We’ve finally seen the back of an endless sweltering summer, and winter is just around the corner. What will you do to restyle your cool summer lounge room into a cosy winter space? Read on for my tips for a lounge room you won’t want to leave.
Texture, texture, texture!
Nothing is more inviting than a lounge with a snuggly throw on it. Knit throws are my go-to at the moment, but there are some amazing sleek velvet or faux-fur options (make sure you check out the quality though, you don’t want to resemble a yeti by the end of the movie!). Without fail, a textural throw will lure you in to touch it, and before you know it, you’re unable to leave the lounge. The other textures that are hot at the moment are leather and hide. Find them in furniture (check out a stunning leather occasional chair I have for sale!), cushions, and rugs (Art Hide is definitely worth a look!). Leather and hide bring a warmth and earthiness to a space.
Switch out your Cushions
Summery colours tend to be cool and bright, but wintery ones tend to be a little more subdued with somewhat warmer tones (think blush pinks and eucalyptus greens). If you don’t want to go towards the muted colour palette, try some of the jewel tones which are on-trend at the moment – sapphire blue, emerald green, amethyst purple. Or maybe inject some natural colour and texture with a buttery leather or knot knit cushion. Make sure you consider the overall colour palette of your space. You don’t want to find some gorgeous new cushions, then realise your art looks terrible with them.
Fire!
Nothing beats gazing into an open fire on a chilly night, but what if you don’t have a fireplace? Putting one in might be impractical, or a little out of budget, but think about lighting a few candles. They give a beautiful soft light, can be placed around the room, or clustered for dramatic impact, and you can find some of the most delicious scented varieties. Make sure you have something to protect the surface you’re placing them on.
Add Some Greenery
The great outdoors isn’t quite so intensely green over the winter months, so why not bring some vibrancy from the outside in? A couple of shade-tolerant plants in beautiful pots inject a bit of colour and life into any room. Of course, plants are great for improving the air quality of our homes as well. If your green thumb isn’t reliable, try Zanzibar Gem or Devil’s Ivy – they’re almost indestructible. Challenge accepted!
Warm Your Feet
It might seem obvious, but adding a rug to your floor not only warms your tootsies, but the right one can look fabulous, and define your space. After a long, hot Aussie summer, we tend to overlook the impact of tile and timber floors when the weather cools. And don’t get me started on slate! (To read more on how to deal with slate flooring, check out this blog post.) When choosing a rug, make sure it’s the right size for the space, and check out the cleaning requirements – that awesome bottle of red on your stunning new rug may not be the look you were going for!
Want some help to get a designer look for your lounge room this winter?