5 Ways to Stay Bright When the Nights Get Long and Dark

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If turning back the clock when Daylight Savings Time ends throws you into a slump, this post is for you. It offers just the guide you need to compensate for the shorter days and longer, colder nights—without spending a small fortune on increased electricity bills.
5 Ways to Stay Bright When the Nights Get Long and Dark
1) Switch out old incandescent light bulbs for LEDs – LED bulbs are the most energy-efficient lighting option available. They’ll cost a little more up-front, but you’ll more than make up for it in reduced electricity bills over time. Plus, they last FOREVER—well, at least 20 years. So put in an LED and just fuhgeddaboutit. Make sure you choose a bulb that emits “warm” light, and meets the standards set by EPA’s ENERGY STAR program for maximum performance. The Natural Resources Defense Council can help you figure out which bulb to use where.

2) Light some candles – I don’t have a fireplace, but I do have lots of candles, and they definitely make me feel bright, warm and cozy when I light them. Choose beeswax or fragrance-free soy candles to keep the air clean and healthy. Then mix it up a little bit with different sizes of candleholders: votives, tapers, pillars or a plateful of different candles. I keep them on my coffee table, dining room table and end tables in the living room. The flickering light adds cheer as well as lumens.
3) Hang a string of mini lights – Mini lights are fun and cheerful because they’re so twinkly. With the holidays coming, they’ll be very easy to find. Get LEDs for the most energy-efficient option, and because they’re much more durable than the conventional mini light bulbs. Wind them through your tallest and bushiest plants, up a staircase banister, along a balcony or around a door frame. No need to wait for Christmas to enjoy these special lights.
4) Enjoy your fireplace – If you’re lucky enough to have a fireplace, now is the time to enjoy it. Make sure you have the chimney swept to reduce risk of fire, and use an insert to help send heat from the fire into your living space rather than up the roof. Make sure to follow these additional safety tips whenever you light a fire.
5) Brighten up dark corners – Directional lighting saves more energy. But adding an LED-powered light to a dark corner won’t use much power, so take a look around your home and identify the corners that seem particularly dark, even when other lights are on. You can use HGTV’s guide to make a lighting plan, then consult the ENERGY STAR website to find the most efficient lamps to install.
What other ideas do you have for keeping your home bright and cheerful during the winter? Please share!