Tips to Help Warm Up your Decor

February 19, 2019

When it comes to taking on the cold during the first few months of the year, nothing beats a well-functioning heating system that adapts to Mother Nature’s mood swings. But decorating can also be a great way to keep your home feeling cozy!

Here are a few tips for adding extra warmth to your home using accessories, colour, and small touches that can make all the difference.

Choose warmer hues

You may or may not already be familiar with the distinction between warm and cool colours. To start, it’s good to know that hues like red, orange, yellow, and beige are on the warm side of the chromatic circle.

If you’re thinking of repainting some of the rooms in your home, consider dipping your paintbrushes in warmer hues to colour your walls. There are several shades (from very light to very dark) that fall within the warm colour spectrum. You can paint each wall a different colour if you like, and there’s no need to stick to a single hue for an entire room, either.

However, if you’ve just repainted your walls and buying new paint is out of the question, you can simply opt for accessories or furniture in warm colours to help make your décor Ultra-comfortable.

Wrap yourself in warmth

What could be cozier than settling down on the couch after a long day of work and sinking into a pile of soft cushions and throws? It’s hard to imagine anything more heavenly!

To help make the different rooms in your home feel warmer and more welcoming, add soft, plush accessories with pleasant textures, and don’t be stingy when it comes to quantity.

Let there be light!

Whether with natural light or different types of electrical lighting, do your best to brighten up your environment.

For example, don’t forget to open the curtains when there is natural light in the room and let the sunlight into your home.

Because the days are shorter in winter, you can’t only count on natural light to keep your home bright. When buying bulbs for your lamps and light fixtures, choose options that emit a yellowish light, rather than white as the latter could give your room a cooler feel.

And for those who prefer more traditional lighting methods, make sure you have plenty of candles (why not scented ones?) on hand to create a more intimate and warm ambiance. You may also want to look into options for gas fireplaces that give off warmth and create a beautiful focus point in any room.

Don’t neglect your feet

It’s often our extremities that get the coldest. Our hands are constantly moving around, and often don’t spend extended periods of time touching cold surfaces, therefore, they don’t tend to get as cold our feet.

However, not everyone is a fan of wearing slippers to keep warm. An alternative: adding rugs to strategic areas of your home. For example, you could place one next to your bed to make getting up in the morning a little more enjoyable. This way, no one can ever accuse you of starting off the day on the wrong foot!

Add rugs in the rooms you use most often. Consider the living room, entrances, and bathrooms. Then, simply select rugs in the thickness and colour of your choice!

Add a touch of creativity to your walls

Now that you’ve figured out which paint to use on your walls, it’s time to think about how to decorate them. Livening up a room with frames, shelves, and other objects that reflect you is important when it comes to making it feel warm and welcoming.

You can give each room a theme, or simply hang up photos of your friends and family. Just make sure not to add so many decorations that it ends up feeling crowded!

What about your heating system?

The long winter months are also a good time to evaluate your heating system’s performance. Compare its functionality to the beginning of the winter season. For example, has your furnace been taking longer to heat your home?

As winter winds down, list all the points that are important to check with a professional such as:

• Are there any leaks or fluid accumulation?

• Do you see signs of rust on your equipment?

• Have you noticed any corrosion around your venting?

• Are you hearing unusual noises such as fan or motor buzzing?

• Is your furnace running excessively?

A warm décor and efficient heating system are the best combination for staying nice and comfy all year round.