How to decorate your home to ward off the seasonal blues

The winter season brings plenty of holiday cheer, but there's no denying the gloomy months after daylight saving time can be difficult. Jason Saft, founder of Staged to Sell Home, offered these tips for decorating to brighten spirits.

Winter is the best time to redecorate

Saft said the dreary winter months are actually the best time to redecorate your space. First, he suggested embracing the fact that wintertime is an opportunity for a fresh start. It's also a time when people are indoors more often, which makes it an ideal time for a home design project.

As you're redecorating, Saft suggested asking yourself, what can function better in my home?

Start with a vision for your home

Before beginning any home refresh project, narrow down the exact vision. Defining reasons for wanting to put time and effort into decorating this winter is a good place to start. Saft suggested writing down some goals: "Let's say you dream of hosting a dinner party but the dining room was never completed," he said. "Or, you want to hang a gallery wall but you need to clear some wall space first."

Don't forget to declutter

Clutter — or lack thereof — can have a profound effect on our mood. Decluttering sets the stage for how a home looks and feels. "Once you pare down your things, you now have room to decorate," Saft said.

He suggested starting in the smallest space, because it will make a big difference in a short amount of time. This can look like replacing shower liners or tossing expired spices.

Decorating tips to combat the winter blues

Once you've envisioned the goal for your space and decluttered it, it's time to infuse joy into it. Saft shared a few of his favorite decorating ideas to inspire a cozy home refresh:

— Swap out fabrics: Using heavier, warm textures, experiment with new throw pillow covers, bed sheets and blankets. According to Saft, this is a cost-effective, yet impactful, way to upgrade a space.

— Use happy colors: "Everyone likes different color palettes so you should go with what makes you happy. If warm plaid patterns don't appeal to you, don't incorporate them," he said. If anything, light and bright colors might help anticipate spring.

— Add extra lighting: Saft suggested adding additional light sources to combat early sunsets and dreary weather. One way to inexpensively illuminate a room is to switch out your cool LED lightbulbs for a warm 60-watt version.

Or, try a new light fixture altogether. Saft said dome-shaped lamps push light up so opt for a different style, such as pendants or globes, that will shine light downward instead.

— Maximize light sources: The lack of light is one of the causes for feeling blue in the winter. After adding additional bulbs, lamps, and other lighting, consider adding other elements that can brighten a space.

One of the more labor-intensive ways to lighten a room up is by painting it. Even if you love the color that it currently is, a fresh coat will look clean and vibrant. Use a glossy paint to reflect light around the room, especially when using a darker shade of paint. Saft also suggested adding mirrors to brighten up a space.

"Always place them near a window so they can reflect more natural light," he said.