For Warmth in Winter

Annu Bains

As the temperature dips and we pull out our woollens, it’s also time to introduce subtle changes to the interiors of the house to make it feel cozier. Stepping into the comfort of a warm welcoming house is a great feeling. Also, interiors if done accordingly help you recuperate to bounce back at work the next day. A handful of changes and you are well-prepared to deal with temperature readings in single digit.

Pop of colour

Place cushions in playful patterns or in jewel colours like emerald, ruby and sapphire on couches. The colours look rich and add a warm, opulent feel to the home. A bright Scottish-plaid throw on a sofa and a fluffy-soft throw on a day-bed provide a toasty spot where you can tuck your chilly toes while you read and relax. In case an odd chair or ottoman in your house needs a change of fabric, this is the right time to do that in bright orange or sunny yellow to chase the winter blues away.

Rug up the floor

Bare floors in winter look uninviting and cold. Cozy these up with the addition of shaggy area rugs. Woollen kilim rugs are ideal to use in this season. Carpets and rugs add depth and texture to a room, besides defining a seating area. Go for a dhurrie, a Persian carpet, or a woollen rug to match your present decor or create a contrast by pairing a vintage rug with a chair in contemporary design. Whatever is your decor liking — classic or contemporary — a rug on the floor is a staple for winters.

Brighten up surroundings

Appropriate lighting makes a house look plush. In winter especially, it adds warm glow to the interiors. Use of dimmers makes the house soothing, so does table lamps. Off white or creamy-ivory shades of lamps are ideal for this quarter of the year. Fairy lights on a console promise a dramatic look. Avoid bright fluorescent lights in winter, as these give a cold clinical look to the interiors.

Prep up your fireplace

If you are lucky enough to have a real fireplace in your house, then rearrange your furniture around it so that you can enjoy the flickering warmth of wooden logs. The fireplace mantle will look stunning with a cluster of ivory-pillar candles, which is also an inexpensive way of doing up the fireplace. A colourful mirror in an intricately carved frame along with some antiques make for a royal setting. This style of decor looks particularly chic with lots of peachy oranges, aqua hues along with dusty pinks. With basics in place, your fireplace can be the focal point of your home this winter.

Magic of aroma

Burn candles infused with the fragrance of cinnamon, cloves and pine needles. Add a bowl of potpourri scented with cedar wood, sweet orange or nutmeg. Burn these essential-oil blends in diffusers for the desired effect. This again is another inexpensive way to prepare your place for winter.

The writer is a Chandigarh-based interior architect.