10 Tips on how to create a cosy home ready for winter There’s a chill in the air and it’s time to hibernate. Our homes really need to be snug sanctuaries at this time of year, so we can retreat, relax and escape the cold. So, shake up your style this winter, splurge on a few treats and get your home ready for winter by banishing the winter blues and creating a warm and cosy haven where you can relax in comfort. If you need some inspiration on how to how to make your home look cosy, see our 10 tips below. 1. Go pale but interesting https://www.instagram.com/p/B3aMyInJHQD/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Chilled out Scandi-style, with its neutral palette, endures because its classic good looks never date and it’s easy to add subtle new touches to suit a new season. The addition of a sheepskin rug (pampering for the toes), a throw, and plenty of cushions covered in tactile fabrics like velvet or wool, are all that’s needed to create a cosseting winter sanctuary. 2. Harvest some style (L-R) Super Soft Merino Throw, Lime White, £132, Tolly McRae; ICON Siberia Faux Fur Bean Bag, Snow Leopard, £99.99, Bean Bag Bazaar; Joan Baa Sheepskin Dressing Table Stool, Brown, £265, Limelace (Tolly McRae/Bean Bag Bazaar/Limelace/PA) Treat yourself (and a room) to accessories that are all about chic comfort, which you can move around to suit your mood and the temperature. Think furry pouffes and fluffy beanbags. 3. Be cost-conscious and cosy Chunky wool throws, a string of lights and a selection of lanterns conjure a look that says ‘stay in and snuggle’ (iStock/PA) It’s all about setting the scene with a cosy focal point at this time of year. If you’re lucky enough to own a fireplace, this is the perfect time to take advantage of it and enjoy that beautiful wood smoke smell and orange glow – it’s pure autumn joy. An empty hearth can be made just as appealing with a little imagination. Simply decorate with a cluster of pine cones and add a collection of candles for flickering light. 4. Bag a high-street hero Supermarket homeware ranges are such a high standard now (and trend led) that you’re missing a decor trick if you don’t check them out. A trolley full of purse-friendly bargains can refresh a room without breaking the bank. (L-R) Morrisons Woodland Fox Lamp, £17; Morrisons Orange Knitted Cushion, £12; Morrisons Ochre Country Checked Throw, £18 (Morrisons/PA) 5. Add some va-va-velvet Velvets are one of the biggest ongoing trends in interiors. Pair their touch-me textures with a rich colour – orange and green are this season’s front runners – for a winning winter combination. https://www.instagram.com/p/B2mA-ZZgFd5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link 6. Raid nature’s colour palette Embrace the warmth of the autumn colours as an antidote to the creeping chill in the air. Rich reds and russets star on the hedgerows and trees, and adding those hues in accessories will have the same effect in a room. (L-R) Casper Charcoal & Orange Geometric Shaggy Pile Cushion, currently reduced to £35 from £70; Lantana Orange Curvy Lamp With Black Drum Silk Shade, £115; Paloma Orange Knitted Cotton Throw, £45, Habitat (Habitat/PA) 7. Change the view A plain window comes to life with Palanga window film, from £11.50 for a 25x50cm rectangle, Purlfrost (Purlfrost/PA) There’s nothing like a bleak, boring view to lower the spirits, especially in winter, but window film or blinds can work wonders on that outlook. Both can make a feature out of an otherwise dull window and ensure you feel boosted, even on dark days. 8. Lighten the mood Squeekingly good style – Gold Mouse Lamps, Standing, Lying & Sitting, £73 each, Graham & Green (Graham & Green/PA) Lighting is key in the dark, winter months, and table lamps illuminating focal points and areas in a room will make it look interesting and inviting. Show off your playful side and introduce quirky lights, which will make you smile and turn a neglected surface into a feature. 9. Tell a texture story Blenheim Upholstered Bed Frame, £399-£439; Monroe Crystal Fitting Chrome Light, £219; Dorma Acanthus Jacquard Duvet Cover, £70-£100 & Bedspread, £150-£170; Dorma Ophelia Ginger Bedspread, £100-£120 & Continental Square Pillowcase, £20; Dorma Arabesque Cushion, £30, Dunelm (Dunelm/PA) You don’t have to abandon glamour in the bedroom when the temperature drops – instead, layer with soft fabrics, from fluffy sheepskin cushions to silky throws. They won’t just be a visual treat, and are essential in a muted scheme, decorated in neutrals that could otherwise look bland. They’ll also add a sexy, sensual cosiness. 10. Add some fur-fabulous accessories (L-R) George Home Pink Faux Fur Throw, £16; New Zealand Sheepskin Beanbag Chair, Rosa, £895, Sweetpea & Willow; George Home Pink Faux Fur Cushion, £7 (George Home/Sweetpea & Willow/PA) Go wild with faux fur, but keep it feminine with a blushing pink theme. It looks fabulous on moody black or blue bed linen, or go for a full-on ice-maiden effect with a snowy white set. Next article
Sherborne homeowners enjoy stability and social aspect of Platinum Skies over-55s village 5th April, 2024