8 Useful Tips to Create a Cozy Home for Winter

Nov 7

Whether you live in a sprawling mansion or a tiny studio apartment, your home needs to feel inviting and cozy when staying indoors due to frigid weather. When thinking about winter décor, know that its all about incorporating textures and rich layers along with colours that reflect the time of year. You can either go shopping for winter essentials or work with what you have. These eight design tricks will help you cozy up your home in style during the coldest months.

Create a Warm and Cozy Home for Winter

Here are a few tips to make your home cozier this winter.

  1. Refurbish Your Bedding

Although linen and crisp cotton are ideal for summer, choose velvet flannel or cotton flannel in winter. Exchange your satin sheets for a material that will hold warmth, such as jersey, and ensure you have winter-appropriate bedding like down-filled comforters and a basket filled with extra blankets. You may want to purchase a heated mattress pad and heated blankets to keep yourself toasty through the night.

  1. Add Warmth with Lighting

Lighting is one of the best and easiest ways to create a cozy atmosphere. If adding extra lights isn’t an option due to budget, replace cold bulbs with warm ones to make your home feel snug. Complement them with string lights to achieve a bohemian charm. If you think fairy lights too whimsical, go for a string of globe lights instead. Smart lighting is another great option to experiment with as you can generally manage the colour of each light to whatever your mood dictates.

Warm bedroom lighting

  1. Add Nature

If you don’t already have plants in your home, add some. Any living element can contribute to the comfortable sensation you are seeking. If you travel often, ask a trusted friend or neighbour to water them while you’re out. Plants that do well indoors and don’t need to be watered too often are cacti, aloe vera, zamioculcas (or ZZ) and snake plants. Place them in planters, baskets or pots for a textural pop and to add interest to any room. Choose planters and pots in warm tones and baskets made out of natural materials such as seagrass to ensure they blend with the rest of your winter décor.

Fresh flowers are an alternative if plants aren’t your thing. They add a beautiful touch, and although they may seem like a splurge, can last quite a while before drying out. However, you need to be diligent about trimming their stems and changing their water.

  1. Hang Heavy Window Treatments

If you used shades or sheer curtains in summer for their airy and open feel, consider switching to heavier treatments in winter. Thick drapes with a thermal lining will make the space look and feel warmer and insulate by blocking cold drafts that could penetrate windows. You may also layer different window treatments such as shades with drapes. These can keep out the cold and when installed properly reduce outside noise as well as prevent interior echoes.

  1. Light Candles

One of the best ways to add instant warmth is by lighting candles. You can place battery operated ones on a shelf or put them in jars to add a glimmer to an otherwise dark and gloomy evening. Scented candles can transform the mood of any space through their fragrance. Mint and pine are perfect for winter, although you can also use clove, pumpkin spice or cinnamon in fall.

Light candle décor

  1. Move the Furniture Around

A popular way to add warmth and coziness is by switching up your existing furniture arrangement. Move the couch closer to the fireplace (if you have one) and add extra seating so your family can enjoy the fire together. Do not squish oversized pieces of furniture together as this makes it difficult to move around the area freely. If your home doesn’t have a fireplace, shift the furniture towards the centre of the room. The idea is to create a more intimate setting by moving the seating area away from walls which can be colder due to weather.

  1. Use Books to Decorate

Books are one of the most affordable ways to decorate a home and make it snug. They can be purchased in bulk or individually without breaking the bank to give your space a library-like feel. Attend garage sales around your area or visit local schools as they often have book sales around the holidays. You can often find old books for as little as a dollar.

  1. Reverse the Ceiling Fan

It is best to reverse the direction of all ceiling fans in your home in winter. This helps the blades push warm down air which reduces your heating bill. This is especially important if you live in a house with high ceilings.  To find out if your fans are working properly, ensure that they are rotating in a clockwise direction.

If you dislike the cold, you’re not alone. As temperatures drop, you can incorporate these tried and tested décor tips to make your home warmer without spending a lot of money.