Turning up the Heat on Home Décor for Autumn
Wherever you live in this great country, there’s a change in the air with the middle months of the year. It’s colder, wetter and oval ball games mean the scarves and beanies come out. Jeans, jumpers and deeper colours take over from the pastels, bright and floral patterns of the warmer months.
Changing things up in the lounge as you dig out your winter clothes not only helps you to feel more at home but it’s also an expression of who you are.
There are some simple things you can do to transform your home from bright and light to warm and wintry, starting with accents, moving through to how you light your home and finally the scents you use to complete an ambience that transforms a home into a haven.
A few key pieces in each room can transform your home from lazy summer days to toasty autumn evenings and will give you a lift as instant as a wardrobe change. We have some suggestions for each room that will help you raise the heat.
Bedrooms
- Use heavier weighted linens in charcoal and chocolate, accenting with white for a crisp tailored look if you like your linens plain, then accent with darker pillows and throws
- Invest in a red angora throw or cushions in a luxurious deep navy velvet and contrast with putty or aqua for a mid-century feel
Living Rooms
- Add a deep pile black sheepskin throwover and the occasional chair for deeply comforting textural appeal
- Make a dinning room cosier by adding a Persian rug under the table that keeps feet warm and draws people to the table
Kitchen
- Use seasonal produce to decorate with heavy bowls of oranges, mandarins and whole nuts displayed on your benches, keeping a nutcracker on hand for the hungry looking for a workout
- Invest in comforting soup bowls that look as hearty as their contents
Bathrooms
- Change over your towels to a plusher texture that warms hands as they dried
- Add a winter plant to maintain freshness during the day
Saturate the Senses
The flicker of candlelight adds a touch of magic and warmth to a room, especially in the early hours of the morning or evening. Candles are also a deep, yet subtle source of scent that instantly identifies the mood of a room. For the cooler months, masculine woody scents accentuate rich textures and warmth, whilst others provide a counterpoint that whisper clean, harmonious, comfortable and balanced. Try sandalwood, cedar wood, oak moss, tonka bean, star anise and amber noir.
Your True Colours
Take some time to consider your “cooler months” personality. If you love black, go all out – it’s the time of year to do it. If you do follow an oval ball sport, why not make your team the focal point and accent your home in team colours? The changes could be as subtle as accent cushions in your team colours or a rug that features one or two of your team colours.
The trick is to love what you’re creating. Making your home an expression of who you are will always survive a trend, just as a great bag or a perfectly fitting pair of jeans will never go out of style.