Scarves, coats, thick woollen jumpers… If the change of season is evident when it comes to fashion and clothing, it may be not so obvious when it comes to switching your house into winter mode. And yet, when the cold weather begins, the desire for a warm and comfortable interior is a must.
This article provides you with some room-by-room tips useful to transform your home into a warm and cosy place to live in. This way, you can face the winter in the best possible conditions without blowing up your energy bill.
Comfort right from the entrance
On the right: © Historiska Hem – historiskahem.se – @historiskahem
With the bad weather in winter, you have to deal with wind, rain and muddy or wet shoes in the house. Besides a good doormat, it is also good to have a bench, a chair or a stool so that you can take your shoes off when you come in. As well as a shoe rack to easily store the whole family’s shoes. Don’t forget coats, jackets and rain coats that can be stored neatly. As for gloves, scarves and hats, they will have a brand-new look if tidied up by category in pretty baskets. And finally, remember to place a mirror to check yourself before going out!
A cosy living room
During winter, your sofa becomes the family’s main reference point in the house. That’s why you need to make it as comfortable as possible. Next to soft plaids able to make relaxing evenings really pleasant, then add plenty of cushions. They will allow you to always assume the right position, with your head and back well-supported. Choose soft, woolly fabrics as well as warm colours recalling nature and the undergrowth: autumn colours are extremely popular at this time of year! Have some fun mixing these shades to create the right harmony. If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, stock up on logs and place them in a large basket. Do not forget the candles, which are ideal to compensate the lack of natural light and brighten up the atmosphere.
A bedroom where you feel good
Seen as a cosy nest, your bedroom deserves the maximum comfort. But be careful, this is not a valid reason to increase the heating. As everyone knows, we sleep much better when the temperature is not higher than 18°C. Opt instead for a good, warm duvet or a four-season duvet that can be lightened in spring. If you are very sensitive to cold, choose flannel sheets, a frosted cotton which avoids the icy effect of fabrics when you go to bed. The same goes for flannel pyjamas, which are not really sexy, but they will keep you much warmer compared to cotton. A good idea is also to have multiple layers on your bed: duvet, duvet cover, blanket in which you can wrap yourself or lay on your bed during the night. Provide more than one pillow per person: you will be able to create lovely colour combinations and gain in comfort while reading or resting. Even carpets are perfect for isolating from the floor your sensitive feet when stepping out of bed! Without forgetting lamps on the bedside table on either side of the bed for a soft light.
Regarding the children’s bedroom, use warm colours and natural materials to furnish it and tidy it up carefully.
On the right: © Alvhem – alvhem.com – @alvhem
A comfortable and well-equipped bathroom
On the right: © Alvhem – alvhem.com – @alvhem
In winter, this is a space in your house where you definitely want to feel warm and comfortable. Towel heaters are welcomed, some of them are even equipped with a blower and thermostat to boost the temperature. Others can be moved around and installed wherever you want, just like any other auxiliary heater. Add soft carpets so that you do not have to be in direct contact with the floor. And to keep you from twisting and turning in and out of the shower, consider wall storage and hooks to place within easy reach. Without getting cold, all you will have to do is reach for your towels or bathrobe when you get out of the shower. If you prefer baths, give yourself a moment of pure relaxation with some scented candles and your favourite playlist.
A kitchen that promotes conviviality
It’s a well-known reality that we are not used to eating the same meals in winter as in summer. This is why you should try seasonal vegetable soups, invigorating gratins and stews. This is why you should try seasonal vegetable soups, invigorating gratins and stews. If you have a large family, there’s nothing like mountain recipes such as a good raclette, fondue or polenta. Dare to try salads combining vegetables and fruits, endives with pears and walnuts or lettuce with beetroot and orange, in order to give your cooking a gourmet and comforting twist. By getting the whole family involved in preparing meals or inventing new recipes, you’ll be sharing good times together while having a great time. And don’t forget to include hot drinks, tea, coffee and infusions to warm you up at any time of the day.
On the right: © Entrance –entrancemakleri.se – @entrancemakleri
Finally, if you want your kitchen to be really warm and welcoming, treat it as a living space rather than a sanitised laboratory. That is the best way to stimulate an appetite and the desire to cook. By displaying fruit in a dish keeping it within easy reach, storing your pretty dishes or groceries in jars on a sideboard or shelf, or keeping utensils in a pot near the hob, you will provide a soul to your kitchen. Moreover, if you want to personalise it, there is nothing to stop you from decorating the walls with family photos or paintings that recall nature or the art of well-eating.
Indeed, it cannot be emphasised enough that to make a house warm, heating is not sufficient. By ensuring soft lighting and cosy rooms, it’s up to you to make your home feel like your own. Even in the heart of winter, when the sky is grey and temperatures drop.
