Decorating your home in fresh, modern tones and angles looks great in the summer. But when winter arrives, it can start to feel a bit too cold. You don’t want to be surrounded by hard surfaces, sharp angles and a monochrome colour scheme. Even with your heating turned on at full blast, you can still feel a little chilly. Don’t worry, though, because you can have the best of both worlds. Transform your modern space into a cosier home in the winter and you can put it right back to the way it was in spring. Use these techniques for a quick and easy transformation.
Soft Rugs
Hard floors are much trendier than fully carpeted ones, whether you have wood or polished concrete. But no one wants a chilly surface under their toes when they get up in the morning. You might have a pair of slippers or even be lucky enough to have underfloor heating. But the best way to bring a little warmth to your floors is with some aesthetically pleasing rugs that you can get from somewhere like Lulu & Georgia to make use of the space that has been left empty. There’s so much you can do with them, both big and small, to take the cold edge off any room. Put them strategically in the areas that get most foot traffic or layer them all around the room. You can choose something bright and patterned, a shaggy sheepskin or even a soft cowhide rug.
Warm Lights
Lighting can make all the difference when you’re trying to warm up a room. And you don’t need to make any permanent changes if you want to experiment with yours. The first thing you can try is simply changing the light bulbs. It might seem strange to have summer bulbs and winter bulbs. However, it makes a significant difference. Choose a GU10 LED bulb with a lower colour temperature (2700K) to get a very warm white. You can use other colours too, from yellow and orange to even using purple, red or blue. Table and floor lamps are also easy to add for the winter and then stow away when it’s warmer again.
Light a Fire
Not every home has an open fireplace. And perhaps you feel one wouldn’t fit in with your modern aesthetic. But if you do have one, now is the time to light it up and keep your house warm. If you’re considering putting one in, you can get modern fireplaces that look just as beautiful when they’re not lit. You could get a real one or a gas or an electric one, that won’t require a chimney or make as much mess. If a fire is a bit much for you, candles are just as useful for adding some light and warmth to a room. Plus, it’s easier to put them away when they’re no longer needed.
Snuggly Fabrics
Textiles are easy to add to any room to warm it up and then take away again later. In the bedroom, you can dress up your bed with more layers and warmer colours. The living room might get some new cushions and throws, or you could even put new covers on your sofas and chairs. Not only will these things make your home look warmer, but they’re also great for snuggling into.
Cosy Colours
Since you want to put your home back to normal once it’s warmer, painting or putting up new wallpaper would be a hassle. But there are other ways to add plenty of warm colour to your home. A lot of modern homes have very neutral shades that look great but don’t necessarily feel so good in the winter. Use all of the things that you’re adding in to put in some warmer colours. Get some navy cushions or a chocolate brown throw, or lay down a bright and colourful rug.
Holiday Decorations
The holidays are coming up, and there’s no better way to warm up a home than to decorate. There are so many things you can do to add beautiful decorations to your home in your own style. And the best thing is that you can put them all away once the season is over. You can get many stylish and current choices for both inside and outside your home. Your decorations don’t have to be tacky. Start with the front door by putting up a beautiful wreath and some glowing lanterns. Inside, you can have more lights and candles to warm up your home.
You don’t have to have a home that always feels warm or cold. When winter arrives, a few temporary changes will transform your modern home until spring comes.