Posted July 14 in Premium Suppliers

How to create a cosy home for winter

While Melbourne may be one of Australia’s most liveable cities, there’s no denying that when the temperatures drop the fun can stall thanks to the shorter days and cold snaps.

Because of significant leaps in modern technology and interior design psychology, there’s now a wealth of products, colours and styling tricks that can keep your abode feeling warm, cosy and fun-filled all year-round. Below, our experienced Interior Designers – Nikki Weedon, Annie McLachlan and Sarah Young – provide some top tips for creating a comforting home for the woolly winter months.

 

1. Consider timber flooring

There’s a reason you wear socks when the weather gets cold – your feet are often the first to feel winter’s bite! If creating a cosy home interior is a priority, timber flooring may be your best bet. And, with the introduction of high-quality timber laminate and engineered timber options, your floors don’t need to cost you a pretty penny to have impact.

‘Unlike tiles, timber flooring not only feels warmer underfoot, but its natural look can also make you feel warmer psychologically,’ explains Nikki.

‘Opt for timber-look products with a warm or yellow base, such as Brooklyn Mapleton or Spotted Gum. If you want some boujee underfloor heating, timber look tiles create a warm aesthetic as well as toasty toes. Win-Win!’

The introduction of luxurious, high-quality carpets to your bedrooms and theatre rooms can also add another layer of warmth. ‘Where possible, select 100 percent wool or wool-blend carpets for the ultimate luxe feel,’ adds Nikki.

We understand the feeling of luxury comes at a price, but a simple trick is to add a premium underlay to your carpet to give it a plush, soft feel. ‘We listen to what our customers want and now offer it as a complimentary inclusion with all our upgrade carpets,’ says Nikki.

2. Include a fireplace

Is there anything better then huddling around the crackle and glow of an open fire during winter? Home fireplaces are well and truly trending and can be an unforgettable feature in your loungeroom or outdoor entertainment area. ‘A fireplace should always be the focal point of a room; a cosy hub where people can congregate,’ says Nikki.

Modern fireplaces offer the convenience of gas heating without losing the ambience or heat of the original.

‘You can now have a fireplace with real-look flames rising from a pebble, driftwood or log base, and producing up to 80 square metres of heat,’ says Kate Hansen from JetMaster Fireplaces Australia.

‘There’s also a range of style options you can choose from to fit your overall interior design style. For more contemporary homes, you can’t go past the Heat and Glo SLRX. If you’re after a more traditional or Hamptons look, try the 5X version paired with the classic mantel piece,’ adds Kate.

3. Stick to colours with warm undertones

A white isn’t just a white. Beyond the overtone visible to the untrained eye, every colour contains an undertone that can greatly impact a room’s feel. So, it pays to choose your paint palette carefully.

Read more: Choosing the perfect paint for your new home

‘My best piece of advice is to listen to your designated Boutique Homes Interior Designer during your consultation. Colours that seem to work at first can look vastly different next to other tones or under certain lighting, depending on the base – or undertone – of the hue,’ explains Nikki.

For a warmer feel, consider beiges, taupes and warm whites that have a yellow/red base, such as Dulux’s Whisper White or Beige Royal. You can also contemplate adding a feature wall to smaller areas such as the bedroom using wallpaper or a splash of colour.

‘The Dulux colour forecast indicates that warming beige whites and moody palettes are well and truly trending. Adding a warm-based leafy green or deep blue can help give the illusion that the room is smaller to keep it feeling cosy,’ adds Annie.

4. Think about insulation and tech

For true heat retention and a cosy interior, you need quality tech. Think proper insulation, heated floors and high-quality split systems so you can stay comfortable come June.

‘Homes can quickly become hot in summer or cool in winter when heat flows unobstructed through the walls and ceilings,’ explains Nikki. ‘Thermal insulation is the answer to reducing the fluctuations in temperature throughout the year.’

‘With Bradford Insulation included as standard in your Boutique Home, upgrading your insulation early in your build can be one of the best decisions you make. Not only does high-quality insulation reduce the cost of keeping your home warm, it can also decrease airborne noise transference between rooms in your house – particularly important for big families in smaller homes,’ adds Nikki.

5. Make sure your windows are properly dressed

First things first ­– make sure your windows are double glazed. Included as a premium standard inclusion when you build a Boutique Home, double glazed windows contain two panes of glass (rather than one), separated by a pocket of air, and are designed to trap heat and keep your energy bills low.

‘Bradnam’s double glazing provides so much more than just the well-known savings you see on your energy bill – it creates year-round temperature comfort without the need for artificial heating or cooling. Our wide pocket double glazing also comes with argon filled air gap as standard to help keep the calm in your house by reducing outside noise by up to 60% and greatly limiting any build-up of condensation on your windows,’ explains Bradnam’s Doors & Windows State Sales Manager, Justin Grosveld.

Window furnishings are another cost-effective way to keep your home feeling cosy. While the hard lines of blinds and shutters work to keep light at bay, Annie says curtains are the answer to creating a tranquil and cosy space.

‘Block-out blinds overlaid by heavy curtains are perfect for bedrooms. The depth of the fabric keeps heat physically within the space and blocks out any draught, while their beautiful folds quickly make a room feel warmer,’ says Annie.

‘Shutters are a popular choice for bathrooms and living spaces alike and, when paired with a soft flowing sheer, is a favourite style for my clients.’

6. Shine a light on comfort

Accent lighting not only instils a sense of drama to a room and helps frame your chosen colour palette, but it can also make a room feel cosy. Think feature lamps and pendant lighting with warmer-based globes and textured lamp shades. Just be sure the lights blend seamlessly into your chosen interior theme.

‘Accent lighting above a kitchen island bench can lift the space and create a focal point in the room. For a Hamptons style kitchen, it’s best to incorporate pendant lights that are more detailed and decorative,’ says Sarah.

Read more: How to create a Hamptons style home

‘For more contemporary and modern style kitchens, you can install a large feature light that extends across the bench or individual pendant lights that utilise cleaner lines and simple colours.’

7. Opt for natural textures

Soft lines create a sense of comfort when compared to straight, flat surfaces, so it makes sense that the use of texture can quickly make you feel snug. Imagine touching a woven rug compared to a marble benchtop, for example.

‘Adding textured tiles and timber-look cabinetry can be a fantastic way to make a space feel psychologically warmer and more inviting,’ says Nikki, who suggests introducing textured tiles into your bathroom for a truly luxe effect.

‘Pair our textured Terracrete Greige tiles with a timber-look cupboard such as Sepia Oak with a ravine finish. The two natural elements working together create a bathroom you’ll want to stay in, even during the colder months.’

Styling is another inexpensive way to add interest and cosiness to a space.

‘You can’t go past tactile woven throw blankets and soft cushions in a mix of patterns,’ suggests Sarah.

‘Shag rugs are a great way to divide spaces and create separate zones in an open floorplan, while still being warm underfoot and creating a homey ambiance.’

‘Complete the look by introducing natural elements via warm-tone timber furniture, an oversized sofa, and lots of greenery,’ adds Nikki.

After more interior design and styling tips? Head to the Boutique Life blog.

Yet to get started on your journey to finding ‘The One?’ Contact our friendly New Homes Consultants today for an obligation-free chat.

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