13 Cosy Ways to Wrap Up Your Home for Winter
Now that long summer days are over, it's time to snuggle up like cosy Kiwis. These ideas will help you keep your toes toasty at home
Catherine Smith
30 May 2016
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. A design addict from way back, I can't resist looking at other people's houses. And doing a tiny bit of styling and decluttering. Just a tiny bit.
Houzz New Zealand Contributor. A design addict from way back, I can't resist looking... More
There may only be snow on the ground in southern parts of New Zealand, but even in the warmer north the appearance of cooler nights, buckets of rain and dark-before-dinnertime skies means it’s time to warm up the decor. If your house is designed more for barefoot living with the doors flung open, here is how to add a layer of warmth to your interiors.
1. Light your fire
It must be our pioneering roots – but for most of us, a fireplace warms up a room visually like nothing else. Although good insulation, heat pumps and double-glazing may physically keep the cold out and the warmth in, there’s nothing like a pile of wood scavenged from a friendly farmer on a cold winter night. Check with your council and fireplace installer about reticulating the heat from the fireplace to upper-storey rooms or about a water jacket to enable you to heat water too.
It must be our pioneering roots – but for most of us, a fireplace warms up a room visually like nothing else. Although good insulation, heat pumps and double-glazing may physically keep the cold out and the warmth in, there’s nothing like a pile of wood scavenged from a friendly farmer on a cold winter night. Check with your council and fireplace installer about reticulating the heat from the fireplace to upper-storey rooms or about a water jacket to enable you to heat water too.
Share the love between living and dining room with a double-sided fireplace – either completely freestanding, as seen here, or inserted in a dividing wall. The lacy plywood Coral Pendant Light fitting is another modern Kiwi classic, by designer David Truebridge – named one of the top 15 designers in the world by French magazine, Express – and is made from 60 identical pieces of ply pinned together.
For the sophisticated look favoured by designers such as Karen Walker, the rotating Aurora (available from Real Fires) swings 360 degrees to face any direction in the room, is a beautiful sculpture, even when the fires are not burning.
Where to put the fireplace
Where to put the fireplace
2. Keep firewood handy
Kiwis pride themselves on being world champs at one of the world’s lesser-known sports: wood chopping. Every autumn country show has burly blokes reducing tree trunks to splinters. We even make artwork out of it, knowing that a well-stacked supply of firewood is a thing of beauty. Make sure you create a warm display somewhere dry and easily accessible in your socks – nothing spoils a cosy fireside evening than an unshod trek to the wood pile in the rain.
Kiwis pride themselves on being world champs at one of the world’s lesser-known sports: wood chopping. Every autumn country show has burly blokes reducing tree trunks to splinters. We even make artwork out of it, knowing that a well-stacked supply of firewood is a thing of beauty. Make sure you create a warm display somewhere dry and easily accessible in your socks – nothing spoils a cosy fireside evening than an unshod trek to the wood pile in the rain.
3. Add curtains
Kiwi homes came late to double-glazing, so adding a second layer of insulation with curtains is more our style. Good curtains can reduce heat loss by up to 60% for single glazed windows, and 40% to 50% for double glazed, according to Energywise.
To improve the curtains’ effectiveness, fit them tightly against the window frame, run them from floor to ceiling (or up to a pelmet) and use double backing or bumpf padding.
Kiwi homes came late to double-glazing, so adding a second layer of insulation with curtains is more our style. Good curtains can reduce heat loss by up to 60% for single glazed windows, and 40% to 50% for double glazed, according to Energywise.
To improve the curtains’ effectiveness, fit them tightly against the window frame, run them from floor to ceiling (or up to a pelmet) and use double backing or bumpf padding.
4. Rethink your lighting
Warm pools of light, hung low over the tables or standing beside seating makes a space more inviting and cosy than the glare of downlights.
Warm pools of light, hung low over the tables or standing beside seating makes a space more inviting and cosy than the glare of downlights.
