Winter takes a toll on all of us. If yours is a climate where the long, dark days turn into far too many long, dark months, you may be starting to feel a little antsy for something fresh, something new, something different. It might be difficult this time of year to see anything other than icy greys everywhere, let alone work up the motivation to make over an entire space inside. The good news is, however, there are some simple, low-cost things you can do to freshen up your home and make the last few months of winter more bearable…maybe even enjoyable.

Make it Clean – Before you do anything else to your space, an immediate pick-me-up is to have a space that sparkles with cleanliness. Get out the broom, the mop, the squeegee, and give those floors and windows the bath of a lifetime. For good measure, add in the lighting fixtures and top shelves to your cleaning hit-list. You should be feeling better in no time, and your home will shine.

Swap it Out, Swap it In – We all love throw pillows for their changeability, but when was the last time you actually swapped out the covers? Do it now for a fresh, new look. Even if it’s only one or two pillows, changing a dark wintry pillow cover for a bright, bold one will update the entire collection…and freshen the look and feel of the entire room.

Move it or Lose it – I’m not talking about relocating completely. I simply mean, one of the best ways to feel like you’re in a new space is to rearrange your furniture. It costs nothing, but the change is fresh and fun, even if it’s just for a few days. Switch the sofa for the club chairs, turn your rug 90 degrees, move the lamp to the other corner, hang a vertical mirror horizontally. Even small changes like this can help you see your space with new eyes. Who knows, you might want to keep the new arrangement forever!

Throw on a Throw – If you’re in the throes (no pun intended) of wintery gloom already, chances are high that you’ve got a couple warm throw blankets on-hand already. Trick your household into feeling like spring is around the corner by changing it up a bit. Toss a brightly colored throw onto your most prominent piece of furniture, or add it to the top of your stack. It’ll keep you cozy and warm…and cheery.

Slip into Something More Comfortable – Maybe a piece of furniture is looking tired of winter, too. Sew (or find) a slipcover to shake things up. If you have a boring old plain old chair, slipcover it in something bright and bold! Or maybe you’re a little weary of an already busy print on the sofa, find a creamy white slipcover to calm things down a bit. Give your entire space a lift with a slipcover or two.

Picture sources: 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5.