Did you know we only have a few days left of summer? Sad, I know, but there’s always a silver lining. I don’t know about you but I love a bit of a seasonal decorating change-up in my home. Any excuse to buy and play around with new accessories, I say! It doesn’t have to be expensive either. Here are my top tips.
1. Change your cushions. You might want to swap out your brights and neons for something a bit more warm or muted. And think about textures too: now’s the time to experiment with knitted and velvet cushions for the colder months. Gorgeous!
2. Add a throw blanket. They seem a bit redundant in summer but who doesn’t love a blanket over their lap when the weather gets cooler? Or is that just me being a nanna?! Either way, they look and feel great and add texture, an extra layer (of warmth and to your look) and can be practical too (I find it’s always good to have a practical reason when it comes to arguing the case for another homewares purchase with your less enthusiastic partner!).
3. Think copper. Have you noticed the rosy warm tones of copper making their way into homewares everywhere at the moment? This is my top trend tip for Autumn/Winter 2014. Invest in a statement copper piece and incorporate it into one of your rooms. It might be a lamp, a candle holder or a decorative bowl on your coffee table.
4. Make an impact with a new rug or layer them. If you take your seasonal decorating seriously it might be time to roll up your lightweight summer rug and put it away for a few months. Replace it with something more substantial; perhaps with a lovely squishy pile that feels great under your chilly feet. It’s not the easiest look to get right, but experiment with layering two or more rugs. This can look really cool and unique.
5. Candles. Der! We all know candles look great any time of year but they really come into their own and create a lovely glow when the nights are drawing in. Think more wintery, spicier fragrances rather than zesty summer scents.
6. Get cosy with mood lighting. I love a cosy night in when it gets cooler. Light the fire (if you’re lucky) and some candles, grab a nice steaming mug of tea and a good book, and smell that casserole in the long-neglected slow cooker. Sound familiar? Lighting is a great way to change the atmosphere of your home so make it more moody and atmospheric this time of year and make a feature of it getting dark early. Try getting rid of overhead lighting altogether and introduce a few different mood lights in your room (in the shape of table and floor lamps). Don’t forget some areas require practical task lighting too. Don’t take mood lighting too literally in the kitchen for example. Sharp knives and dim lighting are not friends!
Read more about Winter Looks, brought to you by Freedom.
