Creating a cosy atmosphere for the winter

Choosing your favourite hot drink, a comfy chair, a book or watching a television programme is an excellent way to forget the chaos of the day and let your body unwind. Even better is the feeling of relaxing in a cosy, comfortable space, which is welcoming and warming especially in the winter months.

Creating a cosy atmosphere will mean different things for each individual but most importantly the space you create must be perfect for you and not just what is the latest trends in soft furnishings and home décor. Whether you own a new home, have a period home with character or have just had new windows fitted, creating a cosy atmosphere to relax and unwind in with family and friends will help the long winter nights and months to pass by a lot easier. Below you will find ideas to help you create that perfect snug space.

Stop those draughts
The first step to a cosy atmosphere is creating a warm room space. New windows will, of course, help to enhance the warmth in a room but by adding draught excluders to doors, large rugs to wooden floors and window dressings such as lined curtains will help to trap even more heat into a space. Think about the materials you choose, velvet curtains create a luxurious feel and if lined, the heavier fabric along with the lining will really reduce any draughts.

Have a change
Changing the way your room is used may help to enhance the warmth in the space. Look around your room and check that furniture sits in the best location for allowing the warmth from radiators to circulate the room. If sofas, chairs or large pieces of furniture occupy the space in front of the heat source then these will absorb the warmth rather than allowing it to pass into the space.

Add in textures
Creating a cosy atmosphere doesn’t have to be overly expensive but adding in textures that evoke the senses such as tactile qualities will enhance that snug, warm feeling. Think faux fur, fleece, wool, sheepskins, velvet and plush synthetic fabrics. Knitted textures add an instant feeling of warmth and paired along with faux fur and sheepskins creates a very natural cosy environment.

Choosing a tactile rug with a thick pile will not only look cosy but it will also increase the warmth in a room. Think natural materials such as wool to really add a warming underfoot experience.

As mentioned earlier creating a new atmosphere doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune, think about the colours and textures that already adorn your space. Maybe a couple of new cushion covers that you can swop over with current ones and a winter throw for the sofa is all that is required.

Think about the colour
Colour has a big impact on our mood and feelings so adding warmth to a room may be achieved through choosing selected colours that make you feel warm and relaxed.

Just the right amount of light
Lighting really is a great way to enhance the feeling of warmth in a room. Soft subtle light from table lamps or standard lamps will add a warm glow to a room enhancing the textures and colour you choose. You can even enhance the feeling of cosiness by choosing interesting lamp shades in both varying colours and textures.

Adding candlelight or lighting the fire in a room if you have one is an instant answer to enhancing that warm and cosy feeling. Candles immediately give us that warm a fussy feeling and even better the soft subtle glow will offer up a cosy atmosphere in an instant. (Always ensure candles and fires are safe and out of reach of children).

Family and friends
Whatever décor changes or enhancements you choose one of the nicest ways to make a room feel cosy is by sharing special moments with loved ones in it. Whether it be steaming hot chocolate drinks warming you through after a long winters walk, seeing children’s excitement on Christmas day or sharing special family celebrations together, the feelings of warmth in a space will be created by the people who share the environment and not just by what cushion they are sat on. But it doesn’t harm to create a comfortable atmosphere for one and all to share and to look welcoming when all the guests leave.

Creating a cosy atmosphere should be personal and totally cosy for you, so go on snuggle down and enjoy the winter months feeling warm and relaxed.

Categories: Advice, Decorating Tips, Home Improvement