Warm up your bedroom for cosy nights in
When the winter chill has you reaching for your hottie and slippers, a relaxing, well-decorated bedroom is a welcome retreat.
Here are some of my top tips to help you transform your bedroom into a cosy and relaxing space as we brace ourselves for Winter.
1. USE ALL NATURAL BEDDING MATERIALS
There’s something so appealing about bedding made from quality natural materials, that can’t be replicated. A soft feather or wool duvet inner, 100% cotton (or brushed cotton) sheets, a quality mattress and topper create a really inviting space to retreat to at the end of a busy day. It’s the calming effect of being enveloped in natural fibres, and what’s more - they’re breathable.
Synthetic materials just don’t come close when it comes to creating a welcoming and soulful bedroom. Microfibre (regardless of softness) puts my teeth on edge - it can also create static build up, and doesn’t breathe like cotton, which means perspiration build up.
If you don’t already, investing in quality natural materials (especially sheets, duvet, and duvet cover) is well worth doing. You will feel the difference, and your bedroom will feel instantly more luxurious.
As an aside, I also often recommend using an over sized duvet on a bed to give a fuller more luxurious look. This will change how your bedroom feels regardless of season, so consider investing in a King sized duvet and inner for a Queen bed. Just lovely!
2. Add Darker bedding and cushions with texture
Coming into Winter, a bedroom that felt cool and fresh in the Summer will all of a sudden start to feel uncomfortably cold “visually”.
Darker tones give us a greater sense of cosiness than lighter colours do, since they visually close the space in and make it feel cosier as a result. When considering cushions, opt for textured or patterned fabrics in warmer colours, and swap out any cool coloured cushions or those with a lot of sheen. Depending on your cushion selection, it can be possible to successfully combine these shinier textures, with other cushions for Winter - as long as the overall feeling is one of warmth and depth. It’s not a matter of throwing out and replacing, but swapping out for a season, and changing back when Summer comes around again. See if you can choose cushions you love, and that work with what you have - not just ones that “will do” for the season.
A darker duvet cover is an easy way to add more cosiness to a bedroom, but if you prefer lighter colours, then a white duvet with texture, piled will warm cushions and a snugly throw will also feel cosy. It all depends on your style preferences, and the look you’re wanting to create.
A textured woolen throw on the end of the bed will add visual cosiness by layering, as well as giving you extra warmth when needed on freezing cold nights. It is not as critical to purchase a throw in natural fibres since you’re not sleeping in it, but do be mindful of the quality - every piece you add to your sanctuary affects the look and feel of the space.
3. Create cohesion of colour and style
What pieces of art do you have in your home that would work well displayed in your bedroom? Landscapes, abstracts, still life are good choices for bedrooms, but its a really personal choice. What pieces do you already have and love that you would be happy to display? You may want to let these pieces guide you in choosing colours to warm up your bedroom with. Finding colours and patterns in cushions that sit well alongside the art you have selected will help create a good sense of cohesion, and create a clear design direction for your bedroom. To achieve a relaxing and soulful space, your space should hang together well (pun intended!). By considering how all your pieces fit together, but in a way that isn’t matchy matchy or contrived, you will start to create a space that feels soulful, and more authentically you.
4. Choose a versatile wall colour that spans the seasons
A good choice for a bedroom wall colour, is one that will work well throughout the year, and be neutral enough to be able to change the look and feel when you want to, without needing to repaint. When I renovated my home recently, I debated for some time over the colour of my bedroom, and landed on a soft, warm blue (Resene Haven) which I really love. I have managed to create two very different looks for Winter, and Summer that sit well against this colour - because I made sure that all my favourite colours went with this particular blue (pinks, greens, mauve, grey etc), where as pink (a colour that warranted “brief” consideration), would have been too limiting when I wanted to change.
If you prefer neutral colours, then I would recommend selecting a colour that is deep enough not to feel too cold in the winter.
5. Introduce Soft LIGHTING, CANDLES AND FRAGRANCE
Soft lighting in the bedroom creates a cosy sanctuary to relax and wind down in as we prepare for sleep. Bedside tables and lamps at a suitable height to read by are an obvious addition to any bedroom. Consider having an alternative light source such as a Himalayan salt lamp which is a safe way to provide additional soft lighting and ambiance. The most comfortable ambient lighting is a warm toned light, but if you do a lot of reading in bed, then cooler task light may be more practical.
A soothing bedroom fragrance is special addition to your bedroom which helps soothe and ease away stress. Linen sprays for bedding, or simply an oil burner or scented candles will give you a bedtime space to be savoured (oh and personally I can’t wind down properly until I’ve had my sleepy tea). Bedtime rituals are so important for ensuring we sleep well and wake ready to take on the next day with vigor!
Live life beautifully.