Create a Warm and Inviting Home this Winter...

Even though the sparkle and magic of December has come to an end, January (and what feels like its 100 days!) is a time to ensure your home remains cosy and cocooning as we try to embrace the gloomy, cold days still to come. I get an innate urge to hunker down and turn my home into a warm, comfy and welcoming haven that I feel completely relaxed in. For me, Winter is the cosiest season and a time to add the layers to your home and escape the cold outside after a long day. Adopting a ‘hygge’ approach in our homes continues to be a popular interior design choice where simple slow living and adding cosy elements into our homes are key to the Scandinavian notion, one I can truly get on board with!

Fundamental to creating a winter retreat is adding texture. For me, adding layers of texture to any design adds depth and interest. Nature has given us an abundance of textural elements that can be incorporated within our homes and through using biophilic design (a love of nature and creating calm spaces that connects us with nature) we can increase productivity and our overall wellbeing within our interior spaces  Using natural and sustainable materials such as timber, stone and rattan, can draw in the textures that we see in nature, providing us with us sense of calm and tranquillity - do not be afraid to use items with imperfections as these add another layer to the room.

Use dynamic textiles with differing tones, patterns and textures to add warmth and cosiness. Create a treat for the senses by adding fabrics such as boucle, velvet, natural linen and use fluffy sheepskins draped on a chair or under foot. Layer your bed or sofa with an abundance of tactile throws and cushions in contrasting fabrics and patterns adding comfort and interest – you can never have too many in my opinion! Little touches of raw materials and simple details like greenery or dried flowers can enhance the warmth of your space - not only do they add colour and texture, but they marry well with the biophilic design notion by boosting our mood, something that on long, grey days we sometimes need.

Don’t shy away from using bolder colours during the winter months. Embrace more striking colours either in furniture choices (a brightly coloured sofa or headboard would work well) or adding subtle pops in accessories and soft furnishings – it is remarkable what a vivid coloured throw can do to make your bed sing! It can often be said that using the colour blue during winter can make a room feel cold, however, combine with warm timber tones and textural fabrics to create depth, contrast and a calming effect. If a more muted earthy colour palette is for you, then incorporating browns, rusts and charcoal into your design scheme creates a very warming and comforting environment.

Layering lighting is another key aspect to creating a cosy ambience. Not everyone has a fireplace to light of a cold evening but if you are lucky to have one, this creates immediate warmth and glow into your space. Ensure you have enough lighting such as table and floor lamps in different areas of your room that create pockets of warm light and my go to, candles. Candles have calming properties that help alleviate stress and anxiety by making you feel calmer and more relaxed. They are beautiful too!

Don’t forget to go outside if you can, with the right styling your outdoor space can be transformed into an extra cosy haven. The key to creating a winter-friendly outdoor space is layering - use cushions and throws to create a cosy vibe and soften up your outdoor furniture. Add a firepit, some fairy lights, marshmallows and hot chocolate and you have a magical winters evening ahead!