Nothing says cosy winter evenings like wrapping yourself in a cashmere blanket or lighting a rich, seasonal candle. Below, we've gathered together some of our favourite ways to get our homes looking sumptuous, warm and stylish as the nights begin to draw in. From small accessories to clever styling tips, decorating updates and the odd clever purchase, here's how we are preparing our homes for winter.
Introducing a new fabric doesn't just give your room an instant update; it can also help get your home feeling cosier during the colder months. For a really indulgent look, try bringing in a bit of velvet. These curtains from Anthropologie are elegant and wonderfully luxurious. Or, if you'd rather not redecorate to that extent, scatter some of their beautiful velvet ikat cushions across neutral sofas to warm them up.
Don't limit yourself when it comes to introducing some warmer tones and fabrics into your home. Coloured lampshades give a great and easy way to reinvent an otherwise more neutral interior. We love Pooky Lighting, where you can find great block printed shades in fabulous patterns and colours. Whether you go for seasonal, berry tones or something a little less colourful, use these shades to brighten and warm up any room.
When the days and nights start to cool down, you can make your bedroom cosier with the addition of brushed cotton or flannel sheets. The White Company's brushed cotton range is easy to look after, yet beautifully luxurious. And, inject some colour by throwing a contrasting cashmere rug over your bed, too.
If you don't want to change the fabrics in your home, try adding a pom pom or tasseled edge to your curtains, or give them new tie backs in a deep, rich, berry red. We love these from VV Rouleaux - the one-stop, cult shop for all things trimmings that ships globally.
Not all of us are lucky enough to have big, open fires to light, but with a bit of clever arrangement, candles can be used to give a similar effect. We like to light one of our large 4 wick candles on a mirrored tray, surrounded by some of our standard sized candles as well as some votives to give varying heights and kinds of candlelight, plus a lovely warm glow and ambience.
Berries aren't just for Christmas, they offer an easy way to bring a lovely, autumnal feel into your home at this time of year, too. Hypericum berries come in white and green as well as pink and dark red. Mix them in with simple white flowers to give your flower arrangements a new, seasonal feel.