Once the heating season arrives, more and more windows are kept closed, summer attire gets swapped out for winter garb, and the “Cool” button on your thermostat is replaced by “Heat.” The change of weather feels nice, at first. After all, who doesn’t love autumn in New Jersey?

But before you know it, enthusiasm gives way to darker, drearier thoughts inspired in large part by fewer daylight hours. Sure, a cup of hot chocolate in front of a roaring fire can help brighten your mood, but sooner or later, the winter blues set in, at least for most of us.

That’s why we offer these helpful tips for brightening things up indoors.

Remove all window screens. This is one of the easiest (and free!) ways to brighten up a home. Just make sure to store the screens in a dry basement or garage to prevent damage.

Clean all windows. Double the amount of sunlight that floods your home by cleaning your screen-free windows to a sparkling shine, inside and out. Use a 50/50 mixture of distilled white vinegar and water in a clean spray bottle for an all-natural, streak-free shine.

Trim back tree branches and overgrown shrubs. Cutting back overgrown tree branches and shrubs, especially in front of windows, not only allows more light to enter your home but also makes it harder for little critters to gain entry inside.

Pull back or replace dark, heavy window coverings. Heavy, light-blocking curtains are great for insulation, but they can make a room feel smaller. Pull curtains and drapes back to allow as much light in as possible or replace with lighter material coverings.

Swap out lightbulbs. If your lightbulbs give off a yellowish light, replace them with brigher LEDs that mimic natural light. By doing so you’ll save on your electricity bill, too.

Add mood lighting.  Hang a few strands of holiday lights around a mantel, window, or around a potted plant. They’ll brighten up the room and add instant ambience.

Give rooms a facelift. If possible, paint walls a lighter color and add pale-colored accessories like throw pillows, slipcovers, area rugs, and decor.

Bounce light around. Strategically placed mirrors make an otherwise small, dark room feel larger and brighter. Hang a mirror opposite a window for maximum results.

Bring the outdoors in. Plants not only make rooms feel brighter, but the right varieties can even improve air quality in your home.

Speaking of indoor air quality, do you find yourself sneezing or clawing at your skin one minute but, shortly after leaving your home, it suddenly stops? If so, you no doubt suffer from poor indoor air quality. But feat not – C&D Cooling & Heating has the right solution for every home and budget. Contact us today to learn more and for a free new system proposal.