With the weather turning even colder, this seems like a perfect time for this post. Although we keep being told that spring is just around the corner I am not totally convinced.
I am very much a home comforts kind of girl. It is very important to me when coming in the door in the evenings that I am greeted by a warm and cosy space in winter.
My home is very neutral; you would possibly call it a 'blank canvas'. This is on purpose. I have simple off white walls, grey and cream flooring and no garish bright colours or statement walls. This doesn't work for everyone, but for me it is perfect. Don't get me wrong, I am by no means a minimalist. Quite the opposite in fact. The thing is, I like to change my home with the seasons. Not big chances, just a few simple changes that make my home warm and cosy in the winter and light and fresh in the summer. The easiest way to do this is by keeping the bones of the house simple and light, and adding accessories to suit the season.
Remember, It is much easier to warm up a light, fresh room in winter than it is to lighten up a dark room in summer.
Have you ever walked into a room and felt cold? Then realised that you are not actually cold, it is just the room that is making you think you feel cold? You can equally use your decor to fool you into thinking that you are warm and cosy.
I am not suggesting you get the paint pots out and starting painting walls! Far from it. But it is rather naive for us to think that a room will look just as good in summer as it would in winter if we don't make any chances to it at all. You wouldn't for example wear a floaty pale coloured dress and flip-flops in the winter would you? Of course not! So why do we not always follow this through to our decor? Not big changes just small subtle ones.
A living room with a couple of linen cushions on the sofa and bare floors looks beautifully fresh and simple in summer, but bare and cold in the winter. You need to add the home equivalent of a jumper, scarfs and gloves for the cooler months!
The most obvious way to warm a room up is to add layers and textures. Beautiful wool throws layered on plain sofas give the impression of snuggling down in the evening.
Fold them on the arms and back of chairs...
I am very much a home comforts kind of girl. It is very important to me when coming in the door in the evenings that I am greeted by a warm and cosy space in winter.
My home is very neutral; you would possibly call it a 'blank canvas'. This is on purpose. I have simple off white walls, grey and cream flooring and no garish bright colours or statement walls. This doesn't work for everyone, but for me it is perfect. Don't get me wrong, I am by no means a minimalist. Quite the opposite in fact. The thing is, I like to change my home with the seasons. Not big chances, just a few simple changes that make my home warm and cosy in the winter and light and fresh in the summer. The easiest way to do this is by keeping the bones of the house simple and light, and adding accessories to suit the season.
Remember, It is much easier to warm up a light, fresh room in winter than it is to lighten up a dark room in summer.
Have you ever walked into a room and felt cold? Then realised that you are not actually cold, it is just the room that is making you think you feel cold? You can equally use your decor to fool you into thinking that you are warm and cosy.
I am not suggesting you get the paint pots out and starting painting walls! Far from it. But it is rather naive for us to think that a room will look just as good in summer as it would in winter if we don't make any chances to it at all. You wouldn't for example wear a floaty pale coloured dress and flip-flops in the winter would you? Of course not! So why do we not always follow this through to our decor? Not big changes just small subtle ones.
A living room with a couple of linen cushions on the sofa and bare floors looks beautifully fresh and simple in summer, but bare and cold in the winter. You need to add the home equivalent of a jumper, scarfs and gloves for the cooler months!
The most obvious way to warm a room up is to add layers and textures. Beautiful wool throws layered on plain sofas give the impression of snuggling down in the evening.
Fold them on the arms and back of chairs...
Layer over the base of a sofa to add a splash of colour...
Sofas and chairs need to call you over to sink into them. Soften hard-backed furniture with a blanket and cushion.
Add some cushions in velvet or wool to your existing ones - think texture and fabric that asked to be touched. Avoid silk, polyester and anything that looks shiny and feels cold.
The most obvious way to add warmth is by adding warmer colours such as reds purples etc. This doesn't have to be the case though - I have seen many cosy warm and inviting rooms that use a light and simple palate. The key to making it work is ensuring you have texture and layers.
The most obvious way to add warmth is by adding warmer colours such as reds purples etc. This doesn't have to be the case though - I have seen many cosy warm and inviting rooms that use a light and simple palate. The key to making it work is ensuring you have texture and layers.
If adding in colour go for warmer shades - soft pinks, taupe, reds etc and avoid cooler shades such as pale blues and greens. Grey is so popular at the moment and I am a personal lover of this perfect neutral. It can however look a little cool in winter if left to its own devices - add creams, pinks and other warmer shades to it however and it will see you throughout the year. These can easily be removed again in spring.
I often change my cushions from summer to winter. In winter I feel the need for "more". In summer, I strip things back and have a lighter, simpler look.
I often change my cushions from summer to winter. In winter I feel the need for "more". In summer, I strip things back and have a lighter, simpler look.
Wood adds instant warmth. Baskets filled with excess throws makes for a beautiful display. If you have an open fire why not add a basket of logs or a kindling bucket next to the fire?
Furniture should be laid out in an informal and inviting manor, not angular and formal. Pull a chair or table at an angel to make things look more casual and less doctor’s waiting room.
Draw attention to the fireplace if you are lucky enough to have one. Pull furniture in slightly from the edges of the room to make it feel cosier and more intimate. Why not pull a couple of chairs up near the fire to make this the centre of attention? Add ornaments and decorations to the mantelpiece to make the eye look at this part of the room.
If you have wood or tile flooring try adding a rug to add softness under foot. This can be rolled up and stored under a sofa or beds in the summer if you like.
Draw attention to the fireplace if you are lucky enough to have one. Pull furniture in slightly from the edges of the room to make it feel cosier and more intimate. Why not pull a couple of chairs up near the fire to make this the centre of attention? Add ornaments and decorations to the mantelpiece to make the eye look at this part of the room.
If you have wood or tile flooring try adding a rug to add softness under foot. This can be rolled up and stored under a sofa or beds in the summer if you like.
Lighting is quite often something we give far too little thought to but it is oh so important, especially in cooler months, for creating the right atmosphere. Keep lighting soft and inviting - pearl bulbs over clear ones in a slightly lower watt with help with this. In the evening avoid overhead harsh lighting but instead add table lamps and floor lamps for a warm glow.
Candlelight is also perfect for adding that gentle flicker of light in the evening.
It is amazing how a few subtle changes can soon have your home feeling warm, inviting and cosy even if it is blowing a gale outside.
Images via here
Candlelight is also perfect for adding that gentle flicker of light in the evening.
It is amazing how a few subtle changes can soon have your home feeling warm, inviting and cosy even if it is blowing a gale outside.
Images via here