I’m an interior expert – four ways to make your home feel cosier and warm this winter

DURING the wintertime, it’s common for our homes to feel colder when temperatures plummet and darker nights set in.

And it can be hard to warm up our houses when it feels dark and dreary everywhere else.

But our homes don’t have to match the bleak winter days ahead thanks to one expert’s top tips.

One interior professional has shared four ways that we can add subtle touches to our home to make it feel warmer this winter.

Lucy Steele, Paint and Interiors Expert at Valspar Paint said these simple changes easily bring warmth into our spaces.

And it can also make the place feel cosier and cheerier when it’s dull and drab outside.

1. Lighting is key

According to Lucy, lighting is key to creating a cosy atmosphere during the winter and her layering technique will quickly make the home feel warm.

She explained: “Lighting is key during the winter months.

“Choose lightbulbs with warm colours instead of cool white bulbs.

“This will create warmth in a space and a calming atmosphere.

“The perfect way to introduce more light into the home during the winter is to layer your lighting.

“Whether it’s fairy lights, wall and floor lamps, tableside lamps or candles, layering lighting helps to introduce more light into any space without creating a harsh or sterile interior.”

2. Multiple mirrors

Mirrors are hidden heroes when it comes to making your home feel warmer.

When placed in the right areas in a room, they can make the space feel light and bright with little effort.

Lucy says: “Mirrors have the ability to transform a space in more ways than one.

“When it comes to making your room feel warmer this winter then mirrors are a great attribute to any space, as when placed correctly, can make a space feel light, brighter and warmer.

“Strategically place mirrors of all shapes and sizes based on where you need some extra light, rather than just where you want to put a mirror.”

3. Soft furnishings

Another way to make your home feel warm and cosy is by adding soft furnishings, Lucy explains.

This doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated – small touches like adding blankets or rugs are simple ways that can have a massive impact.

She suggests: “Soft furnishings, such as blankets, curtains, cushions and rugs are a great way to make a space feel warmer, and it doesn’t have to be an expensive or drastic change to your interiors either.

“When choosing the colour of your soft furnishing, such as rugs, blankets or cushions, it’s important to incorporate warmer hues, such as orange and reds, as it will help to give a sense of warmth and calm to the room.

“If you have a feature wall or accent colour in your walls you can help bring this to life with soft furnishings in complementary shades.

“One of our favourite combinations at this time of year is a hot orange paint colour complemented with curtains and cushions in brown and cream tones, as it adds a luxe but warm feel.

“When looking at curtains, it’s important to choose thicker curtains in the winter, as this will help to insulate the room, thicker curtains prevent any cold air coming into the space and trap the warmth in – making a more practical impact, when it comes to heating a room.”

4. Add some warmer colours

You might not realise it, but the colours of a room in the house can have a huge impact on if it feels warm or cold.

So Lucy explains that adding warmer colours will instantly make a difference to your home.

She said: “Not only does colour have a huge impact on how we feel, but it also has the ability to make a space feel warmer.

“During the winter months, try incorporating warmer colours, such as orange, red and yellow into your interior space.

“Whether it’s painting a whole room, or just incorporating the colour through small snippets of paint, such as painting furniture, it will help to make the overall space feel cosier this winter.

“If you’re picking a whiter or neutral colour opt for a warm-toned hue with red or pink as the base.“