This time of year, as the days become shorter and the temperature drops, there is often a collective urge to retreat. While modern society can demand that we maintain our regular pace year-round, nature tells a different story. The winter months are not an endurance test to survive until spring; they are a biological invitation to slow down and rest.
“Hibernation” in the human context doesn’t mean sleeping for three months straight. Instead, think of it as a conscious shifting of gears. It’s permission to slow down, turn inward, and create a sense of deep peace within your home. By making small and intentional changes to our environments, we can turn our homes into spaces of comfort through the darker months.
The Architecture of Light
For many people, the most jarring aspect of winter is the lack of daylight. When the sun sets at 4:30 PM, the lighting in your home becomes the primary driver of your mood. To create a calm atmosphere, focus on creating pools of warm light. Instead of using overhead lighting, use table lamps, floor lamps, and sconces to create a soft glow at eye level.
- Warm-temperature bulbs: The type of bulb you use matters just as much as the fixture. Swap out standard bright white bulbs for warm white, amber-tinted, or vintage “Edison” bulbs. Warmer light—especially from amber bulbs— mimics the glow of candlelight or a sunset, which can soften the room.
- Candlelight: There is no substitute for the flicker of a real flame. Even if they are unscented, lighting candles adds a certain air to the room. If you prefer battery-powered candles, choose ones that have a soft flicker.
- String Lights: These aren’t just for holidays. Stringing warm-white or multi-color lights across a bookshelf, mantle, or headboard can add a whimsical element to the longer evenings.
Layering Textures
Winter is a tactile season. Because we spend less time outdoors, what we spend time with inside becomes more important. If summer is about linen and light layers, winter is about velvet, wool, and weight.
When in doubt, add layers. Drape a chunky knit throw over the arm of your sofa. Swap out throw pillow covers for wool or heavy velvet. Consider adding a plush rug beside the bed so your feet meet something soft first thing in the morning. These layers act as insulation and make every corner of a room feel held and secure.
Engaging the Senses
A calm home in the winter is a multisensory experience. Once the visual and tactile elements are set, turn your attention to scent and sound.
- Scent: Winter scents should be grounding. Move away from the floral and citrus notes of summer and embrace woodsmoke, pine, cinnamon, vanilla, and cedar. A diffuser with essential oils or a simmering pot of water on the stove with orange slices and cloves can fill the house with warmth.
- Sound: Silence can be golden, but sometimes the winter silence feels heavy. Curate a “Hibernation Playlist” featuring low-fi beats, acoustic instrumentals, slow jazz, R&B, or classical cello. You could also use a sound machine or online video to play the sound of rain or a crackling fire.
The Ritual of Slowing Down
Finally, embracing hibernation requires a mindset shift. Use the darkness as a cue to change your routine. When the sun goes down, allow your body to wind down with it.
Reclaim your evenings by instituting a “low-tech” hour. Put your phone in a drawer and engage in analog activities like reading a physical book, journaling, knitting, or simply sitting with a cup of herbal tea. This is the season for soups, stews, and baking—slow processes that warm the kitchen and feed the spirit.
To the people who live for the warmer months: winter does not have to be a season of deprivation. With the tips above about adjusting your lighting, layering your textures, and honoring your need for rest, you can transform the cold months into a period of restoration.