| Winter is on the way. The holidays can mean | | | | watt soft light bulb will do the trick. |
| having lots of family and friends over to your | | | | If you have a fireplace, you're in luck. There's |
| house, so it's time to get your home ready for it. | | | | nothing like a fire to warm the spirit and relax the |
| The stresses of the season, winter depression | | | | mind. The warm glowing light is perfect for |
| and less daylight hours can all bring you down. Plus | | | | drawing you into its warm aura. Provide seating |
| if your home is small, you can start to feel | | | | around the fire and coasters on the hearth for |
| trapped and things can get cluttered with all the | | | | mugs of hot chocolate or tea. If you don't have a |
| extra coats, hats, gloves and boots lying around. | | | | hearth, small end tables on either side will let |
| Start now and turn your little cabin into a cozy | | | | people know that this is a place where they can |
| little safe-haven that is inviting to you, your family | | | | sit and relax. If you don't have room for chairs in |
| and your guests. Have a warm cozy winter this | | | | this area, decorative floor pillows or fluffy rugs will |
| year. Use decorating tips and lighting schemes to | | | | invite people to sit. |
| accomplish a stylish, organized environment, even | | | | Use upward lighting on the walls to accent family |
| in a small space. | | | | pictures or art. Use downward lighting, like from |
| First, get organized. Get yourself some high | | | | lamps or hanging lights, to direct people towards |
| quality wooden hangers for those heavy coats | | | | areas where you want them to mingle. Use lots |
| and start with your coat closet. Organize hats, | | | | of soft textured fabrics to add to the coziness of |
| gloves and scarves in small drawer cabinets or in | | | | the area. Throw blankets and plush pillows make |
| over-the-door closet organizers. Shoes should be | | | | any room look more inviting, even if you have |
| about the only thing on the floor of your closet. | | | | stiff leather couches. Busy patterns can make a |
| Get rid of coats that you never wear and store | | | | room look smaller, so stick to discreet patterns |
| formal ones in a spare bedroom. You can also use | | | | and solids when decorating. Dark colors can make |
| the top shelf of your coat closet to store them in | | | | a room cozier, but if the space seems small |
| boxes or collapsible bags. Once everything is in | | | | already, make sure that your accents are light |
| place, you're ready to tackle the entryway of | | | | and don't add to the darkness of the space. Large |
| your home. | | | | mirrors can open up a space and reflect soft light |
| Provide a bench or cozy seat by the door to | | | | around the room. |
| invite guests to take off their shoes. A discreet | | | | Use your creativity and imagination when |
| shoe rack or organization cabinet will give | | | | decorating your small home. Personalize it to your |
| everything a place to go and make your guests | | | | taste and keep comfort in mind. Making the space |
| feel at home. Use warm lighting in this area to | | | | usable and less formal will make your home feel |
| make it relaxing and inviting. A small lamp or low | | | | like a retreat away from the cold this winter. |