January can often be seen as a bit of a slog. We slow down after the hectic weeks of December, spend more time indoors, and that familiar winter heaviness can start to creep in.
“Blue Monday” is a term coined in 2005 to describe the ‘most depressing day of the year’ in January, largely considered pseudoscience (marketing tactics to get you to book a holiday), but now widely used as a reminder to talk about mental health and how we’re feeling in winter.
And this is exactly when art really earns its place in our homes. Because art doesn’t exist simply to decorate. It holds emotion. It carries emotion. It can energise, soothe, comfort, transport and reconnect us wit the parts of life that feel joyful, hopeful and alive, especially when the outside world is grey.
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Why Art Can Genuinely Lift Our Mood
We’re now seeing research to support what many of us have always felt to be true.
A recent study co-funded by Art Fund and conducted by King’s College London found that viewing original artworks in a gallery setting didn’t just feel pleasant; it had a measurable physical effect on the body. Participants experienced a notable drop in cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone) and reductions in inflammatory markers associated with stress and long-term health conditions. Researchers described art as activating the immune, hormonal and nervous systems in ways that both calm and positively stimulate the body. You can read more about the study here.
In other words, art isn’t just something lovely to look at, it’s something your body actually responds to.
You don’t have to stand in a gallery to experience this. The art you live with every day, the piece you glance at while making your morning coffee, the small painting on a shelf, the landscape opposite the sofa, all influences how a room feels, and in turn, how you feel in it.
The Types of Art That Tend to Feel Good in January
Everyone responds differently to art, and that’s part of its magic. But we often see people gravitate toward certain types of paintings in winter, pieces that bring warmth, softness or a sense of escapism.
Warm, joyful colour
Sun-washed yellows, soft pinks, gentle terracottas, hazy gold light… colour has an emotional presence. Warm tones can lift, energise and make a room feel instantly more welcoming.
Nature, florals and greenery
Flower paintings feel particularly comforting in January as spring blooms start lurking outside. They gently bridge the gap between winter and the promise of spring. Natural scenes, woodland paths and fields can feel grounding and nurturing too.
Escapism
Coastal scenes, European streets, places filled with memory and sunshine, anything that reminds us of warmth, travel and adventure.
Comfort and familiarity
Still life's and interiors scenes offer something reassuring, familiar, lived-in.
You don’t have to overthink it. Notice what makes you feel calm. What you feel before you even analyse why.
Where to Place “Mood-Boosting” Art in Your Home
This isn’t only about what you hang, it’s also about where.
Think about the moments of your day, and where your eyes naturally go.
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Where you start the morning
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Where you pause
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Where you sit after a long day
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The view you see most often
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Hallways, kitchens, small corners, spaces you pass through all day, these can be some of the best spots for a piece that quietly lifts mood and softens the day.
If you’re working from home, art near your workspace can completely shift how the space feels (we're talking more about that here in our article about art in our working from home environment).
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www.michael-sinclair.com / @michaelsinclair
And remember: uplifting art doesn’t need to be big.
A beautifully chosen small painting can completely transform the atmosphere of a room.
Choosing Art with Emotion
There’s no right or wrong approach here. You don’t need to analyse brushwork or know the artist’s full story. You don’t have to justify it. Art doesn’t have to be serious to be meaningful. It simply has to feel right to you.
If it reminds you of a happy place or time…If you feel calm when you look at it… That’s enough.
January is often about discipline: health resets, routines, resolutions, productivity. Choosing art feels like the opposite of that. It’s something gentler, fun, and joyful.
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A Warmer Kind of January
If you’re in a “refresh the house” mindset this month, it might not be about changing everything. It might simply be about swapping pieces around or choosing something new and meaningful to live with, something that brings warmth to your walls and to you.
If you’re looking for something joyful, calming, nostalgic or quietly beautiful, our current collection is filled with pieces that are ready to bring life back into rooms this winter. And if you’re unsure, you can always send a message, we love helping people find the piece that feels right.
