Decorating
Styling: Cosy Updates to Celebrate Winter in Style
Transition into autumn and winter by making your home a restful retreat from the elements
As the season of cosy evenings begins and the clocks go back, it’s a good time to refocus your attention on the home, creating a space in which you’ll be happy to spend time over the winter. Practical measures – hanging heavy, interlined curtains and fitting a chimney balloon to block draughts – will help to keep you comfortable. But after completing these necessary tasks, ponder the simple and creative steps you can take to tweak your interiors to suit the season. These tips should give you a starting point from which to shape your winter style.
Be bold with brass
Warm-toned metals are having a moment, and what better way to add a little sparkle to your kitchen this autumn? For a subtle effect, choose brushed finishes on hardware and taps. Or go for gold, selecting shiny brass handles combined with metallic metro tiles.
Warm-toned metals are having a moment, and what better way to add a little sparkle to your kitchen this autumn? For a subtle effect, choose brushed finishes on hardware and taps. Or go for gold, selecting shiny brass handles combined with metallic metro tiles.
Create pleasing vignettes
Spring clean? Try an autumn refresh instead. Clear clutter in favour of putting together purposeful displays of your favourite books, artworks and accessories to create vignettes. Group pieces in odd rather than even numbers and stick to a similar colour palette in order to tie your collections together visually.
Spring clean? Try an autumn refresh instead. Clear clutter in favour of putting together purposeful displays of your favourite books, artworks and accessories to create vignettes. Group pieces in odd rather than even numbers and stick to a similar colour palette in order to tie your collections together visually.
Embrace the dark
Although it might seem counterintuitive to turn to dark colours when days are short, paints heavy in pigment help to create ambience. If totally redecorating is too much of a commitment, dip a toe in the dark water with a feature wall. Choose a high-contrast shade and then incorporate elements of your feature colour elsewhere in the room through accessories to tie the look together.
Although it might seem counterintuitive to turn to dark colours when days are short, paints heavy in pigment help to create ambience. If totally redecorating is too much of a commitment, dip a toe in the dark water with a feature wall. Choose a high-contrast shade and then incorporate elements of your feature colour elsewhere in the room through accessories to tie the look together.
Turn to timber
In winter pale colours can seem a little chilly. So if you have a white scheme, introducing wooden furniture can help to add life to a room, as well as much-needed warmth.
It’s a myth that all timber pieces need to match, but for low-key, laid-back cool, as in this bedroom, furniture with a soft wax or varnish finish will work better than heavily lacquered pieces.
In winter pale colours can seem a little chilly. So if you have a white scheme, introducing wooden furniture can help to add life to a room, as well as much-needed warmth.
It’s a myth that all timber pieces need to match, but for low-key, laid-back cool, as in this bedroom, furniture with a soft wax or varnish finish will work better than heavily lacquered pieces.
Soften the mood with flickering candlelight
Candles aren’t just for dark evenings. Create a relaxed mood when you’re at home in the daytime by lighting a few simple white wicks. A glass lantern makes a chic display even when candles are unlit, plus flames will be kept at a safe distance from little hands and wagging tails.
Candles aren’t just for dark evenings. Create a relaxed mood when you’re at home in the daytime by lighting a few simple white wicks. A glass lantern makes a chic display even when candles are unlit, plus flames will be kept at a safe distance from little hands and wagging tails.
Cosy up your bedroom
Make a sleepy sanctuary over the winter by dressing your bed in sumptuous linens. For designer style, draw your duvet all the way up to the top of the mattress, then place pillows and cushions on top of it. Add a cosy throw at the foot of the bed for extra plush points (and to cover the end of the duvet if it looks a bit short).
Make a sleepy sanctuary over the winter by dressing your bed in sumptuous linens. For designer style, draw your duvet all the way up to the top of the mattress, then place pillows and cushions on top of it. Add a cosy throw at the foot of the bed for extra plush points (and to cover the end of the duvet if it looks a bit short).
Reboot with rich berry shades
Choose deep berry tones for a luxe living room that will see you through the cold weather. Rich jewel colours, such as aubergine, burgundy, jade, chartreuse and navy, help to lend extra depth to your scheme, as well as working well in low light. By mixing textures and finishes – smooth with rough, shiny with matt – you’ll be left with a truly touchable space.
Choose deep berry tones for a luxe living room that will see you through the cold weather. Rich jewel colours, such as aubergine, burgundy, jade, chartreuse and navy, help to lend extra depth to your scheme, as well as working well in low light. By mixing textures and finishes – smooth with rough, shiny with matt – you’ll be left with a truly touchable space.
Prepare for blissful bathing
Long, chilly evenings lend themselves to time spent relaxing in a hot bath. Take a few hours to freshen up your wash space with a thorough clean, new tiles or simply by replacing a worn-out shower curtain.
For extra style points, borrow a tip from interior designers and layer your best towels on the side of the bath to add a touch of luxury.
Long, chilly evenings lend themselves to time spent relaxing in a hot bath. Take a few hours to freshen up your wash space with a thorough clean, new tiles or simply by replacing a worn-out shower curtain.
For extra style points, borrow a tip from interior designers and layer your best towels on the side of the bath to add a touch of luxury.
Tap into nature
Winter weather can be beautiful. so don’t forget the great outdoors; escape outside and bring a few organic accessories back from your walks. Small fallen branches and twigs make atmospheric additions with a touch of spray paint or even left unadorned. Use as a centrepiece for a dinner party arrangement or place on a mantelpiece.
TELL US…
What changes do you make to your interior each season? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Winter weather can be beautiful. so don’t forget the great outdoors; escape outside and bring a few organic accessories back from your walks. Small fallen branches and twigs make atmospheric additions with a touch of spray paint or even left unadorned. Use as a centrepiece for a dinner party arrangement or place on a mantelpiece.
TELL US…
What changes do you make to your interior each season? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Soft textiles are a quick way to warm up your interior space, and folk-inspired upholstery and accessories are cross-seasonal classics. Navajo-style blankets, with triangle and diamond motifs, and kilim fabrics both work to introduce texture and interest. Layer with neutrals or go crazy for colour – these bohemian beauties are fantastically versatile.