Well November is definitely making up for that very mild October we had and as winter draws closer, we’re all going to be spending more time inside our homes. Whilst some of us love to hunker down and hibernate, for others the darker days can feel a bit relentless. If you want to make the most of your home this winter, here are some interior design hacks, techniques, and tips to help you love your home this winter.
Smart storage
I finally revealed our junk room of doom on Instagram Stories last weekend and honestly I’m so glad we’re going to be tackling it next year. It has been shown that living in a cluttered or untidy environment can have negative effects on your mental health. It can also impact productivity, which is a double-negative for those of us working predominantly from home and I definitely believe in “tidy home, tidy mind”.
Reorganising your home by giving everything a set place is a great way to keep your home clutter-free. There are a variety of different approaches you can take when it comes to selecting storage solutions depending on what works for you, your style, and your home.
If your home is on the smaller side and has limited space, under-the-bed storage boxes or hanging wardrobe shelving can help create extra space. Using wall space is another great technique for homes with limited storage – whether it’s hanging pots and pans in the kitchen or hanging your bike on the wall, using wall space for storage clears up floor space for other furniture and activities. We have a fairly small kitchen which is quite standard for 1930s homes and managed to create the smallest little pantry in a tiny recess.
If you have deep drawers and struggle to keep your items organised, draw dividers are a great way to bring structure and help you find things quickly. Drawer organisers can be used in any room of the house – kitchen, bathroom, or bedroom.
Lighting
With the days growing shorter, having a good source of light in our homes is even more important. Adjusting light fixtures where necessary can be a simple and cost-effective change that can make such a difference to our environment.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your ambient lighting (primary source of light in the room, commonly referred to as ‘the big light’), task lighting (light used for certain activities in certain areas of a room, such as desk lamp) or accent lighting (decorative lighting, for example on a bookshelf), it’s important that your lighting sets an atmosphere that you’re comfortable living in.
When selecting lighting, there are a few things you need to take into consideration, especially when it comes to bulbs – you have to consider shape, wattage, and even colour. Lightbulbs can give off cool or warm light; this colour temperature is usually measured in kelvins. The lower the rating the warmer the colour, and the higher the kelvin, the cooler the light. I think most of us have a preference for warmer tones, especially at this time of year.
Note: Friendly reminder that, whenever doing DIY at home (especially tasks like light fixture installation that requires the use of step ladders) try to avoid doing work without an assistant.
Creating Space
Many people don’t realise just how much space they have in their home that isn’t being properly utilised.
Loft conversions are one of the most popular home renovation projects for a reason and we’re so grateful to the previous owners of our home for having completed that project. They are a great way to create extra space in your home; whether you need an extra bedroom, office, play room, or even just a storage room, you can achieve it with a loft conversion.
If a loft conversion is a little beyond budget, the loft can still be boarded and made into a useful functional space – who else has seen amazing model trains set up in an otherwise unremarkable space? No loft conversion would be complete without the perfect loft ladder. Loft ladders are a great way to give safe and convenient access to your loft, without taking up too much floor space.
Set the mood
Some small finishing touches can really make all the difference when bringing that ‘homely’ feel especially in winter.
Incorporate the season and accessorise with seasonal scented candles or diffusers, decorate surfaces with winter greenery, and maybe add some seasonal fluffy blankets. Boo has taken to burying himself in the teddy blanket I keep on the sofa at this time of year – either that or commandeering my lap for extra cosy cuddles.
So every year I say the same thing – if for us summer lovers you can’t beat it, you may well as join it. Time to get my autumn/winter cosy on.
Post in collaboration.
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