Four Easy Steps To Transform Your Space For Winter

Simple Decor Tips for a Cozy Interior Design

There’s a chill in the air, and the days are getting shorter! There is no denying that winter is upon us. Not surprisingly, my favorite part of this time of year is decorating for winter. During the colder months, I always crave cozy, inviting spaces that will keep me warm and comfortable.

If you want to cozy up at home this season like me, here are four simple interior decor ideas to transform your home into an elegant winter wonderland.

Shift the Focal Point

As the cold sets in, invite your guests to stay warm! Shift the focal point of your living space so that it’s centered around the fireplace. There are two ways you can quickly and simply shift the focal point of the room with your interior decor:

1) Rearrange the furniture

Rearranging furniture to face the fireplace will help direct attention to the centerpiece of your winter decor, the crackling fire. Move your living room seating so that all of your guests have access to the warmth and comfort that your fireplace provides.

Then, hang a mirror above the mantel to elevate your focus and reflect natural light. This will instantly make the room feel brighter, more airy, and extra cheerful.

2) Decorate the mantel

Now that the focal point of the room is on your fireplace, it is time to decorate the mantel and create the cozy feeling you crave. Adding simplistic touches such as potted plants and greenery will add life to the space. If you’re looking for an extra-festive arrangement, use winter berries and evergreen branches for a rustic-yet-modern mantelpiece.

(Elegant fireplace decor: Designed by August Black)

Chase Away The Chill

I mentioned in my previous post, The True Value of an Interior Designer, that functionality is important to any interior design. There are two particularly functional pieces that I love to utilize as warm, cozy additions to any space during winter:

1) Blankets and throws

There’s nothing like curling up with a warm blanket on a cold winter’s day. But chunky knit blankets and soft, plush throws also act as decor for your home, giving the appearance of a warm, inviting space.

Drape a throw across the back of your sofa to encourage guests to get comfy. And add an extra blanket at the foot of every bed in your home to really ward off the cold this winter.

Get creative! Choose blankets that play off the existing colors in your space, but don’t shy away from an interesting pattern or texture you might not otherwise choose. That’s half the fun of seasonal decor.

2) Velvet drapes

Velvet drapes are a great way to add volume, color, and warmth to your living space during the winter. The heavy velvet will keep out the chilly draft from your windows, making sure you stay warm and cozy. And the plush velvet will add a luxurious touch to your space.

Warm blankets and velvet window treatments are my favorite seasonal decor trick because they are easily stored away, or swapped out for lighter alternatives, when the winter season is over.

(Cozy throw and velvet drapes: Photo from August Black Interior Design)

Connect With Your Senses

Your sense of smell is important when trying to create the perfect seasonal ambiance for your home, because the right scent can instantly transform a space and impact your mood. So, during winter, you should constantly be baking cookies… just kidding!

Candles are an excellent way to appeal to the senses and bring your winter decor to the next level. Scents with warm auras such as Amber, Vanilla Cinnamon, or Fresh Pine will give your space the perfect finishing touch. The warm, romantic glow that candles create will also add to the cozy, seasonal mood in your home.

(Seasonal candles: Photo from The White Company)

Create An Inviting Space

Because the cold weather and the holiday season, most of winter is spent indoors with family and friends. And since we spend so much time inside, it is important to create a cozy and inviting space that you enjoy spending time in. Here are just a couple more simple interior design ideas to make your home extra inviting this season:

1) Lighting

It’s important to have a variety of lighting solutions, particularly in your living room, so that you can adjust for every occasion. You’ll want to account for plenty of general light, so that your space is well lit all day (even when the sun goes down early). I suggest using dimmers so that you have more control of the atmosphere in your space.

Then, consider accent lighting that will add a cozy glow to your space when the general lights are down. For example, when you curl up to watch a movie with a cup of hot chocolate, you probably won’t want your overhead lights on! Account for that with subtle pendant lights or another kind of accent lighting solution.

If you are one of the many people working from home this winter, you’ll also want to make sure you have task lighting in your work space!

2) Color

While darker colors are usually associated with winter, I actually love lighter colors and winter whites! These light, reflective colors will keep the space looking bright, and will contrast nicely against the stark winter outdoors.

(Winter whites and dark accents: Photo from August Black)

Whether you are looking for a complete overhaul for the colder months, or just a few simple decor ideas to get you in the seasonal spirit, these interior design tricks are sure to make your home feel cozy for the winter.

Want to know more tricks for transforming your space? Read more of my blog posts here!