5 ways to warm up those Winter Blues
From the long days and sunshine to the cold wintery nights, seasons of life also change. This climatic change means change in your wardrobe and with every new season brings a new style and fashion with it. New colours and trends get introduced. At the end of every season your wardrobe feels like it is time for a refresh!
Our homes are very similar. The idea is to bring in a bit of warmth into our homes through its decor. I've narrowed the fields down to five key things that could help with 'warming up your Winter Blues'.
1. Layering
The key to successful interior design is getting all of the elements of a room to pull together and feel natural – while still achieving a sense of individualism. We do this by 'layering'. It elevates a space from the every day to the unexpected.
To start thinking about layering a room properly, you need to break the room down into categories and look at them individually. Wall coverings, Flooring, Furniture, Soft furnishings, Lighting, Wall elements and Décor items.
Each of these elements is a separate layer and should be taken into account individually and then add each layer, one at a time.
2. Colours
Colours for Autumn/ Winter 2020 are Grey, blue, tangerine and silver – which is basically grey. This arbitrary list may not work for your home but the idea is you pick your colours and make them work for your own home.
Choosing a colour palette takes skill. If you haven’t yet hired an interior designer, think about contrast (choosing opposite shades on the colour wheel), and complementary tones. It’s important to know the kind of mood you want to be in when you’re in that room: colour is extremely emotive and a simple shade of paint can slightly alter your emotions on a long-term basis. It really is that powerful.
3. Textures & Materials
In order to make a room feel inviting and comfortable, you’ll need to pay close attention to the textures you choose. With almost infinite possible combinations of textures, colours and patterns, you need to figure out what works for your space in order to create the most relaxing feel.
When you’re thinking about layering textures in a room, start from the bottom up. Your flooring can, of course, be wooden or carpeted; or you might choose to lay down some vinyl.
In 2018, we saw the rise of layered rugs – perfect for those times when you can’t choose between two favourites. If they’re both from a complementary colour palette, you’ll have the freedom to make an impact with two different styles. Pinterest is overflowing with images of cowhide rugs placed on top of seagrass or jute rugs. It’s a delightful and versatile look; that’s for certain.
Many people think textures are limited to the soft furnishings of a room, such as fluffy cushions, leather chairs and wooden coffee tables. However, textured walls can add an extra-luxurious vibe to a room. It’s a tricky concept to get right.
4. Add some Green
Houseplants can do more than just make your shelves look brighter. They also can boost your mood, enhance your creativity, reduce your stress levels, increase your productivity, bring you tranquility, maintain indoor humidity levels, produce oxygen, and naturally filter air pollutants. Plants add colour without competing with other colours in the room.
5. Mix up the new with the old
Rustic design is often described as simple, coarse, and strikingly beautiful. Natural materials such as raw wood, stone, and metals dominate in these designs, as the main challenge is to create an interior that resembles the simplicity and beauty found in the outside world.
Rustic furniture is often made from recycled and reclaimed materials that reinforce the sense of re-purposing. Unlike contemporary or traditional furniture, a rustic style has no predictable lines or patterns. Often, unrefined tree trunks form tables and bed frames, offering an authentic feel of comfort.
Rustic design is a great way to connect or reconnect with nature’s elements and benefit from her soothing powers. If you seek to return to a warm and comfortable home, then look no further than rustic.
