I’m Using These Stylish Finds to Make My Dark Apartment Feel Brighter This Winter

Editors collectively lost it when West Elm Kids dropped this adorable flower lamp last year, and it’s been on my wish list ever since. It’s so whimsical and surprisingly stylish for a piece intended for kids! It’s also a reminder that spring is coming … eventually.

I know we all love our blackout curtains, but the darkness is too much to bear this time of year. So I’ll be swapping mine for airy, cotton dobby curtains that let the light in while still giving me a sheer veil of privacy. The tie top gives them a coquettish look, too, that’s very on-trend.

Mirrors are an easy way to maximize every crumb of natural light and make a small space feel larger. This one from Anthropologie does both despite its small proportions. And the thick, glossy frame with scallop detailing brings a bit of lively color and playfulness to spaces in need of a pick-me-up.

Turn your apartment’s harsh overhead boob light into a warm statement piece with a Tulip shade. The brand makes various stylish, easy-to-install shades, but the aptly named sunlight one is just what the winter blues call for. It’s inspired by the soft glow of golden hour (remember that?), so the vibes stay high, even if you haven’t seen the sun in weeks.

Bright and cozy aren’t mutually exclusive. This Anthropologie throw proves it with its stylish gingham front and toasty sherpa back. The print brings a pop of mood-boosting color to your couch or bedspread, while giving you a light layer of coziness. There are other lively print options, too!

If your bathroom has a window, consider swapping your opaque shower curtain for the Quiet Town Sun Shower to make the most of the natural light. The transparent EVA curtain turns even mildly lit bathrooms into a dreamy oasis of color, according to editors, and somehow makes even the tiniest of bathrooms feel so much larger. It comes in a bunch of beautiful colors, but I’m loving the peachy tone of the Cloud!

You can always count on rugs to reinvigorate a dull-feeling space, and this Ruggable x Anthropologie collab just oozes whimsy with its hand-drawn flora and fauna. And the airy pink and teal color palette lightens up a dark space, too. It’s also machine washable and doesn’t require an extra rug pad — I’m feeling happier already.

My love for this petite table lamp is twofold: It’s obviously a great way to layer light and make a sad-looking space feel brighter, but the mirrored chrome base — in addition to just looking good — functions as a reflective surface to amplify light even further, making it perfect for the wintertime.

The wintertime leaves no hope for the horticulturally challenged like me, which is why I'll be styling faux plants to breathe life into my space. This artificial pothos plant would bring some fresh green to my bookshelf, and it looks surprisingly realistic, according to Amazon shoppers!

Throw pillows are a low-lift way to lighten up a gloomy space, and this one from Urban Outfitters does exactly that with its frilly ruffles and ditsy floral print. There’s also a punchy, purple style that looks like it’d energize any room.