We Asked Designers the Best Way to Make Your Home Feel Brighter, and They Basically Said the Same Thing

Winter is notorious for shorter days and gloomy weather, making it much trickier to achieve decent natural lighting at home — which can impact the look and feel of your space and your mood. But to counteract these dreary effects, it helps to think seasonally in terms of your home decor. 

“Your space should adapt to your needs as the seasons change,” says Valerie Cardozo, founder and principal designer at CARV Projects. “During the colder, darker months, your home becomes so valuable for your overall well-being, and adding soft lighting, cozy textures, or cheerful decor can transform it into a space that uplifts your mood and helps you feel at ease — think of it as self-care but for our home.” 

If you’re wondering which specific decor category to prioritize for a brighter home, though, I had a few pros weigh in and they all basically agreed on one tiny (but effective!) little tweak. 

According to designers, one of the best ways to counteract the winter woes is by adding more light into your space for a brighter, more refreshed feel. You don’t need to completely rewire your current lighting or renovate your space to promote better natural light, though — a few small changes can make a big difference. 

Mitra Shahi, a principal designer at Shahi Design Group, recommends replacing heavy or dark lampshades with lighter, translucent options in the winter and swapping your bulbs with warmer, brighter LED options to create a more inviting glow. Another way you can enhance your lighting is with the placement. “Stick-on or plug-in LED strips under cabinets can brighten workspaces and add a subtle layer of light to the room,” Shahi says.  

According to Cardozo, you’ll also want to highlight ambient lighting throughout your space. Instead of focusing on downlights, she says to get creative with table lamps, wall-mounted sconces, and other quick lighting refreshes. “Think spotlights tucked behind furniture or plants, small accent lamps on counters, or even a HappyLight for a winter wellness boost,” she notes. “The key is flexibility — combine brighter options with warm, cozy lighting for ultimate comfort.” 

Just like you refresh your home decor, Andrea DeRosa and Ashley Justman, the cofounders and principal designers at Avenue Interior Design, say thinking of lighting from a more seasonal perspective will help you naturally shift your space for the season. “Seasons embody evolution, renewal, and rebirth, and to a certain extent, you should leave room for your home environment to do the same,” they explain. “During colder months, more time is spent indoors, so it’s important that your environment feels warm and inviting,” they add. 

Enhancing your lighting is the most impactful way to brighten up a space, but there are several other tricks for countering the darkness of winter through home decor. For one, try switching up your textiles. “Winter can feel heavy with dark, dense fabrics, so consider swapping darker throw pillows or blankets for lighter, airier options in white, cream, or pastel hues,” says Ishita Lalan, a principal designer at Ishita Interiors. 

Lalan also says that strategically placing mirrors in areas where natural light filters through — even if it only occurs in the winter season — can help amplify the light and make your space feel bigger and brighter. “A large mirror near a window can act as an extra reflective surface that enhances what little sunlight comes in,” Lalan notes, whether it’s a new thrifted find or a mirror you already have styled in a different space. 

To up the ante, you could also add some indoor plants to make your space feel more alive in the winter season. Lalan recommends peace lilies, snake plants, or spider plants, which are known for loving lower light levels and can help purify the air, bringing in a natural and refreshing vibe.