Lifestyle / Warm Up Your Living Space

Warm Up Your Living Space

Lifestyle Jan 07, 2015

by Farah Khan

Décor Tips For A Warm, Inviting Home Space

Freezing temperatures, piles of snow, traffic jams, accidents and more piles of snow — this is what we imagine when we think of winter. This is what we go out to face every morning. Long gone are the beloved “snow days” of our childhoods, the hot chocolates and warm cookies.

This winter, recreate those magical moments with these home décor tips. Make your home a warm, cozy and welcoming retreat where you can kick off your heels and forget about the weather troubles brewing outside.

Fragrances

With today’s long work hours and commute, who has time to bake cookies to create an atmosphere of warmth and welcome (and to eat, of course)? The solution: home scents! With a variety of brands offering a myriad of fragrances, you can mix and match to create a cozy feeling for yourself. A vanilla- or cinnamon-scented candle will go a long way, and you can't go wrong with candles that smell like marshmallows and a fireplace! And then there is the ultimate aroma of homemade cookies. For a twist, why not buy Hawaiian or tropical scents? Make yourself a cocktail and imagine yourself in the sun, on the beach.

Fur Slippers

Certain body parts get little to no attention during winter — feet, for example. We walk around barefoot in thick sweaters. Give your dry, cracked feet some much-needed loving. Moisturize and put on a pair of fluffy, thick slippers. Make it a staple for your winter. How about pretty pink ones for the ladies and the new Homer Simpson slippers for the gents? Keep a couple of extras for guests as a nice surprise.

Shag Rug

This one is a no-brainer. Your home is not winter-proof until you have a thick shag rug you can rest your feet on while watching TV. Or just lie down on it in front of the fireplace and let the thick carpet do its thing. Walmart provides cost-efficient and effective shag carpets. Shop away!

Towel Warmer

Not everyone knows this is even a thing. A bit on the pricey side (average $300), it looks like a small fridge and essentially warms up your towel as you bathe. No matter how hot the shower, we step out to face the nasty cold. A warm towel is just the thing to up the snug factor.

Flannel Sheets

Does your blanket refuse to keep you warm throughout the night? Chances are, you're sleeping on the wrong kind of sheets. Replace the sexy silks with warm flannels. Flannel pyjamas on flannel sheets are a win-win for the long, cold winter nights.

Changes In Décor

Willing to spend a little extra to create the ultimate welcome refuge inside your home? If you are happy going the extra mile, change the colours in your room to create the illusion of warmth. Think reds, yellows and oranges. A muted yellow wall will evoke the feeling of heat in the room, whereas orange décor will feel energetic and festive. Put a red or maroon accent chair across from the fireplace. The rich shade will enhance the radiating heat. Replace your light and breezy curtains with heavy golden drapery. Not only will they block cold filtering through the glass windows, but the colour and weight of the fabric will also accentuate the fireplace, creating the illusion of heat.

If this feels like too much work, smaller changes in décor can help you achieve a warm energy. Think orange and red cushions and pillow cases. Think sunflowers in a vase. Change your lighting. What do fluorescent lights remind you of? Cold, sterilized hospital hallways. Replace them with yellow bulbs for a wash of “sunlight.”

Do you have any tips and tricks you use every year to winter-proof your home? If so, feel free to share your comments below!

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1st Image: bathandbodyworks.com

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Farah Khan

Author

Farah joined ANOKHI LIFE while finishing up her degree in English Literature and Writing at the University of Toronto. Her position since then has expanded across all departments, everything from office administration and corporate affairs, to ANOKHI's online presence and events. . .

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