By Rachel Schemmerling- Timeless Living Designs

The tree is down, the gifts are tucked away, and the buzz of December 31 has faded into the promise of a fresh year. Welcome to January 2025, friends.

There’s something magical about January—it sweeps in with a sense of renewal and quiet beauty. Perhaps we’ll even get that first snow before February. Pristine and peaceful, the season’s initial snowfall is always a delight. But as much as I love a winter wonderland, the real joy comes from retreating indoors to warmth and comfort.

This time of year naturally brings to mind Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”), the beloved Danish concept of coziness and contentment. Born from Scandinavia’s long, dark winters, Hygge has gained global recognition, even earning a spot in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, where it’s defined as “a quality of coziness that makes a person feel content and comfortable.”

Hygge isn’t about following strict design rules; it’s about creating a deeply personal sense of comfort in your home. For me, it’s a mix of soft blankets, a mug of hot tea, and a cozy reading nook. For you, it could be candlelight, a favorite playlist, and a stack of novels. While everyone’s idea of Hygge may differ, the shared goal is the same—cultivating warmth and contentment in our spaces.

As we step into 2025, it’s also the perfect time to reflect on our overall wellness. Beyond physical and emotional health, consider the wellness of your home. Does your environment bring you peace, comfort, and joy? If not, let this be the year to prioritize your space.

Simple changes, like adding natural textures, decluttering for a sense of calm, or enhancing air quality, can transform your home into a sanctuary. Whether you’re embracing Hygge or exploring other elements of wellness design, January is the ideal time to reimagine your surroundings to support your health and happiness.

Here’s to a cozy, inspired start to 2025!

By Rachel Schemmerling, Founder & Principal Designer Timeless Living Designs

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that aligns with seasonal changes, typically beginning in late fall or early winter and easing during the brighter spring and summer months. This condition is often triggered by reduced sunlight, which can disrupt your body’s internal clock and lead to feelings of depression. Spending prolonged periods indoors, especially during shorter daylight hours, can amplify these effects.

With more people working and living at home post-pandemic, rethinking the lighting in your environment isn’t just practical—it’s a health imperative. Natural light is a simple yet powerful way to combat SAD and improve well-being. Exposure to natural light offers numerous benefits:

• Provides essential Vitamin D
• Elevates mood and energy levels
• Enhances sleep quality
• Reduces signs of dementia
• Supports overall health

Our bodies are deeply attuned to the daily cycle of natural light, which helps regulate circadian rhythms. Even doctors prescribe light therapies like phototherapy for treating conditions like SAD. But there are practical steps you can take right now to bring more natural light into your home or workplace. Here are five tips to increase natural light and boost wellness in your space:

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1. Optimize Window Treatments

The window treatments you choose depend on the room, the type of windows, their placement, and your budget. Wherever possible, select treatments that maximize the flow of natural light.

• Living Rooms: Use sheers or blinds that can be easily adjusted. Blinds that allow partial light and privacy are ideal, as you can control them based on your needs.
• Bedrooms: Consider treatments that balance natural light during the day with the ability to block it out at night for restful sleep. Blackout curtains or dual-layer shades (light-filtering by day, blackout by night) are excellent options.

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2. Remove Screens During Winter

In colder months, remove window screens that won’t be needed. This simple step increases the amount of light entering your home while providing an opportunity to clean the windows thoroughly.

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3. Upgrade Outdated Windows

Replacing old windows can improve natural light while also enhancing energy efficiency. Opt for larger windows or styles like picture windows, bay windows, or floor-to-ceiling designs to flood your space with daylight. Consider double-pane glass for insulation without compromising light flow.

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4. Update Light Bulbs and Fixtures

Modern light bulbs offer incredible innovations, including LED bulbs with circadian technology that mimic natural light’s spectrum. Use dimmable bulbs to adjust the lighting intensity throughout the day.

• Bedrooms: Choose warmer-spectrum bulbs that emit less blue light, helping your body produce melatonin for better sleep.
• Living and Work Spaces: Use brighter, cooler-spectrum bulbs to create an energizing environment during the day.

Adding fixtures like skylights or solar tubes can also dramatically increase natural light in dim areas.

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5. Spend Time Outdoors

No amount of indoor lighting can fully replicate the benefits of spending time outdoors. Daily exposure to natural light improves mood, boosts energy, and supports overall health.

• When outdoor activities aren’t possible, bring nature inside. Incorporate plants, nature-inspired artwork, or even a small indoor fountain to create a calming, natural atmosphere that helps your mind and body relax.

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Final Thoughts Lighting plays a crucial role in our physical and emotional well-being. By increasing natural light in your home or business, you can create a space that fosters health, happiness, and productivity year-round.

Have more tips or success stories about how you’ve brightened your space? Share them in the comments! Let’s create environments that help us thrive. 🌞

#timelessliving #wellnessdesign #naturallight #windowtreatments #healthyhome #nuturinghomes