While my mind can barely wrap itself around the fact that May has just arrived, I’m struggling even more with the onset of winter. Our extended summer family holiday is firmly behind us, and this long weekend in Cape Town was a taste of what to expect this winter.
With the changing season upon it’s a good time to start turning our attention indoors, as we ready our homes for the cooler weather. What does it really mean to get your home ready for the winter season? It’s not like we are going to renovate our homes or buy all new furniture with the change of every season, so what can we really do to mix things up and make our homes feel warmer and more inviting – without spending a small fortune?!
While we strongly advocate that your home stays true to itself in all seasons, these tried and tested tips are some of our favourite ways to make your home cosy and inviting as the darker, colder days of winter approach.
LIGHTING IS KEY
Image via The Grit and Polish
Lighting is essential in creating a welcoming ambiance in your home, but even more so during the darker winter months. Most homes have some form of overhead lighting to all main areas, all of which have the potential to be harsh and overly bright. Not what we need on a gloomy winter afternoon (and btw Eskom we don’t want to be sitting in the dark either!).
We are after a cosy ambiant lighting to offer a soft glow in the room, or to bring extra light to a darker corner. Whether you go with a wall light or floor lamps, think carefully about where your light should be positioned for ultimate functionality. Even if you are reading on your phone or something like a kindle, you don’t want your space to be too dark.
Dimmer switches are a great idea, enabling you to transition between ambient lighting and task lighting. If you don’t have dimmable lighting installed in your home, it is worth upgrading your switches and bulbs to dimmable options. Don’t forget to ask for a warm or natural globe, rather than a start or cool globe.
Since lighting can be considered an art form in itself, this winter choose pieces that make a statement and go bold in your home.
CANDLES
Image via Pinterest
And while we are talking about lighting, let’s not forget about a winter staple – candles! Candles really do shine during the winter months. They create a beautiful and romantic ambiance when lit, and there are some incredible products on the market which also double as styling decor. Gone are the days when candles only came in a jar or a bowl. Over the last few years are candle styles with curves, organic shapes, ribbing and unique vessel designs.
CHANGE UP YOUR TEXTILES
Image via The Grit and Polish
There is a reason that year after year we read about switching up our textiles with the change season. Materials like rattan and sisal are often linked to a summer coastal look, but when contrasted alongside wintery finishes such as thick cable knit, faux fur and leather, they create a gorgeous textural interplay that adds a winter moody ambiance to your space.
And whether we like it or not, during the winter months we do spend a lot more time indoors, and on our sofas or beds, to its only natural that we want to cocoon and surround ourselves with soft blankets and pillows while we lounge on comfy sofas and chairs.
Introducing texture is another surefire way to warm up your space this winter. Boucle and shearling fabrics continue to be an extremely popular upholstery choice for being able to switch from summer to winter.
If you have a stockpile of winter blankets, throws and cushion covers, now is your time to swap them out and up the cosy factor.
WARM UP THE BEDROOM
Image via Studio McGee
Changing up your textiles applies to your bedroom too, and a truly comfortable nights sleep starts with the right set of sheets. The material next to your body should breathe, especially when snuggled under a winter weight duvet and / or blanket. Cotton is the default sheet material because it breathes well and wicks away moisture. Research says a 400 thread count or less is best, as anything more traps body heat and could cause you to sleep too hot. Cotton fleece sheets are a great winter option, as they give you the fuzzy warm thick fleece feel without trapping excess humidity and sweat.
The key to a cosy winter bed is layering. First you’ll need to check your duvet tog rating (it’s the unit that tells you how well an item insulates). When it comes to winter duvets you’ll probably want a look for a higher tog rating (10 or above) to help keep you warm through the night.
If you don’t want to swap your duvet inner seasonally, you’ll probably need extra layers in the winter. There is something about a winter blanket or quilt that adds some weight to your bed, that make it oh so cosy. This is also a great option for those that tend to go to bed cold, only to find themselves waking up hot and sweaty in the middle of the night. Don’t forget to mix up the textures for extra style points.
RUG IT UP
Image via SitchU
While your might not want anything underfoot during the hot summer months, adding a plush rug to your living room, bedroom or even home office will look and feel oh so warm and cosy driving winter. There is nothing more chilling than ice cold feet, and nothing more stark than bare tiles or floors during the winter months. Even if you have carpet in your rooms, add a plush top layer will really up with winter ambiance in your room, with that soft and warm feeling.
BRING THE OUTSIDE IN
Image via Rue Mag
If you haven’t already, please bring some plants into your home – even if you are looking right out into a garden. Not only do plants look amazing, they bring life to any space and have such a calming effect.
If you feel you’ve already gone to town with the number of plants in your home, spend a little time on the weekend rearranging them in your home or put them in a new planter. On the same note, bring some flowers into the mix. Flowers are always a joy to behold. Whether it’s a single stem, simple greenery or oversized branches from your garden, it doesn’t need to be an expensive endeavour.
MIX IT UP
Image via Studio McGee
The power of re-arranging the pieces you already own is a close second to the power of paint. Simply shifting the positions of items totally changes your view and gives you an updated perspective on your home. While summer may be all about group entertaining, winter could be the time to create yourself a relaxing reading corner, or to pull your armchairs closer to the fire – or both! In both cases you’ll need some ambient lighting, a strategically
In my own home I am constantly moving things around. This can be as basic as changing where things are stored in my kitchen – which I would like to say is extremely cathartic and really makes you feel like your kitchen has been given a design overhaul. With the change of seasons I systematically work my way through the house, rearranging furniture, rooms, toys, clothings and updating textiles along the way. Just yesterday I moved the rug from the office into the adjoining living area and it feels like a new space!
WINTER IS ALL ABOUT WFH
Image via Nordic Design
None of us like to sit in traffic at the best of times, and the commute in the dark, cold and rain is dismal and can become dangerous. WFH is here to stay, and something we are more likely to embrace during the winter months as we find it more difficult to leave the comfort of our homes, so it is crucial that you carve out a designated space in your home to serve as your home office.
Lean towards a simple space with minimal (decor) distraction, including a desk big enough to spread out on, a very comfortable chair and adequate lighting. Even if your WFH space in located in a busy part of the house, having that designated space puts you into work mode when you take a seat.