JOIN USThere is a drop in the temperature, that’s hard to ignore. So, is your home ready for the winter? It’s time to get your home prepped for the season and infuse some fresh decor ideas to make it cosy, warm and welcoming. The cold makes winters one of the best seasons for spending long nights in the comfort of our homes.
Before you start refurbishing, you should take stock of every room and see if there is anything that needs to be disposed. Also, you might want to decide what should be the focal point of every room and then plan accordingly. This will allow you to select the right accents and accessories for your abode.
Keep it fragrant Often, we tend to seal cold air entering into our homes and that causes stale and germy odours. “It is necessary to keep the ambience fresh and away from dampness. With people spending more time indoors, air circulation is compromised, while the level of contaminants increases. Adapting to some of the artful and modern techniques of fragrance delivery systems will not only keep your homes smelling fresh, but will also aesthetically add charm to it.
Aroma candles, vaporisers and reed diffusers of ocean dream, lavender, dewberry, fresh cotton, gingerbread and green apple fragrances that are best suited for the winters. You get so many artful candles and diffusers that” says Kiran Ranga, aster Fragrances creator and MD, Ripple Fragrances.
Accentuate the decor
This season is all about keeping it simple and mixing eco-conscious elements, with bold seasonal hues. Warm colours, fresh carpeting, winter-inspired accents and new arrangements can make your home a warm haven during chilly winters.
Architect Pooja Sharma, director, Studio 13 Design, suggests adding throw and toss pillows, of rich jewel tones, to your sofa and chairs, and towels in fall colours in your kitchen and bathrooms to add warmth.
“Bring out the beautiful cashmere blankets, fur throws and quilted bedspreads. It’s also a good time to change the floor rug; in case you aren’t using one, then it’s a good time to invest in one. Cool neutral-coloured accessories need to give way to warmer tones of cocoa, rust and golds. Sheer curtains from the summers need to give way to more opulent draperies. Scented candles and lanterns are the right evening accents. For the added touch of luxury and sophistication, an area rug is a must,” advises Ayush Choudhary, creative director and founder, Cocoon Fine Rugs.
Be choosy with bedding the right kind of bedding during winter is of utmost importance as that’s where you need all the comfort, especially during this season. Choice of bedding should be such that it should trap your body heat enough to keep you warm, while keeping you comfy.
Bhakti Hegde, director, Chartered Housing, suggests, “Avoid lighter hues and pretty pastels. Instead, use darker shades; earthy hues should serve the purpose during winter. Skip regular lighting; go for warm lights which help to create an ambience well-suited for a relaxed winter-evening at home.”
Diya Sahgal, head of merchandising, LimeRoad.com, recommends adding hues of bright and vibrant yellow and orange in your crib to cheer up your mood during those dark and gloomy days.
Bring a bit of sunshine to your bedroom with attractive wall stickers, statement wall clocks and quirky pop-art cushions.
Keep it warm
Thermal performance of modern buildings can be improved with intelligent architecture. Wood itself is a natural nsulator due to air pockets within its cellular structure.
According to Brian Leslie, Technical Advisor, Canadian Wood from British
Columbia, “Wooden windows are more thermally efficient as they do not form 'thermal-bridges between the cold air outside and warm air inside (and vice versa in summer). Wood windows can be easily repaired and can be supplied in a number of colours or stains and built to a wide range of designs. Western Hemlock and Douglas-fir are great wood types for indows. They can be carved, stained and finished.”
“Layer up cushions on sofas and chairs to up the warmth in any room. Use soft and plush fabrics in cushions like velvets, mohair, chenille and suede that are perfect to snuggle in. Do away with the gloomy winter ambience by introducing some outdoor furniture and enjoy the sunlight during the day,” recommends Kaushiki Gon, style director, FabFurnish.com.
Just re-arrange it
For an inexpensive alternative to pricey, heavy-weight treatment, move furniture and accessories around until you find a new arrangement that you like. Group similar items together to create interest zones. For example, pair up lamps on a dull sideboard for an instant lift.
Using proper lighting, wall lights and table lamps in warm colours increase warmth and comfort. Handmade lamp shades add originality to winter decoration ideas, while letting you create more pleasant room decor with your favourite colours and patterns. Another quick way to add warmth to a room is to swap sheer curtains for heavy draperies.
Suggests Ashish Shah, Founder and COO, Pepperfry.com., “Start with specific areas of your home like your living room, bedroom, or kitchen. Small changes like introducing a new colour scheme or buying few new pieces of furniture can make a difference. Some easy ways to xplore are pairing lamps on a dull sideboard, adding a striking accent piece to your living area, painting one of the walls in a striking colour by treating it as a feature wall, or applying a striking wall paper. Just remember to use warm and earthy colours everywhere.”