The winter days are gradually drawing to an end, and it’s time to start thinking about winter. This is a time of year when many of us start planning for a change in the weather — and a big part of that is making our homes cosier.
During the summer months, we like our homes to be airy, spacious and open to the elements. However, when the darker days start rolling in, many of us like to feel enclosed, warm and secluded. If you want to transform your home into a cosy den in readiness for the winter, there are a few ways you can achieve your goal with the minimum of effort.
1. Battery-powered candles
While real candles always look fantastic, they pose a fire risk. You can achieve a similar effect with battery-powered alternatives. They flicker like a real candle, but you don’t have to worry about them tipping over and starting a fire.
2. Faux fur blankets
We often like something soft to snuggle up with during the dark, cold afternoons of late autumn and winter. Transform your main living areas in an instant by placing faux fur blankets on your chairs and sofas. They’re luxurious, soothing and very warm — perfect for adding an element of cosiness to a living room.
3. Go overboard on pillows
If you’re looking for maximum cosiness in your living areas, you simply can’t have enough pillows and cushions. Velvet throw pillows in particular look fantastic and feel great against the skin.
4. Fairy lights
While you probably don’t want your home to resemble Santa’s grotto in November, a few carefully placed fairy lights can give dark areas of a room a warm, comforting glow.
5. Thick rugs
Particularly if you have hard floors in your home, rooms can feel cold, even if they’re not. Add an element of cosiness and the impression of warmth with large, thick and luxurious rugs. After all, there’s no better way to spend a cold evening in than by relaxing on a rug in front of a roaring fire.
6. A netted bed canopy
You don’t need to splash out on a four poster bed to get the desired effect. There are some excellent netted bed canopies on the market these days, and they simple screw into the ceiling above the bed. Soft, elegant and comforting, a netted canopy is romantic — and it creates a stunningly cosy bedroom.
7. Velvet curtains
A lot of houses lose a lot of warmth through the windows — even if they’re in a good state of repair. A thick set of velvet curtains act as a great insulator, but they also create the illusion of warmth. You can turn up the cosiness to 11 by installing ceiling-to-floor curtains.
8. Low-level lighting
Traditional, ceiling-mounted lighting can be rather harsh at times. To create an air of cosiness in any room of your home, switch to low-level lighting. Table lamps and free-standing floor lamps are perfect. You can add a different dimension to any living space with the addition of so-called “Edison” lamps. These faux Victorian lights look they came from Thomas Edison’s workshop, and they deliver a beautiful warm glow that can be adjusted according to your mood.
9. A rotating light projector
There’s nothing like a little mood lighting to maximise the cosiness of a room. A rotating projector can deliver projected light and make it dance around your home. Bring the Northern Lights into your living room and relax.
10. An essential oil diffuser
Research tells us that certain aromas help us to relax and unwind. A great way to create some great autumn aromas in your home involves the use of an essential oil diffuser. The latest models come in a range of materials, including oak and pine. Not only do they emit clouds of your favourite essential oil, they also add to the ambience of a room, thanks to LED lighting that changes colour periodically.
Creating a cost autumnal wonderland in your home doesn’t need to cost the earth — just the odd tweak here and there should suffice.
