November can be a polarizing month. Some people enjoy saying goodbye to summer and the warmer parts of fall for something a bit cozier. For others, November is a sign of impending doom; from the colder weather to the loss of daylight, November can send some packing their bags for anywhere that is farther south with more daylight!
However you feel about November, know that November colors do not have to be downtrodden. The right combination of colors can keep you warm in November and help facilitate a smooth transition into winter on an emotional and spiritual level.
There is always an opportunity to change our perspectives, and embracing the light when the weather gets colder/darker is a great way to put a positive spin on some of the year’s most challenging months.
I find there are a few different ways to think about and embrace November for what it is. It’s the last full month of fall, it’s the beginning of the holiday season, it’s the end of daylight saving time, and getting together for the holidays is on everyone’s mind.
As November progresses, those who fear/hate colder weather and shorter winter days feel like they’re being robbed of more pleasant conditions. But, it doesn’t need to feel that way.
A different way to look at the month is that all seasons of the year have their place, and November has some beautiful and fleeting colors and charms that are worth embracing while we can.
I’ve written about how colors of Thanksgiving do not always need to play to the same traditionalist color rules, and neither do the colors during November as a whole.
November is a great time to look at different spaces in your home and think, “how can I make this warmer, more inviting, and more interesting? How can I add some hygge to my home?!” There are many opportunities to find warmth and color inspiration as November settles in!
To ensure rooms and spaces in your home don’t become dreary and drab during late fall, it’s important to capture, embrace, and expand the energy that natural light creates. What do I mean by this? We must embrace the contrasts of lights and darks in late fall and winter. By using natural light to our advantage, homeowners can bring warmth and levity into spaces during the daylight hours and comfort and coziness during the darker hours.
For example, a dark and uninviting reading room can be given new life by swapping in warm neutral colors, like a warm grey for the base, and highlighting room spaces with more vibrant fall colors like reds, sunflower yellow, and harvest orange. The warm grey will gladly receive the daylight and cast it throughout the room, but it won’t be as stark or sterile as a plain white wall would be. The traditional fall colors contrasted against the lightness of the grey bring energy and life to the space. Lighter wood tones like white oak would also help the daylight extend its reach. Without forcing off-season colors, we’ve created a warm and yet still lively and exciting space to relax in on a November morning!
Just as we can stretch the natural sunlight during the day in November to create energy and warmth, we can also stretch candlelight, lamps, and fireplaces to create comfort, coziness, and embrace for the evenings.
So, how do we embrace November colors at night? By expounding upon the light sources that exist in the space! I’m not talking about turning up overhead lighting to full blast; UGH, that’s not comfortable for anyone!
Picture the same reading room with the warm grey walls and fiery fall accent colors, but now the room is adorned with candles that are in gold holders; the candlelight is dancing off the speckle gold glass and creating a mesmerizing show throughout the room. Edison bulbs are set to a soft glow above, and table lamps echo that glow as well. Your fireplace is ablaze and the mantle is decorated just enough with candles, both adding a beautiful glow to the room. The accent fall colors burst with excitement as the soft glow of light cascades upon them, and the warm grey base color helps the room stay illuminated without sacrificing the magic of the lighting. Now, this is a room I want to have a glass of wine and conversation in!
The point I’m trying to make is that by embracing contrasts of dark and light in November, and the colder months in general, we can create excitable or calming energy, depending on our needs. No one should feel lost in the dark and drab cold when there is so much opportunity for color to warm our spirits!
So, how do you feel about November and embracing the changes of the season? I’d love to hear how you energize or warm yourself up during the colder months of the year!
