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Even with the shortest (and darkest) day of the year behind us, the winter season is in full-swing, leaving our homes a bit darker than a lot of us prefer. When it is too cold and wet to go outdoors, creating a bright and cozy environment indoors is the best way to thrive until spring is back again!

Here are some easy and effective ways to brighten your home this winter!

Switch Out Your Light Bulbs

Though this tip may seem simple, it can make a huge difference! Whether you choose to go with new bulbs of the ones you already use, or you opt for something brighter, there is no doubt that you will get more out of your light fixtures when you really need them the most!

Bonus tip: There are light bulbs/lamps called “happy lights” that mimic sunlight and are especially helpful to those with seasonal affective disorder.

Utilize Mirrors

One home decor trick that will not only lighten up a room, but make it feel more spacious is using mirrors! Strategically placing mirrors in corners of the room, next to windows, or on shelves help to reflect and maximize existing light.

Lighten Up Your Furniture

Curtains and drapes, rugs, slipcovers for sofas and chairs are all easy and effective pieces of home decor to swap seasonally for lighter colors to brighten up your space!

Remove Your Screens

Since windows and doors are rarely left open this time of year, remove the screens to let in more light, you may be surprised at the difference this can make!

Add Art

Adding bright pieces of artwork around your home not only adds your own personal touch to your space, but adds pops of colors to every room!

Create Green Space

Bring the outdoors in by adding houseplants to your home! Not only does this bring life and color to the house, but it also can mimic the green outdoor space that is not usually available in the winter months.

Take Advantage of the Season

It has become a running joke that people want to leave their holiday decorations up well into January, but the truth is that decorations add a lot of light we do not normally use in our homes. Take advantage of the season and put up string lights in bedrooms or common spaces! Candles are another great way to make any space feel brighter and more cozy!

With these simple and effective tips, your home will stay so bright and cozy that spring will be here before you know it!

We sing the song all through December, but now it is time to ask – what are YOU doing New Year’s Eve? The best way to welcome a new year is being surrounded (safely) by those you love, and nothing beats a New Year’s Eve party!

Welcome in 2022 with these 8 tips for hosting a party that everyone will not want to end even after the clock strikes twelve!

Declutter 

Not only is decluttering a necessity after the holidays and before hosting a party, but taking time to clean up, dispose of things you no longer need and get organized is also beneficial mentally. Take some time to reflect inward and mentally declutter as well, allowing the new year to begin with a fresh start!

Decorate a New Year’s Tree

Bring back the age-old tradition of decorating a New Year’s tree! Give your Christmas tree new life by decorating it with tinsel, clocks, noise-makers, disco balls, and whatever else fits your party theme!

Put Up a Photo Wall

It almost goes without saying nowadays, but every good party needs a photo wall!  Designate a wall and create your perfect party theme backdrop. Make it festive with clocks, horns, streamers, champagne glasses, props, and more! Want to go the extra step? Create a personalized hashtag for the night for everyone to use when they post their photos online!

Jazz Up the Bar Cart

Along with a New Year’s tree, take some time to decorate the other main space of night – the bar cart! Deck it out with tinsel, streamers, and even some small props. Make sure it is stocked for everyone’s preferences (including some nonalcoholic options), and plenty of champagne!

Dress Up

Another age-old tradition on New Year’s Eve is dressing to the nines! We are talking suits, ties, fancy dresses and high heels! Any opportunity to stray from the casualness makes a party feel more special. If fancy attire does not go with your theme, make it a costume or themed party!

Gratitude Game

Similar to Thanksgiving, it is always meaningful to share what you are grateful for as one year comes to a close and another begins. Either at the meal or during a time of toasts, have everyone share their best moment from the last year.

Signature Drink

Add your own personal touch to the night with a signature drink! Maybe this is your own special take on a simple glass of champagne, or maybe you want to get adventurous with your own mixology! Whatever you decide, a signature drink adds a special personal touch to any celebration.

Resolution Jar

Finally, what is New Year’s without the resolutions? Set up a “Resolutions” station that includes pens, pencils, and little slips of paper that allow people to write their resolutions and keep them in their wallet, pocket, or purse. For a special twist to make the night more personal, add a ribbon to the slips of paper and invite people to hang their resolutions on the New Year’s tree!

Ring in the new year with love, celebration and a great party with these helpful tips!

This year, our work environments have looked a lot different than we are used to. For the better part of the year, a majority of people have experienced working from home for the very first time. We all got to learn very quickly that an in-office workspace and a home workspace are two incredibly different working experiences. With the added distractions of new “co-workers,” online meetings and adapting to a whole new work life, the best thing you can do for yourself is to optimize your home office.

Here are some simple and effective tips to help you get the most out of your home work space!

Think Green

Do not underestimate the power of adding live plants to your workspace. Not only do they improve air quality, but live plants also supply calming effects to any environment. Plants have actually been proved to not only reduce stress, but also boost productivity!

Design a Nonwork Space

It can be overwhelming to walk into a room with only a desk and a chair and carry out a full work day. Create a space that is not designed specifically for work, for example, add a lamp and chair to create a reading nook or meditation space. This not only reminds you to take breaks throughout the day, but also helps prevent you from sitting at a desk in front of a computer all day as well.

Set Work-Life Boundaries

One of the most difficult aspects of working from home is the lack of structure, which can cause an overlapping between work life and home life that was not there before. Recreate some of that office structure by setting specific working hours (and sticking to them!), closing the door to avoid outside distractions, avoid eating or taking breaks in your office space and stick to your set routine to keep your working week consistent and more productive.

Utilize the Power of Scent

Scent is one of the most undervalued tools for enhancing focus and productivity. With the help of scented candles or essential oils, you can easily create an environment that subconsciously helps set you up for a more effective work day.

Make it Your Own

Just like you add things like photos and art to your office workspace, do not let the fact that you are in your house stop you from doing this in your home workspace! Little things like adding decorations can actually make a huge difference when it comes to your work environment. If you are spending most of your day in this space, for most of the week, make it your own and a space you can enjoy being in!

Brighten It Up

Proper lighting is essential when it comes to an office. Dark spaces can lower energy levels, strain your eyes and make it harder to focus. Whether it is natural light or lamps, brightening up your space is not only healthy for your eyes and increases productivity, but it also supports your mental health too!

These simple tips may seem small, but will make a world of difference when it comes to getting the most out of your home office!

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