Winter may be here, but that does not mean it’s time to hibernate. The days are shorter and the nights are cooler, and now is the time to bring a little warmth into your life and home. If winter days are getting you down, adding blankets, throws and rugs can help bring warmth to your home. Likewise, don’t underestimate the power of changing your lighting to improve the mood in your home. We have some simple tips and tricks to help you keep your home feeling warm, bright, and cheerful until Spring arrives!
6 Tips for adding warmth to a room
Switch it up with dimmer switches
Adding a dimmer switch in your home is the quickest way to add visual warmth in a room. Once installed, you simply adjust it to dim the lights and enjoy a cosy vibe. You can pick up a dimmer at your local Bunnings store and have an electrician install it. Consider using a plug-in dimmer. It allows you to control any table or floor lamp with an incandescent or halogen bulb. With just a flick of a switch, you can see your space shift from bright and functional to comfy and mellow. Check your existing lighting is suitable for dimming before you get started.
Let there be light.
Take advantage of the natural light available by using sheers on windows and hanging mirrors on walls. By using sheers, you can increase the amount of light coming into a room without necessarily compromising your privacy. Sheer curtains also allow you to choose to keep the heavy curtains or shutters open until nightfall. Hang a mirror on a wall opposite to a large window, to maximise the sunlight flooding into a room.
Go for additional and varied light fixtures.
You’ll want to increase your overall illumination to make up for the lost daylight during Winter. Unflattering fluorescent lighting is too “cool” and won’t give you the “warmth” you need. Consider investing in some additional light fixtures to dramatically change the mood of your living room. Add some table and floor lamps, choose different shades, colours, and textures to create the perfect layered lighting effect. You can even add task-specific lamps to create a cosy reading nook.
Go Glow Power by lighting some candles.
Candles add a bit of magic wherever you put them. There’s just this old-school charm that you can only get by lighting candles. They’re so portable and easy to move around so you can get that warm shimmer and intimate ambiance anywhere. Light candles before visitors drop by to create an inviting setting. The gorgeous fragrance helps to make your home smell great too. You can also make a feature of your candles by putting them on a wooden tray or use a candelabra for a table centre piece. Candles in your guest bathroom are the perfect way to add warmth when you’re entertaining in the evening.
Pop some copper fittings in your decor.
Copper has a warm colour and will not only create a homely atmosphere in your home but also modernise it. With its relaxing orange glow, copper fittings are the perfect addition to bring more warmth in the cold season.
Warm White Bulbs
You’ll want to switch to warmer white bulbs in the winter to create that warm, friendly atmosphere. Cool lighting is perfect in the summer, but when it’s cold outside, you’ll want to make sure that you have a warmer light to help you relax, unwind, and feel comfortable.
Designer Advice
In a renovation or new build, the lighting will be one of last jobs to be completed and no doubt you’ll be tiring of the endless list of decisions that are required during this process. Our advice is to take the time to consider the impact of lighting in your space. Incorporating the right light sources into your home will make all the difference to your interior space. This planning needs to happen early on so your builder can allow for any special lighting considerations at the rough in stage.
Remember, the careful considerations undertaken when choosing lighting will accentuate your home’s beautiful features, by highlighting them and making them look as perfect as was your intention.
Getting Ready for a New Design or Renovation Project?
A new home design or renovation is not something you do on a whim, it requires planning.
Whether you are renovating a bedroom or a whole house there’s a few essential steps that will help as you embark on this exciting and sometimes daunting journey.
My 6 Top Tips for Planning Your Home Renovation
- Do your Homework & Define your Scope
- Know your Budget
- Know your Limitations
- Hire Experts
- Have a Plan Open & Honest Communication
- Resources to Help You Get Started
Want to know more about working with Bella Vie Interiors? Check out our FAQ’s.
Need More Information?
If you have any questions or would like help with your building or renovation projects, feel free to contact us for a no obligation discussion.
We help busy families and individuals achieve their ideal version of luxury living, blending it seamlessly with practicality to suit their lifestyle perfectly.
If you are building or renovating, we’d love to hear from you to discuss creating a beautiful interior that fits your dream of luxury living.
