Beloved blankets, bedding, cushions and even rugs – all of these are the key to creating a cocoon against the cold, and there’s no better time to start crafting one than now.
Beautify the bed
Layering your bedding will not only keep you cosy, but will bring you a sense of comfort every time you see it. It’s time to bring the winter duvet out of storage and, if it’s cold, your winter sheets too. Be brave and veer away from white-only linen – just make sure you stick to a colour scheme to keep it cohesive and harmonious.
Your mind might immediately go to adding more scatter cushions, but first consider extra pillows. Look beyond the standard pillow size and, if it fits, incorporate a layer of queen or king size pillows (it’s a thing!). Then look to unique decorative cushion shapes such as large euro-, bolster- or lumbar pillows covered in a handful of different textures and colours. If your other half protests all these pillows, then be sure to have a basket or ottoman handy to store the cushions in at night.
To show off your beautiful winter linen, fold your winter blanket in half and place it at the bottom of the bed. Drape a super soft blanket or quilt over it for an extra layer of luxe.
It might seem counter-intuitive, but it’s worth bringing in some “hard” materials such as wood or stone to balance the bedroom.
Layers in a bedroom aren’t just lovely to look at, they also help you to adjust your body temperature from day to day and throughout the night, ensuring a comfortable night’s sleep.
Couch comfort
It’s tempting to pile on as many cushions onto a couch or chair as possible, but it becomes too much when you’re spending a good deal of time removing them, so you have a place to sit.
But how to arrange them? Consider having three cushions on a two-seater couch, or two at each arm along with a different one in the middle. Humans tend to find odd numbers pleasing to the eye, so keep that in mind too. When it comes to size, do play with scale so all the cushions get a moment to peek through and shine. Having said that, each one should be small enough to fit snugly on the couch without overwhelming it, but not too small to get lost. Keep in mind the amount of filling, too. It’s like Goldilocks says: not too rigid, not too floppy, but just right.
If you’re keen on adding a throw, fold it up when not in use and drape it over the arm. Tuck the throw down the inside of the arm and under the couch cushion to keep it in place. Otherwise, place the throw over the back of the couch where it can add interest and be kept in place by the back couch cushion.
Up next, you could increase cosy comfort even more by adding a soft ottoman or footstool in front of the couch, where you can easily put up your feet. While you’re at it, add seat covers to dining room- or kitchen bar chairs to spread the layering love even further.
Floored by the floor
Start off with an area rug made of a natural fabric, such as sea grass or jute, to anchor the space. Demarcate different zones using Persian-, kilim- or other patterned rugs to add visual interest and a change of texture. Utilise these smaller carpets to guide the eye around the room — who says they need to lie straight? This layering strategy means you can use rugs that might be a bit too small for the space, but it’s made up for visually by the larger carpet beneath it. It’s also an opportunity to pick up on different colours within the rest of the room. Layering up rugs also increases that plush feeling underfoot, which has got to be one of the most luxurious feelings of all.
Rich colours inspire comfort, and are a great way to counter the winter greys outside
Lovely to look at
Rich colours inspire comfort and are a great way to counter the winter greys outside. Burgundy is the colour of the moment. Also called ox blood, it pairs beautifully with cream, navy, moss green, black and even pink. And don’t forget Mocha Mousse, Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year, which adds warmth to white and muted greens. Other simple ways to layer up include swapping your breezy summer curtains for something heavier to help keep out the cold. Display winter quilts or extra blankets in baskets or open-front cabinets, where they’ll bring you comfort just to see or settle down in with a good book.
Top tip
Place a rug pad underneath the base carpet to prevent it from sliding — it also makes it feel plush
By: Christi Nortier
Photography by: Future Content Hub, Bureaux, Pexels
Text courtesy of Living Space magazine
