6 Ways to Bring Warm Weather Inspiration Home this Winter

The holiday season is over and winter is in full swing (and it won’t be leaving anytime soon!). Whether you reside somewhere unbearably chilly or are just looking to make your space come alive during these in-between months, fear not—there are tons of simple ways to bring the warmth of the outdoors inside without spending all day tackling a DIY or worrying about breaking the bank.

I finally took the plunge and ordered one of these lamps off of Amazon last week. After a sunny getaway over the holidays, I realized how much Vitamin D truly improves my mood—and I’m not alone. A friend of mine owns a much larger light therapy machine and makes a point to wake up early before work each morning, plug in the lamp, and spend 10 minutes meditating—she swears the whole experience makes her feel like she’s spending time in a warm climate, and it’s a great mood booster at the start of the day.

You can never have too many plants (right?!). Browse your neighborhood hardware store every few weeks for new green friends to take home. With a little browsing you can usually find something under $10, so it’s a habit that won’t break the bank. Even just bringing one plant into your bedroom (or placing one on your desk at work) makes a difference.

Wallpaper is all the rage right now (even if deep down, it still kind of reminds you of the ’90s), and peel-and-stick wallpaper is an even better option if you’re a renter. This banana leaf print is a classic that will liven up your space in no time, even if you haven’t seen actual green leaves in months. Think of it as the perfect afternoon DIY for a day when the weather outside is frightful.

Get started by planting seeds now, and then transfer everything outside once the weather warms up. My roommate turned our rooftop into a beautiful garden last spring after spending the winter caring for her seedlings inside.

Whether it’s an image of yourself and a loved one, a beautiful cactus, or a mesmerizing view, you can place it on your bedside table or hang it as part of a gallery wall to spark memories. In this day and age, it’s so rare that we actually print out our photos anymore, but you’re bound to have something frame-worthy on that endless camera roll of yours!

Many cities offer farmer’s markets that are open year-round, meaning that you don’t have to give up your favorite summer weekend ritual when the weather gets cold. Stop by on Sunday morning and pick up some treats to bring home—just because you can’t go apple or berry picking doesn’t mean you can’t indulge in fresh produce.