The cold isn’t just something you feel in the temperature of the air around you. It’s something must of us feel in our very being. It’s a seasonal darkness that descends on just about everyone (okay that even sounded a bit dark.)
That doesn’t mean we are powerless in how we deal with it. Your home can be the best tool for warming you inside and out, below are some of the décor touches you can be making to stay happy, warm and cozy.
Start a Fire
This is an obvious one but the simple fact is fire makes us feel better. It’s more than just a temperature controlling thing.
There’s an innate connection we have to a well-controlled fire (that perhaps goes back to when we first discovered it?) If you have a fireplace (and mantle) you’re not using, give it a good clean.
Look for the pellet stove parts that can help you rejuvenate it and get some use out of it. There’s nothing like sitting next to one with a cup of tea and a book, or glass of wine on an especially hard day.
Change your color scheme
In the Spring and Summer months, we tend to use lighter colors that make the most out of the light make the room look clean and vibrant.
But when there isn’t as much light to be shared, it can be a depressing façade more than anything.
When the days get darker, you should adjust your color accordingly. When you think of colors like maroon and burgundy, there’ is a welcoming sort of warmth in them.
So get out your brushes and get ready to do a little DIY while we still have some daylight hours to work with.
Add a Touch of Softness
Fire and color aren’t the only things that make us think of warmth. You also think of getting cozy and wrapped up in ultra-luxe blankets.
Now’s the time to start giving your whole home that feeling. If you had hardwood floors, then it may be time to start putting down some rugs.
Add an extra throw and a few pillows to your sofa and chairs as well. If you can, you may even feel like adding some curtain walls to your bed.
It’s all about layers. Without getting bulky and unwieldy, the more you have, the most easily achieved the aesthetic.
Rethink Your Space
Even the layout of your home should be ever-changing. When there’s a lot more light, you want to space things out to make the most of it.
You especially want to make sure there aren’t a lot of shadows draped across the room. When you want a warmer design, you tend to also want a cozy little corner all on your own.
To that end, you should move furniture away from the center of the room. Instead, focus on pushing it closer to the walls.
In your living room, you should go a little further and create a little nook for yourself. the perfect place for some rainy (or snowy) day reading.
Use all Your Senses
As previously mentioned, warmth is about more than temperature. It’s about feeling. It’s about relaxation and de-stressing.
Changing up the color and getting a fire going may not cut it. You want to hit all your senses; in particular think about your sense of smell. Aromatherapy is a super-effective way to change the whole feeling of a room.
Smell has a powerful connection to memories and bringing up emotion. Think about getting some scented candles or incense for your home.
Many people avoid using cleaning sprays with too harsh of a scent, opting for more natural, green alternatives instead.
Get the Warm & Fuzzies Inside Too
If you’re looking to appeal to emotion, then you shouldn’t be afraid to get personal. Giving your room a warm feeling means adding more than a touch of yourself to it as well.
The easiest way for a lot of people to do that is to add pictures of their family and favorite memories to the wall.
Putting your passions on display, whether by your favorite vinyls or hobby related paraphernalia, provides an authentic connection to the room.
Warmth as we see it, is about more than just temperature. It’s about feeling safe, comfortable and happy. Don’t underestimate the effect that working on your home can have on your mood.
After all we are more likely to be spending time in it as the months get colder and darker.
So light a fire, get some candles burning and cosy up in your sofa with a book. It’ll soon make these dark months some of your favorites through the whole year.
