During the winter, the shorter days and reduced sunlight can make even your own home dark and disheartening. Seasonal affective disorder is already a common issue for many people during the winter, but with the coronavirus pandemic continuing to force many people to stay at home, this problem may be exacerbated this winter.

With these potential struggles in mind, it may be a good idea to consider ways to make your home a brighter place. Consider these possibilities:

• Brighten the floor—Floors are often made up of dark wood or carpet, but utilising light-coloured rugs can be an affordable way to help to brighten a room.
• Use your windows—Even if drapes or shades are not drawn, they may still obscure a sizable amount of a window. Consider installing a longer rail so that curtains can be pulled further back in order to maximise the amount of natural light coming into your home.
• Change light bulbs—Switching out the type of light bulb that you use can help in making your home a brighter place. When shopping for light bulbs, consider the colour rendering index (CRI). Daylight has a CRI of approximately 100, so try finding bulbs that have similar figures.
• Add more light sources—A room that is lit by a single source of light may have dark corners and dim edges. Try using more sources of light around your home, such as smaller table lamps.
• Let your home shine—Reflective surfaces and shiny decor—such as glass furnishings and mirrors—will help make the most of light sources and brighten your home.

This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. Content by Zywave, Inc provided by TH March.