11 Ways Your Home Can Help You Get Over the Post-holiday Blues
Summer break season is over, but here’s how to hold onto that warm glow at home
You thought the summer would last forever, but now the nights are drawing in, a cool edge in the air isn’t far behind, and a cup of cocoa (rather than a cocktail) is soon going to feel like a good option. But all is not lost – a few comforting tweaks to your home can lift your spirits, help you positively revel in the changing seasons and even bring back a little of that holiday feeling.
Put up a cheerful picture
Forget mega-extensions or sofas that cost a small mortgage. One big, happy artwork – with a hint of summer gardens, perhaps – can totally change the feeling of a room. Choose an image that has personal meaning, or lifts you up, so you smile each time you see it. These retro flowers are just the ticket in this kid’s room, but would look equally cheery in a living area.
Forget mega-extensions or sofas that cost a small mortgage. One big, happy artwork – with a hint of summer gardens, perhaps – can totally change the feeling of a room. Choose an image that has personal meaning, or lifts you up, so you smile each time you see it. These retro flowers are just the ticket in this kid’s room, but would look equally cheery in a living area.
Build a library corner
One of the best things about holidays is escaping into a thriller or three. But there’s no need to wait for next year’s annual two weeks by the pool – build in reading time day to day, and refuse to feel guilty.
The most indulgent way is to create a dedicated reading nook. The only requirements are a comfy armchair, a suitable surface for piping-hot mugs of tea, and a place to rest your feet. If space allows, go full-on library, as in this book lover’s dream belonging to blogger Kate Watson-Smyth.
Take the full tour of this house
One of the best things about holidays is escaping into a thriller or three. But there’s no need to wait for next year’s annual two weeks by the pool – build in reading time day to day, and refuse to feel guilty.
The most indulgent way is to create a dedicated reading nook. The only requirements are a comfy armchair, a suitable surface for piping-hot mugs of tea, and a place to rest your feet. If space allows, go full-on library, as in this book lover’s dream belonging to blogger Kate Watson-Smyth.
Take the full tour of this house
Inject some colour
Holidays tend to be about intense colour: blue sky, turquoise ocean, rainbow-coloured smoothies, bejewelled pink kaftans… Being back at home after all that can seem grey and dull by comparison.
Revive some holiday sparkle by adding a shot of colour – it’s a fast track to an update, and adds energy and vibrancy. The best and easiest way? A scattering of bright cushions. Some colourful mugs would add to the mood, too.
Holidays tend to be about intense colour: blue sky, turquoise ocean, rainbow-coloured smoothies, bejewelled pink kaftans… Being back at home after all that can seem grey and dull by comparison.
Revive some holiday sparkle by adding a shot of colour – it’s a fast track to an update, and adds energy and vibrancy. The best and easiest way? A scattering of bright cushions. Some colourful mugs would add to the mood, too.
Enjoy your garden while you can
OK, the air might be a tad chillier, but actually autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to be outdoors. So put on a chunky-knit jumper, grab a blanket, make a coffee, then sit outside and watch the leaves turn from green to yellow to orange.
It’s equally lovely in a different way to sitting on a terrace in Ibiza, and good for the mind and body. And plan ahead for next year, planting shrubs that produce interesting colour year-round.
OK, the air might be a tad chillier, but actually autumn is one of the most beautiful seasons to be outdoors. So put on a chunky-knit jumper, grab a blanket, make a coffee, then sit outside and watch the leaves turn from green to yellow to orange.
It’s equally lovely in a different way to sitting on a terrace in Ibiza, and good for the mind and body. And plan ahead for next year, planting shrubs that produce interesting colour year-round.
Relax in a ‘no worries’ window seat
Holidays are really about having a window of time when you don’t have to think about the usual things: work, school runs, bank statements, your hair… I could go on.
Try creating your own ‘holiday spot’ at home – somewhere you can relax and ban yourself from thinking about quotidian matters, such as stacking the dishwasher. A window seat with an interesting view builds in potential for people-watching, too – always a top holiday pastime.
Holidays are really about having a window of time when you don’t have to think about the usual things: work, school runs, bank statements, your hair… I could go on.
Try creating your own ‘holiday spot’ at home – somewhere you can relax and ban yourself from thinking about quotidian matters, such as stacking the dishwasher. A window seat with an interesting view builds in potential for people-watching, too – always a top holiday pastime.
