Home for the holidays, or having visitors? We at Fireside Furniture love the holiday season!
Some of us love to spend our winters inside and enjoy the company of our families, but some of us can feel a little stir-crazy after a while. Between 10% and 20% of Americans experience the “winter blues” every year. Having family and friends in the house can make the season great for everyone though.
And fortunately, with the right planning, you can love being at home and inviting people over to your cozy space for the holidays. So from the home decor and furniture experts at Fireside Furniture in New Jersey are some tips on preparing your home for the most joyous season!
Do a “Winter Cleaning”
While spring cleaning gets all the hype, don’t underestimate the importance of winter cleaning. Not only is this the time when you’re likely to invite others over for the holidays, but you will likely spend a lot more time inside during the winter than the rest of the year. Starting your winter with a clean home can make a world of difference in your mental and physical health.
If you do two deep cleans a year, make sure one of them is in early winter. The reason spring cleaning is so important is because of the mess that comes with spending so much time indoors. Starting on a good note early on can help limit the clutter, which can help prevent “cabin fever” and make you feel more relaxed at home. (Read more about avoiding and dealing with clutter in your home here).
Decorate With Care
We all have that young child somewhere in us that gets excited when we see our decorations up. Fortunately, we don’t have to lose that as adults.
Decorating for the season can help you and your family feel excited for the upcoming holiday, and it can really improve your mood during the darkest weeks of the year. You can even plan a shopping trip with your family to go pick out new decorations, which can be a lot of fun!
Make Things Accessible
Making your firewood, extra blankets, space heaters, snowblowers, and everything else you need accessible is important. Try doing this during your deep cleaning of the home while you’re already moving your storage items around. Alternatively, you can do this while decorating for the holidays!
Either way, winter is about taking life slow and not doing anything too strenuous. If you have to constantly go out in the cold to get firewood or search for something you need, you’re not going to enjoy it as much. Start by preparing what you’ll need for the winter, including your:
- Clothes
- Winter sporting gear
- Pellets/firewood
- Tools you need
- Backup power sources (generators, solar batteries, etc.)
- Backup heat sources
- Lanterns/flashlights
A little preparation goes a long way, especially when there’s an emergency. We also recommend stocking up on food during the winter in case of a storm. You don’t want to go to the store the day before only to find everything sold out!
Make It Cozy
If you know you’ll be spending more time at home, don’t get anxious. Instead, embrace it by making your space as cozy as possible.
Depending on your preferences, this could mean upgrading your furniture, changing your lighting, or simply getting your wood stove running and enjoying a hot cup of cocoa. Whatever helps you feel more relaxed and at home is the best way to enjoy your holiday season and carry your relaxation throughout the winter.
We highly recommend having different seating and lighting options. If you sit in the same place every day, it can intensify “cabin fever”. Also, using bright lighting in the late afternoon and transitioning to dimmer lighting can help maintain your circadian rhythm, which can improve sleep and overall health!
Also, break out the comfy sheets, grab your heated blanket, and have a fire! This is the best time of the year to get cozy, so make the most of it! (Want more tips for getting cozy, read our post about how to make your house more cozy here.)
Make Your Home a Winter Wonderland
Now that you know some tips on getting the most out of your holiday season, make your home the hottest spot in town. Especially if you’re not a fan of winter, it’s essential to keep your spirits high and invite your loved ones over to share in the joy!
Get started today, and keep reading the Fireside Furniture blog for our latest tips to improve your home!
