Winter Greens: How Indoor Plants Warm Up Your Home (and Your Mood)

When winter hits, our homes start working overtime. The heat is running, the windows stay shut, the light shifts cooler and shorter, and suddenly even your favorite room can feel a little… flat. One of my go-to design “fixes” this time of year is also one of the simplest: indoor plants.

1) They make a space feel alive when everything outside looks dormant

Winter landscapes can be beautiful, but they’re often bare. Bringing greenery indoors adds that sense of life and movement back into your home. A leafy plant in the corner of a living room or a cluster of small pots on a kitchen sill instantly softens hard lines and makes a space feel more welcoming—especially in rooms that lean neutral or minimal.

2) Plants add color and texture without “decorating harder”

In winter, many people add throws, candles, and heavier textiles (which I love), but plants do something different: they introduce organic texture. Glossy leaves, matte leaves, tall grasses, trailing vines—these shapes create visual depth the way artwork does, but with a calmer, more natural vibe. If your room feels a little monochrome in winter, a plant is like adding color without committing to bold paint or new furniture.

3) They help rooms feel fresher during closed-window season

When homes are sealed up for warmth, spaces can feel stale faster. While plants aren’t a magic cure-all, they do contribute to a “fresh” feeling in a room—partly because greenery signals nature and cleanliness to our brains, and partly because you tend to care for the space more when living things are in it. In design, that matters: a room that feels fresh is a room you actually want to spend time in.

4) They support winter mood and routine

Winter can mess with energy and motivation. I recommend plants to clients not just as decor, but as a gentle routine-builder: watering, rotating toward the light, wiping leaves. These small acts create a sense of rhythm and care at home—exactly what many people crave in the darker months.

5) They’re the easiest “style upgrade” for nearly any room

A plant can do what a lot of accessories try (and fail) to do: balance scale. Tall plant beside a sofa? Instantly makes the seating area feel grounded. Trailing plant on a shelf? Softens the edges and adds movement. Even one medium-sized floor plant can make a room look more finished—like it was styled intentionally, not just furnished.

Designer tip: choose plants that look good and feel doable

Winter light can be limited, so pick plants that tolerate lower light if your windows don’t get much sun. Snake plants, pothos, ZZ plants, and many philodendrons are popular for a reason: they’re forgiving and still look elevated. And if you want the “designer look,” use a simple pot and add a basket or stand to bring it up to eye level.

In winter, we’re indoors more than ever. Indoor plants are one of the most practical design tools I know because they don’t just make a home prettier—they make it feel better to live in.

Snowed-In Wellness: Simple At-Home Practices That Actually Feel Good

When the world outside is buried in snow, your home can turn into a cozy little reset button. Instead of waiting out the storm in a fog of scrolling and snacking, try a few wellness practices that warm you up, calm your nervous system, and help the day feel intentional.

1) Create a “cozy morning” routine (10–20 minutes)

Start with something gentle: open one curtain, drink a full glass of water, and do a quick stretch while the coffee or tea brews. The goal isn’t productivity—it’s signaling to your body: we’re safe, we’re steady, we’re here.

2) Do a circulation boost (5–15 minutes)

Snowed-in days can turn into long sitting sessions. Pick one:

• A brisk walk up and down the stairs

• A short bodyweight circuit (squats, pushups, lunges, planks)

• A “dance break” to one favorite song
  You’ll warm up fast, lift your mood, and sleep better later.

3) Take a “hot + cold” reset

If you’re able, try:

• A warm shower or bath, then 30–60 seconds of cooler water at the end

• Or simply wash your face with cool water after a warm shower
  This is an easy way to feel refreshed without leaving the house.

4) Make one nourishing thing

Keep it simple and comforting:

• Soup, oatmeal, eggs and toast, a smoothie, or a big mug of broth
  Bonus points: eat it without a screen for the first few minutes—your brain will register it as a real break.

5) Quiet your mind with a micro-practice (3–8 minutes)

Choose one:

• Box breathing: inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4 (repeat)

• Brain dump journaling: write anything on your mind—no rules

• Guided meditation: short and beginner-friendly is perfect
  Small practices done consistently beat big plans you never start.

6) “Snowed-in spa” for recovery

Pick one upgrade:

• Moisturize + lip balm

• Gentle stretching with a towel/strap

• Foam rolling (or a tennis ball on tight spots)

• A face mask while you listen to music or a podcast
  It’s not fancy—it’s recovery.

7) End the day with a wind-down cue

Dim lights an hour before bed, make a non-caffeinated tea, and read a few pages of something easy. Even on a day that feels “unstructured,” a consistent ending helps your sleep quality a lot.