Create a memory wall
You know all those special pictures you’ve been thinking about printing out for the last four years, but somehow, um, didn’t? This Sunday, why not put the laundry on hold and do that instead? Then you can start creating a rather wondrous memory wall like this one.
Include your latest holiday snaps to remind you of what a great time you had. It’s the kind of touch that really does turn a house into a home.
You know all those special pictures you’ve been thinking about printing out for the last four years, but somehow, um, didn’t? This Sunday, why not put the laundry on hold and do that instead? Then you can start creating a rather wondrous memory wall like this one.
Include your latest holiday snaps to remind you of what a great time you had. It’s the kind of touch that really does turn a house into a home.
Revel in blanket coverage
It’s almost time to unpack your winter wardrobe and home accessories. That means fleeces, onesies, high-tog duvets and, yes, knitted blankets. These cosy throws add texture and a crafty, homespun edge, and they’re super-comforting to wrap yourself up in. Choose natural fibres for a luxurious feel, and go oversized knit for a real statement, as here.
It’s almost time to unpack your winter wardrobe and home accessories. That means fleeces, onesies, high-tog duvets and, yes, knitted blankets. These cosy throws add texture and a crafty, homespun edge, and they’re super-comforting to wrap yourself up in. Choose natural fibres for a luxurious feel, and go oversized knit for a real statement, as here.
Turn your bed into an event
You’re not alone if you come back from your holidays with a ton of interiors inspiration that, sadly, just doesn’t work at home, in our climate, and with our styles of properties. Except in the bedroom, that is.
Firstly, no one else tends to see your bed, so it’s a good place to unleash your eclectic side. Secondly, it’s easy to try something relatively exotic and holiday-like – new throws, sheets and cushions don’t have to cost a fortune, and they’re easy to swap back to plain white cotton should the mood take you later.
You’re not alone if you come back from your holidays with a ton of interiors inspiration that, sadly, just doesn’t work at home, in our climate, and with our styles of properties. Except in the bedroom, that is.
Firstly, no one else tends to see your bed, so it’s a good place to unleash your eclectic side. Secondly, it’s easy to try something relatively exotic and holiday-like – new throws, sheets and cushions don’t have to cost a fortune, and they’re easy to swap back to plain white cotton should the mood take you later.
Cosy up your kitchen
Autumn on its way equals more time inside, less pressure to go out – something to celebrate if you’re a natural homebody who likes nothing more than pottering around in the kitchen.
While recent fashions have veered towards sleek and modern, reclaim the cosy factor in your kitchen with pretty decorative touches. Here, post-war nostalgia meets Bake Off bliss thanks to floral Cath Kidston wallpaper, decorative plates and soft colours.
Get inspiration from a cosy cottage kitchen
Autumn on its way equals more time inside, less pressure to go out – something to celebrate if you’re a natural homebody who likes nothing more than pottering around in the kitchen.
While recent fashions have veered towards sleek and modern, reclaim the cosy factor in your kitchen with pretty decorative touches. Here, post-war nostalgia meets Bake Off bliss thanks to floral Cath Kidston wallpaper, decorative plates and soft colours.
Get inspiration from a cosy cottage kitchen
Add a warm glow
As the evenings darken, a dazzling new light or lamp can transform how welcoming a room feels – and make you feel happier, too. Gold, bronze or copper add a warm, consoling glow, even when the lights are off. This room demonstrates how a superb fitting can be the star of the room.
How have you got over the post-holiday blues? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
As the evenings darken, a dazzling new light or lamp can transform how welcoming a room feels – and make you feel happier, too. Gold, bronze or copper add a warm, consoling glow, even when the lights are off. This room demonstrates how a superb fitting can be the star of the room.
How have you got over the post-holiday blues? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
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Living Danishly is having a moment, with a glut of new books exulting the benefits of ‘hygge’. This Scandi concept is all about ‘cosy warmth’; enjoying the simple, everyday things with friends and family, and snuggling up at home – ideally in your own Scandi-chic space.
It’s all the best things, then, about not being on holiday any more, and autumn making an appearance. No wonder Denmark is apparently the happiest nation on the planet.
Browse more photos of Scandi interiors