9 Ways to 'Winterise' a Summery Room
When the temperature drops, those bare, open spaces no longer feel quite right – here are nine ways to add some cosiness
Winter is officially here, which means it’s time to bring out the woollens and prepare for long, cosy nights in. If your interior leans more towards summer cool than cosy and cocooning, don’t despair. Here are some simple ways you can dial up the warmth factor.
Similarly, a plush rug in classic cream grounds this airy and summery space and brings much-needed warmth for the cooler months.
Looking to refresh your dated interior? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help
Looking to refresh your dated interior? Find a local interior designer on Houzz to help
2. Introduce a wild and whimsical wallpaper
Bold, patterned wallpaper is having a moment – just in time for winter. Line the wall behind your bed, on the back of shelves, or use it across the walls of a tiny powder room – it works just about anywhere you can think of.
Choose wintry tones of ink and olive to add a cocooning feel to the space.
Bold, patterned wallpaper is having a moment – just in time for winter. Line the wall behind your bed, on the back of shelves, or use it across the walls of a tiny powder room – it works just about anywhere you can think of.
Choose wintry tones of ink and olive to add a cocooning feel to the space.
3. Up the texture
Looking for a fast way to add comfort and warmth to your living room? Texture is your best friend. Pile the sofa high with cushions of different shapes and sizes, introduce some soft throws and drape a sheepskin rug or two over armchairs.
Looking for a fast way to add comfort and warmth to your living room? Texture is your best friend. Pile the sofa high with cushions of different shapes and sizes, introduce some soft throws and drape a sheepskin rug or two over armchairs.
This season it’s all about natural, touch-me textures. Think bouclé, felt, velvet and linen – the more you add to the mix, the merrier.
4. Hang curtains
Uncovered windows can leak as much as 40 percent of your home’s warmth, according to the CSIRO. So now’s the time to swap out those lightweight sheers for thick curtains in an insulating fabric to keep the warmth in.
Uncovered windows can leak as much as 40 percent of your home’s warmth, according to the CSIRO. So now’s the time to swap out those lightweight sheers for thick curtains in an insulating fabric to keep the warmth in.
For maximum heat retention, choose specialist thermal fabrics and ensure curtains hang right to the floor, with no gaps around the edges. Adding a pelmet helps prevent even more heat from escaping, which can save you a serious amount on heating bills.
While you’re at it, look at sealing all those gaps around doors and windows – according to Energy Australia, they can up add up to a whopping 25 percent to your power bills.
While you’re at it, look at sealing all those gaps around doors and windows – according to Energy Australia, they can up add up to a whopping 25 percent to your power bills.
5. Add texture to your walls
If you haven’t received the memo, feature walls are officially back – and they’re a great way to add depth and a snug feel to rooms where you want to relax, such as your bedroom and living area.
If you haven’t received the memo, feature walls are officially back – and they’re a great way to add depth and a snug feel to rooms where you want to relax, such as your bedroom and living area.
This season, just about anything goes for feature walls, including escapist, scenic-print wallpapers and large-scale murals.
But if it’s an unmistakably wintry feel you’re after, nothing beats a textural, linen-look wallpaper in one of this season’s rich, earth-drawn hues.
But if it’s an unmistakably wintry feel you’re after, nothing beats a textural, linen-look wallpaper in one of this season’s rich, earth-drawn hues.
6. Set up a snug spot
The chilly months are all about slowing the pace and hunkering down indoors. Make it a pleasure by setting up a cosy little spot where you can read, enjoy a mug of hot chocolate or simply daydream.
Bring in an armchair or chaise longue from another room and position it by the fire or overlooking a gorgeous view; add in cushions, a snuggly throw, a lamp and somewhere to pop a book.
The chilly months are all about slowing the pace and hunkering down indoors. Make it a pleasure by setting up a cosy little spot where you can read, enjoy a mug of hot chocolate or simply daydream.
Bring in an armchair or chaise longue from another room and position it by the fire or overlooking a gorgeous view; add in cushions, a snuggly throw, a lamp and somewhere to pop a book.
7. Add cocooning colours
Warm colours drawn from the natural world are trending at the moment – and they’re perfect for setting a winter-ready tone in your home. Think earthy greens, oceanic blues, caramel and rust.
Warm colours drawn from the natural world are trending at the moment – and they’re perfect for setting a winter-ready tone in your home. Think earthy greens, oceanic blues, caramel and rust.
Try colour blocking across two or three walls in a room. To avoid visual overload, choose a palette of no more than three colours. Then, pick up the same colours elsewhere in the room, such as in artwork, rugs and soft furnishings to create a cohesive and curated feel.
8. Winterise your bedding
Swap out your plain white cotton bed linen for layers of colour and texture during the cooler months. Add an extra quilt or duvet, replace cotton sheets with ones in warmer fabrics such as flannel or heavy linen, and bring in a woollen throw or blanket to drape across the end of the bed.
Seek out duvet covers and cushions in colours on the warmer end of the spectrum, such as turmeric, terracotta and slubby brown.
And don’t be afraid to mix different fabrics on your bed, such as wool, linen, cotton and velvet – it adds a cosy and eclectic feel.
Swap out your plain white cotton bed linen for layers of colour and texture during the cooler months. Add an extra quilt or duvet, replace cotton sheets with ones in warmer fabrics such as flannel or heavy linen, and bring in a woollen throw or blanket to drape across the end of the bed.
Seek out duvet covers and cushions in colours on the warmer end of the spectrum, such as turmeric, terracotta and slubby brown.
And don’t be afraid to mix different fabrics on your bed, such as wool, linen, cotton and velvet – it adds a cosy and eclectic feel.
9. Pop in a pouf
Finish off your wintry living room scheme with a curvy ottoman or pouf – it adds a cosy, casual feel and makes a handy spot to rest a book, glass of wine or prop your feet up when you come in from the cold.
Your turn
How do you like to winterise your home in the cooler months? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like this story, save your favourite images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more decorating stories? Don’t miss this one: 9 Design Experts on the One Thing You Need for a Fab Family Home
Finish off your wintry living room scheme with a curvy ottoman or pouf – it adds a cosy, casual feel and makes a handy spot to rest a book, glass of wine or prop your feet up when you come in from the cold.
Your turn
How do you like to winterise your home in the cooler months? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to like this story, save your favourite images for inspiration and join the conversation.
More
Want to see more decorating stories? Don’t miss this one: 9 Design Experts on the One Thing You Need for a Fab Family Home
Never underestimate the power of a great rug. It’s a sure-fire way to add instant texture and warmth to a summery room – plus it feels wonderful underfoot.
Here, a rug in rich tones of green, ink and rust transforms a light-filled living area that leans towards the minimalist into a cosy spot you’d love to curl up in.