Chattanooga-area winters can be fierce, bringing frosty temperatures and frigid winds, and people everywhere are trying to beat the winter blues by balancing the limitations brought on by COVID-19 with healthy homes and habits.
This year, why not cheer up your indoor space by bringing the best of the outdoors into your home? Here are three easy ways.
Use natural materials
Wood is a great way to add warmth to any home, whether in flooring, furniture or finishes. Various options and colors are available – from light ash and bamboo to deep mahogany and cherry – to match your decor.
Other materials, such as stone and organic fibers, can make an impact as well.
Studies have also shown the benefits of indoor plants, including improved air quality and reduced stress – both of which are highly beneficial to a work-from-home environment.
Pay attention to lighting
A bonus for many who are able to work from home is the decreased exposure to fluorescent lighting, which can increase the risk for migraines and eyestrain. Instead, try to allow as much natural light into your home as possible.
Daylight provides access to vitamin D, a nutrient linked to fighting illness, heart disease and depression, as well as boosting weight loss. Incorporating circadian lighting – which mimics the range of color temperatures and intensity throughout the day – can also boost your mood, especially where natural light might not be available, and improve your sleep.
Natural finishes, design
In addition to natural finishes, patterns that reflect natural elements – from leaves to birds to shells – can also infuse the outdoors into your decor.
Experts anticipate rich earth tones will also be popular to contribute warmth to homes in 2021, and a number of paint companies have selected calming shades of blue as their 2021 color of the year, reflecting natural elements such as water and the sky.
Examples include Benjamin Moore’s Aegean Teal, Sherwin Williams’ Urbane Bronze and PPG’s palette of Transcend, Big Cypress and Misty Aqua.
Need a professional to help boost your home environment? Visit the Home Builder Association of Greater Chattanooga’s online directory at HBAGC.net.