With winter drawing in and temperatures plunging, gone are the days of bare legs, endless sunshine andbarbecues in the garden. We’ve officially entered hibernation season, where there’s nothing more appealing than wrapping up warm, drinking countless mugs of hot chocolate, and spending evenings curled up in the comfort of your own home. It’s a time when staying in beats nights on the town, and your local take away is on speed dial; so ensuring your home makes you feel ‘snug as a bug in a rug’ is a must.
It’s easy to think that cosiness begins and ends in the living room, but retiring to the bedroom is becoming more and more popular, with one obvious draw; bed. Here’s my list of musts for creating a warm and cosy bedroom:
- First and foremost, it’s important to decide on a theme. Making a decision on this and sticking to it, avoids your space becoming cluttered and jumble-sale-esque. That said, if you are into trinkets, perhaps a Moroccan cove theme is the way to go…
- For those of you with a large space, warm hues and tones are always a great way to make the room feel more inviting and intimate. Steer clear of bold warm colours though, as they can stimulate rather than relax.
- If you’re into cool shades, neutral tones and a more minimalist feel, it’s hard to move past the classic white-wash wall look. While fresh and clean during the day time, by evening this style can feel a little cold and sparse, which is when adding a dash of a more dominant colour in soft furnishings can make all the difference.
- You can never have too many blankets and throws. Layering items on your bed, chair or in a basket by your wardrobe is a wonderful way of creating the illusion of warmth.
- Cushions too are becoming a must-have bedroom item in the quest to create the perfect bedroom space. Experimenting with different textures, patterns and sizes to build up a wall of cushions around your headboard is about the most inviting thing you can do. It’s also a simple and effective way of adding some colour to a more simplistic themed room.
- There’s something incredibly therapeutic about drawing the curtains at the end of a long day – not only are you shutting out the world and entering your space of calm, but you’re also literally shutting out the cold. One of my top tips for making a space feel warm and cosyis investing in black-out curtains and enjoying the immediate intimacy they create.
- Once you’ve blocked out the outside world and any glaring lights, it’s time to invest in lighting. Lamps come in all shapes and sizes and are paramount to creating the illusion of warmth in your room, but also build the perfect ambiance to wind down. Aim to buy several lamps of different shapes and sizes that can be positioned in various spaces around the room – oh! and ensure the bulb wattage isn’t too bright.
- Candles, candles, candles. If you ask me, candles should be bought by the bucket load. Take some time to think about the scent they provide too as finding one that works for you can not only improve your mood, but also the quality of your sleep.
- Whether you’re a wooden floor enthusiast or prefer thick, bouncy carpets, it’s always smart to invest in a rug. My personal preference is something quite thick and soft – it adds a new texture to the floor space without taking up room and is always a treat for the feet!
- Last but not least is… your bed. There’s no point investing in endless cushions and throws, candles and curtains, if your bed or bedding isn’t up to scratch. Finding the right bed, mattress, duvet thickness, pillow firmness and luscious fabric should always remain top of the list; and Divan Beds Centre is an excellent place to start. Once you’ve found the bed for you, it’s time to pick your bedding – why not opt for something rich and wholesome with rich colours and stunning gold trimmings.
If cosy is what you’re after, no matter your style or budget, follow these simple suggestions to create your own piece of heaven this winter.