5. Layer cosy rugs underfoot
It’s been great all summer having bare floors so kids and dogs can run in and out. But now that life is centred indoors, add a rug to warm up the cool tiles or wood floor. Choose a durable patterned rug (probably not the best antique, a good reproduction will do) to hide dirt, or hunt for a classic piece of Kiwiana, such as a vintage Axminster floral ‘cow skin’.
It’s been great all summer having bare floors so kids and dogs can run in and out. But now that life is centred indoors, add a rug to warm up the cool tiles or wood floor. Choose a durable patterned rug (probably not the best antique, a good reproduction will do) to hide dirt, or hunt for a classic piece of Kiwiana, such as a vintage Axminster floral ‘cow skin’.
Or bring back the seventies with shaggy textured pile for a cool conversation corner.
6. Warm up the colour palette
Cool whites, sandy linens, fresh blues and greens helped lower the summer temperature. But now start adding warm colours – reds, oranges, wood and copper tones – to cosy up for autumn.
The coolest shades for winter
Cool whites, sandy linens, fresh blues and greens helped lower the summer temperature. But now start adding warm colours – reds, oranges, wood and copper tones – to cosy up for autumn.
The coolest shades for winter
7. Throw on a blanket
If you’ve packed away the throw blankets, now is the time to give them a wash and layer them on sofas, window seats and beds. Nothing beats a mohair for warmth and lightness, especially when the mohair comes from angora goats farmed right here in rolling NZ pastures.
If you’ve packed away the throw blankets, now is the time to give them a wash and layer them on sofas, window seats and beds. Nothing beats a mohair for warmth and lightness, especially when the mohair comes from angora goats farmed right here in rolling NZ pastures.
8. Hunt for fur
Australian readers look away, as in New Zealand possums are noxious pests destroying our native bush and birds’ habitats, so are open season for hunters. That means loads of gorgeous fur pelts begging to be reused. Make like a medieval baron and throw a luxurious possum blanket on your bed. You may not want to emerge from hibernation until spring.
Australian readers look away, as in New Zealand possums are noxious pests destroying our native bush and birds’ habitats, so are open season for hunters. That means loads of gorgeous fur pelts begging to be reused. Make like a medieval baron and throw a luxurious possum blanket on your bed. You may not want to emerge from hibernation until spring.
There’s a reason the Scandi look so heavily features shaggy sheepskins thrown on every surface – and why our millions of merino sheep survive high-country winters outdoors: nothing beats sheepskin for warmth and comfort. Try not to throw one on everything, but a cosy sheepie beside your bed helps get you up in the morning.
Cosy up your home with sheepskin
Cosy up your home with sheepskin
9. Settle in with a good book
You can stop all that nonsense of running around outside now, swimming and playing and all of that. Now that the crisp winter winds are on their way, it’s time to retreat inside with a good book instead. A fireplace, a shaggy rug and a nice glass of something warm, and who cares what the weather is doing outside?
You don’t have to be a hermit to enjoy staying indoors, though. A pair of his and hers reading chairs, some cool music on the sound system, and the scene is set for a companionable evening in.
You can stop all that nonsense of running around outside now, swimming and playing and all of that. Now that the crisp winter winds are on their way, it’s time to retreat inside with a good book instead. A fireplace, a shaggy rug and a nice glass of something warm, and who cares what the weather is doing outside?
You don’t have to be a hermit to enjoy staying indoors, though. A pair of his and hers reading chairs, some cool music on the sound system, and the scene is set for a companionable evening in.
To make your reading nook even better, bring in a footstool for lounging, good lighting, and a side table to hold the waiting-to-be-read pile. This might be the winter you get to finish all 832 pages of 2013 Man Booker prize-winning tale of hard times in the West Coast gold rush, The Luminaries.
11 book lovers and where they like to read
11 book lovers and where they like to read
10. Warm up the outdoors
Until the sun goes down (or even longer if you have a covered ceiling and wind-down side blinds to cut the chill) you can gather around the outdoor fireplace too. Copy the chic Hawke’s Bay or Queenstown winery restaurants and add some cuddly throws on outdoor lounges to encourage people to linger.
