The best events happening around Ireland this weekend
The best events happening around Ireland this weekend

Sarah Gill

In Her Shoes: Silvana Landa McAdam of LANDA
In Her Shoes: Silvana Landa McAdam of LANDA

IMAGE

Conductor Orla Flanagan: ‘This concert explores human existence in different spheres’
Conductor Orla Flanagan: ‘This concert explores human existence in different spheres’

Sarah Gill

This 1970s Galway semi-d has been refreshed and revived
This 1970s Galway semi-d has been refreshed and revived

Nathalie Marquez Courtney

Material Intelligence: Meet the emerging designers from Ireland’s leading fashion colleges
Material Intelligence: Meet the emerging designers from Ireland’s leading fashion colleges

Ruth O'Connor

Faye O’Rourke of Soda Blonde: ‘I think being open about your failings creates more interesting art’
Faye O’Rourke of Soda Blonde: ‘I think being open about your failings creates more interesting...

Sarah Gill

A red carpet first-timer brings us behind the scenes at Cannes Film Festival
A red carpet first-timer brings us behind the scenes at Cannes Film Festival

Kara O'Sullivan

Garden designer Peter Dowdall on the best places to find unique pieces for your garden
Garden designer Peter Dowdall on the best places to find unique pieces for your garden

Megan Burns

Key trends and challenges shaping the job market in 2025
Key trends and challenges shaping the job market in 2025

Leonie Corcoran

Inside this five-bedroom Edwardian Terenure home
Inside this five-bedroom Edwardian Terenure home

IMAGE

Image / Living / Interiors

Mood-boosting interiors buys for under €20 to get you through dreary February


By Megan Burns
12th Feb 2021
Mood-boosting interiors buys for under €20 to get you through dreary February

House of McCarthy

Give your home (and your mood) a little lift with these accessories that are bound to put a smile on your face.

I would make the case that February is the worst month of the year, even during normal times. Yes, January is also dark and cold, but at least you’ve probably got some leftover Christmas chocolate lying around.

Throw in a pandemic and there’s not a whole lot to get excited about at the moment. There’s something to be said, however, for the power of changing up your environment a little when everything feels dreary. 

Whether that’s a new cushion to snuggle up with in the evenings, a cheery mug for your WFH coffee breaks, or a print that makes you smile, a mood-boosting addition doesn’t have to be a huge splurge, either. Here are some ideas under €20.

mood boosting interiors buys
BACSAC

Nature-inspired

For many of us, getting out for a walk is a daily highlight, and it’s been proven that being in nature calms and restores us. You can bring a touch of this feeling into your home with a green houseplant, by popping some dried flowers in a vase to add permanent prettiness, or lighting a candle to add a meadow-fresh scent.

Colour rush 

Habitat

If you want to brighten up your home, adding a hit of colour is a guaranteed way to do so. Yellows and oranges in particular have been proven to boost our mood. Try and go for an item that will be on display, or one that you’ll use daily to really get the benefit of your bold buy.

Touch of fun

April and the Bear

Whether it’s photos of friends, a playful print or an object with a touch of whimsy, all the best homes have little flashes of personality here and there that really make them come alive. Anything that you know will boost your mood when you see it will fit the bill.