6 Ways to Warm Up Your Home With Accessories
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6 Ways to Warm Up Your Home With Accessories
Outsmart Jack Frost with snuggly throws and rugs, glowing lights and pieces that gleam
I'm a Houzz Contributor, interior designer, and frequent writer for national... More
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Winter’s shorter days and colder nights mean the holidays are
nearly here, bringing friends and family together to fill our homes with
love and laughter. Whether you’re hosting out-of-town guests or just
curling up on the couch alone with a warm cup of tea, you can turn your
home into a warmer and more welcoming space to spend time in during this
chilly season. Layer your living spaces with textures, shine and
organic elements to create a cozier home this winter.
Living near the Northern
California coast, I don’t experience a winter with snow on the ground,
snowmen in the yard and icicles on the eaves. However, there’s a
crispness in the air and clear, starry skies that signal a distinct
change in seasons. It’s the perfect time for lighting fires in the
fireplace, hosting get-togethers or enjoying lazy weekends spent under
heaps of warm covers. These easy updates will help you spruce up your
home for the winter holidays and create a restful retreat from all the
chaos.
Add instant warmth. Drape
soft and luxurious throws on chairs, the sofa or the end of your bed
for easy access to extra warmth. Thick cable-knit throws are perfect for
wrapping around your shoulders while stargazing on the porch, and
faux-fur blankets add a sense of luxury to any living space. Fold or
roll up throws and place them in a large rattan basket within reach of
where you like to unwind. Buy a few extra during the holidays — they
make fantastic gifts when left wrapped up in the guest room for
visitors.
To Drape a Throw or Fold It?
To Drape a Throw or Fold It?
Light up the night. Candles
are an inexpensive way to add a sense of wintry romance. Group them
together in clear glass hurricanes or on crystal candleholders to allow
the glittering candlelight to reflect off the surface. Put large pillar
candles in oversize lanterns on the fireplace hearth or front porch to
welcome guests.
Tip: Set different-size candles on a large silver tray for the perfect centerpiece or scatter votives in unexpected places, like on the bathroom counter or an entry table.
Tip: Set different-size candles on a large silver tray for the perfect centerpiece or scatter votives in unexpected places, like on the bathroom counter or an entry table.
Go for luxury underfoot. Take your regular floor coverings to the cleaners and substitute a flokati or shag carpet for
the winter. The long fibers and fluffy texture will create a
supercomfortable place for your stockinged feet. Bright white flokatis
are gorgeous against dark wood flooring and are heavenly to sit on while
flipping through those holiday catalogs.
Tip: If you're not ready to
switch out all your rugs, try a smaller and budget-friendlier approach.
Layer small sheepskin rugs over dining chairs or occasional chairs for
added comfort and warmth.
Mix in metallics. Metallic decor radiates light and holiday cheer. Switch
out a few small pieces with silver or gold accents to add sparkle and
glamour. Place a gilded drink table next to your favorite chair or put a
gold-toned table lamp in place of your current one in the living room.
Stack small silver boxes on the mantel or on the coffee table for extra
shine.
Use winter whites. We often turn to white in summer, when it's hard to imagine being surrounded by anything else in the oppressive heat. But white can actually be warm
and wintery too. Set the perfect winter table by draping it first in a
crisp white sheet — you don’t need a fancy tablecloth to create a winter
wonderland. Layer a vintage lace tablecloth over the sheet; try an
ivory one for texture and depth. Use simple white or cream-colored linen
chair covers to give your dining room a laid-back luxe feel. Add a
metallic table runner, white plates, crystal candleholders and silver or
gold cutlery to complete the mood.
Tip: Simple
arrangements of branches in silver containers adorn any winter-time
table perfectly. Stark yet stunning, they add height, interest and
texture.
