JOIN USThe weather outside may be cold and dark. But that shouldn’t deter you from creating a warm winter cheer right inside your home. It’s not very difficult — all you would need are soft textures, warm lighting options, bright and twinkling accessories and some warm rugs and throws. To help you get started, here are few things to
begin with:
Have a focal point: It’s important to have one focal point in the living room that attracts attention and draws everyone to it. It could be the fireplace that radiates warmth and light or the life-size photo frame or the Christmas tree perhaps. If you don’t have a fireplace, don’t worry; let candles take over. Set them at strategic points to create a warm romantic feel.
Use holders or glass jars for scented candles and light them at dinner time or special events to create a festive mood. Whether you’re reading a book, watching a television show, having a conversation with friends or family, or roasting marshmallows, fireplaces make for a lovely, cosy evening decor. Remember to decorate the mantle with your favourite winter decor like pine cone, pine needles or branches, candles, ornaments etc.
Winter up the walls: Art lovers can display their love on the walls this season with a snowy landscape or any other winter- themed painting. This will instantly bring the outdoors in and create a special wintry mood. Your own pictures of a snowy holiday in Switzerland or Kashmir can make for an interesting decor item too.
Create a warm environment: Let your couches and chairs set the mood. Add soft comfortable pillows and velvety blankets or throws on your furniture for that extra warmth. Changing the room’s colour palette too can bring in the winter cheer. Opt for bright or warm colours like brownie chocolate, earthy walnut and cheerful reds. Even the paintings, pillows and frames should be in sync with the colours. Some possible colour schemes are white and silver, greys, white and blues, white and deep purple, white and red, dark brown and forest green, gold and beiges.
If you have a chandelier, embellish it with wintry leaves, pine cones, sparkly snowflakes or some hanging decor items. Not only is it fun to decorate, but it will
create more of the wintry atmosphere you want. Add rugs to all the areas of the house where required. It’s not pleasant to walk on cold floors and rugs, so use carpets to make a home feel a lot more inviting and warm.
Areas to keep in mind are bedsides, study room floors and the living room’s centre area. A plush velvety carpet or rug just under the sofa can be very relaxing for the feet. Also, consider repurposing items like wine bottles, barrels or mason jars to
create some lovely focal points for the home. Use vanilla beans or cinnamon to add to the winter flavour. It’s just another way to make it a welcoming home.
Keep the lights on: Keep the lighting dim and warm. Strong or white lights are good for daytime reading and for practical purposes, but winter evenings can be made warm only with diffused yellow lights.
Twinkling fairy lights up the window sill or a Christmas tree or just hangings from the mantle are a great addition to your room.
Let flowers do the talking: Bring in the beauty of the winter inside with floral arrangements, cosy candles and other decor around end tables and coffee tables. Winter flowers stay fresh for longer and instantly bring bright cheer to dull set-ups.
Pine cones, leaves, wood stones and flowers can all be bunched up and placed in a basket to make a nice centrepiece for the dining table. You can also place all of these into transparent containers and place them strategically in places like window sills and mantles to add a winter touch. Artificial ones can stay up longer and can be changed whenever needed.
Bring in textures: Let the look and feel too do the winter talking. Bring in silks, velvets, tussars and thick fabrics. Rich dark colours add to the warmth. Change the cushion covers to bright raw silk ones – burnt orange or bright magenta can be a lively option. Beds too can be adorned with bright and velvety reds and greens.
Bathrooms too can see a makeover with a change in towels and rugs. Scented candles too can add to a beautiful bathroom experience.
Ho ho ho!: You certainly cannot do without a Christmas tree. Bring in a tall and magnificent tree and decorate it with lights and ornaments for an extra special winter holiday look. The whole family can get together to decorate the tree. Special Christmas and winter dinners and lunches can be held just to share the festive spirit and also some decor ideas.
Get creative: Get those Santa caps on and get down with your old socks and
mittens. Fill them up with goodies and hang them at various places to surprise children. Wrap gifts in reds and whites and place them under the Christmas tree. Look for winter furnishing ideas available in the market, like cushion covers with snowflakes embroidered on them. There are some amazing winter paper decorations
available in the market that can be put up easily. Involve children and get them to make winter craft and flaunt them around the house.
With these few simple and innovative ideas, you can change the whole home’s
atmosphere and do away with the winter blues. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to usher in the festive fervour.