3000K or 3500K, will make things whiter and brighter. The color temperature of choice for most residential settings is 3000K. This will help your space be bright and cheery and get you out of the winter (seasonal affective disorder) blues, Horan notes. Beyond lighting While focusing on lighting design to chase the winter blues away, consider adding tropical plants or succulents that bloom during the winter. Bring in some objects from nature, such as gemstones, geodes, and other objects that catch light and create sparkles that remind us of a summer day. And remember to open the windows to allow fresh air in, even for spurts of 10 to 15 minutes at a time. Fresh air is good for fighting stagnation. &emsp;Sean Kiziltan of the shop Brilliance (Brattleboro, Vermont) recommended going ethnic with light fixtures from other parts of the world that we associate with the sun. &emsp;"I would say that our mosaic lamps have been greatly popular among holiday shoppers, even year-round," says Kiziltan. The shop's lamps come in various colors, and even multicolor designs and all the pendant-style lamps make for great ambient light. &emsp;Kiziltan's store also carries more exotic lamps, such as lamps made from cacao leaves. &emsp;"(These lamps) have been a long-time eye-catcher for visitors," he says, adding that these unique lamps come in various colors, shapes, and sizes. &emsp;However, for people who enjoy the darker days, lighting candles or placing lanterns around a room can also provide a comfortable ambiance. This practice reminds us of the reflective time that happens every winter if we allow it. Use the time to slow down and rest. Isn't that what we need anyway after the holidays have passed us by? Are you 'SAD'? Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is very real and can cause debilitating symptoms such as depression, lethargy, overly tired, emotionally drained and more. The cause? Lack of sunlight. So, if the winter months are getting you down to a point where it's hard to get out of bed, you may want to consult your doctor for help. But in the meantime, there are things you can do to help: - Get physical exercise such as walking, biking, hiking or winter sports - Open curtains and flood the room with sunlight - Brighten up your home with professional lighting design - Purchase full-spectrum light bulbs - Use a lightbox* - Visit a lighting or interior design shop (the funkier, the better) * Lightboxes to treat SAD are more expensive than full-spectrum light bulbs but are backed up with scientific research to prove that it helps sufferers of seasonal affective disorder. However, side effects might include dizziness, eye strain and headaches. People with lupus or diabetes require permission from their medical doctor to use a lightbox.