Invierno Makeover: El Dormitorio

With winter upon us -- plus loads of winter sales -- now is el momento to whip your house into an invierno haven!

Luxe Linens
January has traditionally been a great time for "White Sales," when department stores slash prices on bedding, linens and towels. This is a great time to buy luxury items on the cheap, such as high-thread-count sheets and luxury towels with soft long-thread cotton.

Mattress Maintenance
Give new life to your mattress and help distribute the wear evenly by flipping it four times a year. Also, vacuum mattresses and box springs with the upholstery attachment every three months (each time you flip it).

Color Your Home Happy!
Add some color to revive and revitalize your home. Lift up the vibe in your bedroom with a splash of color on your walls. Or add pops of primary colors to your living room to offset the dreary days of winter.

You can also use paint to fix problem areas: Warm up a loft or big room by painting it in colors that envelop you, such as red, brown and gold. Make any room appear larger by painting it in hues that recede. (This works with natural panoramic colors such as blue, green and violet -- think of an infinity pool or a far-reaching landscape.) You can also make a ceiling appear higher by painting it a lighter color, like sky blue. A ceiling painted bright white reflects natural light better, making the room seem brighter. Likewise, you could lower a ceiling with a darker shade, such as chestnut.

If the weather in your area is not conducive to opening windows and doors, consider buying low-VOC (low-volatile organic compounds) paints, which don't produce the noxious fumes traditional paints do.

To combat Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), replace commonly used light bulbs in your home with brighter full-spectrum (also known as broad spectrum) light bulbs. While more expensive than regular bulbs, they provide light that is similar to natural sunlight.