From Cold to Comfort: Interior Design to Warm the Soul
With below-freezing temperatures, short days and long nights – winter is certainly in need of a PR overhaul. However, these cooler months needn’t be bleak or depressing. In fact, it’s the perfect time of year to kick off a redecoration project.
Warm design needn’t just be reserved for the den or library. Transform your entire home “from cold to comfort” with interior design tweaks that warm the soul all winter long:
Abundant Layering: One of the quickest and easiest ways to make a room feel warmer is through layering – and lots of it! Amp up the coziness of your space with a generous surplus of layered rugs, throws, pillows and knits. Great effects can be achieved by layering contrasting textures too.
Introduce Warm Hues: Reds, oranges, yellows, gold and chestnut are wonderfully warm colors that create the illusion of warmth in an instant. Introduce these colors easily with coffee table books in a variety of sizes. Books layered onto a coffee table or stacked on a bookshelf give a room a quiet sense of thoughtful coziness. Use books with positive imagery or ones that conjure happy memories.
Insulate Against the Chill: When was the last time you checked your windows and doors for leaks? Good insulation transcends the realm of interior design into one of practical necessity! I always encourage clients in New York City to invest in double glazed windows because they keep out both the cold AND the noise! Drapes, curtains, and blinds add extra insulation at night time too.
Emphasize Wood and Fire Elements: Wood has an undeniable natural warmth to it. Consider incorporating a wooden cabinet, stylish new dining table, or even a simple, low-rise coffee table. Juxtapose alongside the Feng Shui Fire Element which should be enhanced all winter long. Emphasize Fire with beeswax candles, a well-maintained fireplace, and red pottery.
Don’t Forget Lighting: Thoughtful lighting design is a crucial component of warm winter decorating. Mixing up your light sources is a simple way to lift the spirit on a subconscious level throughout the winter. Employ a mixture of overhead fixtures, task lighting, floor lamps and up-lights throughout your home and office to achieve an invitingly warm glow. Enhance shine by incorporating accents with metallic surfaces and mirrored details. These finishes not only offer design interest and contrast, they also reflect light with a beautiful, illuminating quality.
These simple interior design tricks will transform your home into a cozy den worthy of winter-long hibernation!
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