Until the sun goes down (or even longer if you have a covered ceiling and wind-down side blinds to cut the chill) you can gather around the outdoor fireplace too. Copy the chic Hawke’s Bay or Queenstown winery restaurants and add some cuddly throws on outdoor lounges to encourage people to linger.
11. Celebrate seasonal gardening
A garden doesn’t have to be about year-round lushness. Plant some deciduous and fruiting plants so that you can enjoy the change of seasons with autumn fruits (apples, persimmons, crab apples, berries) and nuts. Or just create a stunning display of leaves, like this gardener favourite Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia).
A garden doesn’t have to be about year-round lushness. Plant some deciduous and fruiting plants so that you can enjoy the change of seasons with autumn fruits (apples, persimmons, crab apples, berries) and nuts. Or just create a stunning display of leaves, like this gardener favourite Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia).
12. Deal with wet boots and brollies
It may not be glamorous, but add good doormats inside and outside the main entrances to spare yourself from mud and dirt being tramped through the house. Add hooks for coats, and set up a good shoe rack near the door to keep sports boots and muddy playground shoes out of the house. A wipe-clean surface is a must.
How to create a ‘mudroom’
It may not be glamorous, but add good doormats inside and outside the main entrances to spare yourself from mud and dirt being tramped through the house. Add hooks for coats, and set up a good shoe rack near the door to keep sports boots and muddy playground shoes out of the house. A wipe-clean surface is a must.
How to create a ‘mudroom’
An umbrella stand that catches the drips is much smarter than leaving dripping brollies hanging over the bath or laundry tub. And you’re more likely to remember to take one with you as you run out the door in the morning. If you’re sick of snapping umbrellas in the windiest of winters, this is the year to invest in the world’s strongest umbrella, designed right here. The Blunt can cope with winds of 117kph – an average Wellington winter.
13. Banish the drying
Two out of five kiwi houses don’t have clothes dryers, and many others don’t like to use them for precious natural fibres. Spare yourself racks of wet washing cluttering up the living spaces by installing an indoor drying rack in the laundry or garage. Look for heated models if you need to get things dry quickly.
Two out of five kiwi houses don’t have clothes dryers, and many others don’t like to use them for precious natural fibres. Spare yourself racks of wet washing cluttering up the living spaces by installing an indoor drying rack in the laundry or garage. Look for heated models if you need to get things dry quickly.
If you still hate the look of hanging, check out these racks on drawer runners that can be slid out of sight under the bench.
10 drying rack solutions for your laundry
10 drying rack solutions for your laundry
Set up a stunning stack of firewood under cover, highlight some autumn foliage in the shrubbery and it’s not so bad really saying goodbye to summer.
TELL US
What changes do you make to your house as autumn sets in? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Cosy Bedrooms with a Laid Back Country Feel
Winter warmers: 14 Tricks to Cosy up You Bathroom
10 Small Changes for an Autumn-Happy Home
TELL US
What changes do you make to your house as autumn sets in? Share your ideas in the Comments below.
MORE
10 Cosy Bedrooms with a Laid Back Country Feel
Winter warmers: 14 Tricks to Cosy up You Bathroom
10 Small Changes for an Autumn-Happy Home
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My cat misread #7 as 'throw up on a blanket'. Lesson: make barriers between companion animals and your more precious and expensive homewares, or be prepared to accept damage.
Oh, deary me. That's the trouble when cats speed read, they miss the important details! Too clever by half. Do not point him/her to #8, useful ways with fur, you may make it nervous.
This story nearly, nearly mind you, makes me wish for winter! some lovely photos here. I am glad to read that kiwi's are also not reliant on tumble dryers. I know it gets cold in the US and they do have in some places a lot of snow, but the amount of americans on these lifestyle programs who say, "where is the dryer, what hang the clothes outside? horror of all horrors!" Yes people, take every opportunity to hang your clothes outside,even if under cover if that suits you best, but the tumble dryer should only ever be a backup if it has been raining or snowing for many days at a time and is should be the last option. Think of our enviroment, how to achieve lower energy bills, let alone lengthening the life of your clothes! I rarely use mine!