HOW TO WARM UP YOUR SPACE DURING THE COLD SEASON
If you are reading this and you are seated pretty getting a tan while sipping on a mojito, catching a warm stroll on a beautiful white sandy beach, walking along a street with the glare of the sun on your face or having your favourite ice cream at home to keep yourself cool…Well, that must be very nice!
The rest of us are in regions experiencing winter and/or a type of cold we can't fathom (Hey Nairobians!!) and I can tell you, there’s nothing nice about it! But in spite of the cold, I respect mother nature and all the balance she provides for our ecosystem to exist seamlessly.
Hence, I’m focussing on adjusting to the cold season rather than whining and what better way for me to embrace the cold than to distract myself with a timely blog. In the cooler months, we evidently know how to layer our clothing to keep our bodies warm but how often do we change up our spaces and add some layering for those times we crave the same warmth and cosiness in our homes?
Well, I thought I’d share some tips on how to warm up your spaces and create a refuge from the cold by using an important element of styling-LAYERING!
Firstly, let’s note that layering is such an integral part of décor. It is essentially utilizing the potential of a space by mixing and matching colours, patterns, textures and styles to add depth and warmth to the space. It should be meaningful and be a reflection of your values and the life you live or want to live. You always want to layer while keeping in mind that the goal is to maximize both comfort and style.
The delicate balance of both comfort and style can be achieved easily by carefully layering in texture and tones for warmth and interest by the following;
Cosy up your bed. This is the only time I agree with the saying more is more. Show off your throw blankets and use them to layer your couch and bed. Use your luxe sheets too. I particularly like to curate the look by placing the throws in asymmetrical shapes for visual interest. Additionally, add on the throw blankets in baskets around the house. The easiest way to get warm and cuddled up is by wrapping yourself with your favourite throws.
Image via SOOTHEMYSPACE
2. Window treatments. Curtains are essential in controlling the amount of light and warmth in a space. In the cooler months you are looking to get all the light from the outside while at the same time trapping all the warmth in your space. Embrace sheer curtains. Sheer curtains are the perfect in between for these grey days, sheer curtains allow maximum light in while adding texture and softness.
3. Rugs are such a visually stimulating piece in any room that instantly layers and adds texture. However, the most important feature of rugs in winter is that they keep your feet warm. I recently got a rug for my bedroom and the timing couldn't be more perfect. It adds the perfect contrast to my wooden floors and plain ceiling. Bonus tip, when looking for a rug during the cold season, carefully consider the size of your room because you want a rug that covers a reasonable amount of the space.
Image via STUDIOSHAMSHIRI
4. A burst of colour; I know, I'm a neutral palette babe but I love colour when it's smeared and distributed intriguingly well. And now when I can't have sunshine, I'm leaning towards my plants and pops of colour throughout the home to evoke some sense of joy and sunshine. Consider having coloured vases, antiques and bright centrepieces as some of your burst of colour options. Add some greenery, become a plant dad or mum. Plants are not only aesthetically pleasing but they also add contrast to your walls and corners with their unique shades, shapes and sizes.
Image via ARTFULHOUSEE
5. Leverage on mood lighting. We can't argue about the functionality lighting provides in a space. It keeps a space well balanced. However additional mood lighting can make a room warm and multidimensional. Add a lamp in a corner, incorporate dimmers, or even the light fixtures in your space for that warm cuddling setting.
An unpopular opinion: switch your daylight white bulbs to warm yellow bulbs please!!!
Image via WENDYZ_HOME
6. Cushions and Pillows add a layer and personal flair to a room. The best thing about cushions is they come in different sizes. You can also place them on the bed, the floor, under console tables. Play around with various shapes, pick pillows in other more exciting patterns and textures other than the standard square shape.
Image via JOEYKENDALBROWN
7. Incorporate wood to your floors (if you are building or renovating) or as accent pieces (a more affordable way to go about it). Wood has natural rich brown tones that create the illusion of warmth and comfort. It also traps heat very well as opposed to tiles and ceramic floors would. You don’t believe me? Consider a cabin in the mountains made of wood as opposed to one made with stones and bricks, which one would you pick as your mountaineer accommodation.
Image via STYLEBOXKENYA
8. Include wall art. Too many naked walls are very unfriendly to the eye. By adding art the space feels less empty and immediately more inviting. Now, you can take this even further with the type of art you choose to fill the room, for example by adding a picture of raging fire it automatically signals to the observer the illusion of warmth.
9. Light your candles, soak in the glow and the warmth of the light. Ideally we would all love to have a fireplace in our homes but that extra cost can be substituted by introducing candles within various parts of the home. To avoid being bland, choose an assortment with various sizes and lengths, this will allow the light to hit at different angles and intensities and that creates a whimsical effect on the warmth in your space.
Image via CANDLESANDCHAI
Well, that's it! I hope you find a way or two to keep your space warm! The good news is, the season won't last forever and your space will definitely benefit from a bit of a spruce up!
Until next time,
xxxx
