We can feel the chill in the wind now and are gearing up to welcome the cold by buying warm clothes, stocking up our kitchen with winter foods and so on. But what most of us forget to do is give our house a winter makeover. Yes, with the mercury dipping, it is also time to make some small, and some significant changes to the interiors, and the overall decor to make the house winter-ready. Bright hues, rich fabrics, interesting seating arrangement and so on — winter gives you a scope to do a lot with your furniture and furnishing and bring in some warmth.
City-based interior designer Sugandha Pathak believes that without burning a hole in your pocket, you can actually bring in some winter vibes and make your house look beautiful in the season. “Small changes like going in for colours that will uplift your mood, opting for rich fabrics as curtains, pillow cases etc, bringing home some seasonal flowers, scented candles and colourful rugs will certainly uplift the look of your home this season,” she suggests.
Go bright and bold
Talking about the colours that you can incorporate in the winters to add some charm to your decor and beat winter blues, Pathaks advises, “Give your white and boring walls a quick makeover by painting them in colour schemes like light green, bright blue, light yellow, baby pink, silver and so on. However, if you have just got your house painted and cannot spend on paints, a great way to add some hues is to go for decals in bright colours. Apart from that, a nice painting or a collage of bright photographs or a statement clock will do wonders.”
Bright curtains in rich fabrics like silk, polyesters, knitted materials, etc work best when it comes to draping your windows and doors and preventing chilly winds from entering your house. “There comes a time when we are bored with our cushions and pillows. Winter is the time to replace the cushion covers and pillow cases. Go for earthy tones with interesting patterns, colours and designs, and infuse a new life to your couch and beds. Choose accent pillows in colours and patterns that match your existing decor to ensure you don’t have to make any more decor adjustments,” she says, further adding that winter is the time to choose chic fabric. “You should always have different sets of drapes, curtains and pillow covers for winters. Go for thick draperies which add both volume and colour to your rooms. You can always use cotton and sheer fabrics in summers,” Pathak says.
Too much to do
For Kolkata-based interior designer Sumita Pal, winter means a time for celebration. Holidays and Christmas giving her more opportunity to dress up and dress her home, she leaves no stone unturned to turn her house and those of her clients too, into a festive place. “How can one not think of Christmas when doing up a house during winter? With all other things, ensure that you infuse elements of Christmas in your decor too. While in India, we do not go overboard with the Christmas theme, some greens and reds and a few wreaths will surely cheer you up,” Pal insists.
She shares some winter decor ideas which will both beautify your house and keep it warm:
Seating arrangement
Winter is all about adding extra clothes and layers and it shouldn’t be different for your chairs and couches. Whether it is your dining chairs, your sofa sets or couches, you can always layer them with pretty covers and slipcovers to make them look more attractive and cosy.
Rugs
Rugs and winter decor go hand-in-hand. Warm and cosy rugs are a blessing in the cold winter months. Whether it is the bedroom or your living area, a fluffy rug will add a lot of warmth, texture and sophistication to your winter decor.
Winter plants
One of the greatest ways to adorn you house this winter is to add some greens and flowers. If you have some vases lying around, put them to use. Put some lavenders, roses, orchids and petunias to add colour and fragrance. Indoor plants are great options too — most of them don’t need lots of light and water, so you don’t need to worry a lot. Aloe vera is one of the easy indoor winter plants. Also known as a closet plant, Peace Lily is a popular choice for office and homes. It also improves the air quality and is one of the easiest indoor winter plants to care for. Bromeliad adds a colourful touch to your home.
Candles
Scented candles in different colours are a must have for winter. They add a touch of romance and warmth to your house.
