Jane Lockhart is an award-winning designer, TV personality and author. She is also the principal designer of the Toronto firm she founded in 1997, Jane Lockhart Interior Design.
While the cooler weather sets in and outdoor socializing time wanes, it’s time to turn our attention to the great indoors. Here are some tips on how to prepare our homes for the cooler days ahead to prevent boredom and embrace cosy!
1. Texture adds comfort. Add some faux fur throws or pillows to your living room. You can find a great variety in both natural and bright colours. Natural colours are soothing and calming, while bright colours inject fun and energy to your space.
2. Add area carpets in places you wouldn’t expect like in the kitchen to make it more warm and inviting. We spend a lot of time in there so opt for rugs that can handle all that wear and tear. Natural, hand woven rugs are a good option, but a more budget-friendly alternative is a synthetic rug. You can also bring your outdoor area rug indoors. The colour and designs have really come a long way and you can get multi-season use out of one purchase.
3. Add hidden or soft lighting throughout the home. Days get shorter and rooms start to feel darker and longer. Consider upgrading to dimmer switches to give you control over your lighting. I like to hide small LED spotlights in corners, behind furniture or plants and add light to the walls. If you have a bigger budget, under cabinet lighting or stair lights add a lot of warmth and provide added safety on dark days.
4. Texture on walls is surprisingly in again. Today’s wallpaper is easier than ever to install and remove. You can also find a great selection of textures, patterns and colours. Because it’s easier to remove you can change it up more often. If you’re nervous about the outcome, just start by adding it to one wall. If you’re ready for an all-over treatment, base your selection on texture, rather than pattern, in a neutral colour. The added texture will instantly warm up your room.
5. Every home needs at least one snuggly piece of furniture. You know the kind — a deep chair that invites you to curl up with your feet under you. A faux shearling chair from Structube costs less than $400 and offers the same comfort as the real thing.
6. I’m a big fan of art. I never get bored of it because I’m constantly rehanging the pieces I have in different rooms. You’d be surprised how much a room can change by replacing art with what you already own as the season or your mood changes.
7. Want warmth on demand? Add a wall-mounted electric fireplace. They are more affordable and can be placed in lots of locations as long as there is a wall and an electrical outlet!
8. Buy a fish! Watching them swim about can be relaxing. If that’s not your thing, try a lava lamp. Yes, they’re back! The constant movement is enjoyable and soothing.
9. Finally, think about sound. Add a home sound system to your space like Sonos. This allows you to play your favourite music in high quality sound throughout the house and can set the tone for a lovely, cosy evening.
We all need to feel comfortable when we’re home so fill your home with things you love and add layers of texture to make this your cosiest season, yet.
