As winter rolls around, we begin to need different things from our homes. Rather than spending the days outdoors enjoying the sun, we’re cocooning and enjoying the comforts of our indoor spaces. Winter calls for different accessories, but also a different atmosphere.
While your big-ticket items remain constant all year round – sofas, flooring, large pieces of furniture – it’s easy enough to switch up the mood and functionality of your spaces with some easy swaps and the integration of a couple of key accessories.
Is it worth the effort?
You may wonder – is it worth spending time and on seasonal updates? That depends on you ultimately. But there are benefits to be had from making a space more liveable and – most importantly – comfortable for the time of year that you’re in. The physical benefits of updating your space with the seasons are also matched by the psychological – feeling in sync with what’s happening in the natural world, while also minimising its discomfort allows you to feel at ease.
And they needn’t break the bank – if done strategically you can make a big impact but updating only a few key items. And by focusing on good quality materials and timeless pieces (barring the odd trend-led accent), you can use them year on year.
instant impact items
The most logical place to start in winter is with your soft furnishings. Here a few small updates can make a world of difference. Winter-weight throws and blankets in natural fabrics, accent cushions in a warmer palette and even the strategic placement of a new rug. While these are primarily functional items, they also pull their weight in changing the ambience of your rooms.
As far the purely aesthetic pieces go, art and accessories are an easy way to inject new life into your rooms. With art, always choose pieces for longevity – they’re investments after all – but there’s no reason you can’t have a rotating collection (think of your walls like a gallery). For accessories, again, a warm palette and textural finishes with warmth in them (wood, metallics, brown-veined marble for example) all lend a cosiness to the scheme.
To elevate the atmosphere still further, consider the lighting and scent. Lighting should always be warm, but especially so in winter (table lamps are a good way to add extra glow). And scented candles and diffusers (citrus, woody, spicy, amber and vanilla) will underscore the sense of warmth and welcome.
Bear in mind
When updating key accessories for the changing seasons (and weather), consider what you do have already. The idea is not to change your space entirely but rather to steer it in a slightly different direction. So any changes you make should work with the existing foundation – if your space is classic, or contemporary, lean into making additions that will complement the existing scheme.
Also, rotating your spaces seasonally needn’t mean you’ll be discarding pieces. While they’re out of the mix, remember they’ll need to be cleaned, packed and stored safely until their time comes around again.