Mastering the art of the live pitch: Storytelling techniques for success ahead of The Pitch 2024
Mastering the art of the live pitch: Storytelling techniques for success ahead of The Pitch...

Leonie Corcoran

The best of streaming, TV and cinema this month
The best of streaming, TV and cinema this month

Sarah Finnan

A transformation coach and business mentor on how to believe in yourself
A transformation coach and business mentor on how to believe in yourself

Niamh Ennis

The Lyst Index: The most wanted products of 2024 so far
The Lyst Index: The most wanted products of 2024 so far

Sarah Finnan

November Guide: 19 of the best events happening this month
November Guide: 19 of the best events happening this month

Sarah Gill

Budget 2025: The real impact on home-grown Irish businesses
Budget 2025: The real impact on home-grown Irish businesses

Sarah Kiely Lavelle

Julie Galbraith: ‘Say yes to everything, then learn how to say no’
Julie Galbraith: ‘Say yes to everything, then learn how to say no’

IMAGE

Celebrity death in the age of social media
Celebrity death in the age of social media

Jenny Claffey

An Oscars favourite and the Hugh Grant thriller everyone’s talking about – what to watch this week
An Oscars favourite and the Hugh Grant thriller everyone’s talking about – what to watch...

Sarah Finnan

The best book releases coming this November
The best book releases coming this November

Sarah Gill

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.