Designs by Designs by D
As the norms of the holidays shift during these unprecedented times, we’re all searching for ways to create a home environment that feels inviting, cozy, and comfortable. And now, with shorter daylight hours and extended isolation ahead during the upcoming cold months, it’s more important than ever to find elements to make the holidays last all winter long.
Wondering how to create a cozy winter home that feels timeless and full of holiday cheer? Well, you’re in luck. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite solutions and we guarantee that alone or layered together, you’re sure to have a home that’s filled to the brim with holiday (and winter) cheer.
Soft and Cozy Textiles
A quick look around any Minnesota home will tell you immediately what season it is. In summer, lake life rules and everything from towels to flip flops and fishing gear can be found at the ready in mudrooms and on the back deck. But in winter? Well, this season is all about embracing the soft and cozy elements of layered textiles. To give your space an immediate sense of warmth, turn to thick and luxurious fabrics and materials and pepper them throughout each room. Mohair ottomans, thick knit throws, layers of patterned throw pillows, and more create a space that makes staying inside for months at a time quite an alluring idea.
Designs by Designs by D
Designs by Designs by D
Plush Rugs & Carpeting
Of course, with the cold of this season comes cold floors (unless you have heated floors, but that’s a story for another time!). During the winter it’s essential to pair your hardwood or tiled floors with an infusion of ultra-plush area rugs and intentionally-placed carpeting to ensure your feet stay cozy and comfortable. But before you think all carpeting is a 90s-style nightmare, know that these days there are endless styles and materials to choose from that are sure to elevate your space in a heartbeat. From bold and colorful patterns to subtle stripes and stair runners, a few soft underfoot rugs and carpets are sure to both up your style game and feel functional to the core.
Designs by Designs by D
Designs by Designs by D
Candles & Lighting
Shorter daylight hours means there is definitely a need for good winter lighting indoors, and creating a cozy and welcoming atmosphere isn’t possible without it. The key to making lighting work for your winter home, though, is to embrace layers. A variety of overhead lighting - be it pendants, chandeliers, or recessed lighting - helps to illuminate a room from corner to corner, while a combination of under-cabinet lighting, lamps, and wall sconces offers a softer glow and more focused reading lighting to complete the space. And for the final touch? Adding a few candles here and there is sure to give off a flicker of coziness that can’t be denied. Paired with a roaring fire, you’re bound to love the winter, no matter how much time you have to spend indoors.
Designs by Designs by D
Designs by Designs by D
Calming Color Palettes
One of the best ways to achieve a subtle, but powerful, statement of coziness in a winter home is to turn to calming color palettes. And while bold and ultra-saturated colors can work in a space (and bring a vibrancy that is unmatched), sometimes sticking to more traditional neutrals and softer hues is the way to go for a sense of contentment in your space. If you’re looking for calm in these trying times, try turning to warm greys, soft whites and creams, and the occasional infusion of muted color accents (think a deep navy blue, soft pink, or sage green, to name a few). Not only does the color combination feel naturally relaxing, but it’s also inherently classic, so it isn’t likely to go out of style anytime soon.
Designs by Designs by D
Designs by Designs by D
What do you turn to for coziness this time of year? Are you the Christmas-everything type of person with little snow globe villages and greenery on every surface? Or do you opt for more winter-friendly decorations to give the entire season an infusion of light and cheer? Whatever your style, we hope that this winter you find an abundance of happiness and subtle cozy elements each and every day, no matter what is happening in the world around us.
By Megan Johansson, Contributor to Designs by D