8 Ways To Warm Up Your Home For Winter

With the right home environment, there’s no need to feel cooped up in Winter.

It can actually be a wonderful opportunity to escape the drama of the outside world, rekindle passion in a relationship or bunker down with Netflix.

Whether you love Winter or curse the cooler months, the key is surrounding yourself with colour, beauty and style. Here’s how to make the most of it.

1. Trick your senses

If you’re a lover of all things surf, sand and sea, Winter can be a tough time. The good news is you can trick your senses into believing it’s warm by adding to your home all the sights, sounds, smells, feels and tastes of Summer.

Bring into your home items found at sea like shells and starfish. If you find nautical a bit naff then instead feature art and ornaments with the Australian surf culture in mind - bright, seaside colours like blues, yellows and whites.

Burn coconut scented candles or oils and enjoy an indoor barbecue. Winter will be over before you know it.

2. Set your house on fire

Not literally, of course. The authorities will have something to say about that! If you’re feeling the chill, the colour red will get your blood boiling again.

Use the colour of fire to add energy, strength, love, warmth and comfort to your home.

Change your doona cover, invest in a red rug or buy a floor lamp. Loving the idea? Then it’s time to paint an entire wall or room this fiery, stimulating colour.

3. Bring out the woollies

Already know what you like? Then it’s time to bring out Winter woollies that match your current decor.

Got nothing (or nothing to match) hidden in the cupboards?

Well, there’s no such thing as too many cushions, too many throws or too many canvases so shun the shops and hop online to heat up your home with accessories, accents and art.

4. Combine your digital with vintage

For real comfort in Winter, there’s nothing like staying home with your laptop, your smartphone or some Netflix - or all of those at once.

But it doesn’t mean you suddenly have to become a member of the nerd herd.

Balance that cold digital world with the warmth of vintage delights - a signature chair, an old fashioned lantern or an old vase.

5. Dine with guests in style

Alfresco dining may not be an option, but it doesn’t mean you have to neglect your friends.

Get your dining room in order with a cosy rug, rich wall colours, a cabinet of curious objects and - if you can swing it - a gas or wood fire.

Include a few bottles of dessert wine and you and your guests, by the end of the evening, will feel warm in the heart and the soul.

6. Rekindle romance

There’s no need to live in front of the fire. Don’t forget you can also keep warm by steaming things up in the bedroom.

Ditch the flouros and add some mood lighting, get sexy with black satin sheets or go wild with animal print cushions, rugs or throws.

Passionate red will also do the trick, so if animal prints aren’t your cup of tea, be sure to refer back to Idea #2.

7. Embrace Pantone 2016

Pantone are onto a winner with this year’s Colour Of The Year. For the first time ever a blend of two colour shades have made it onto the interior design stage - Rose Quartz and Serenity.

This genius blend can be enjoyed all year round, so if your funds are limited this beautiful soft pink and dusty pale blue combination will carry you through from Winter to Spring to Summer and beyond.

8. Settle in for some drama

Before you grab yourself another good book (or 5) to read through Winter, set aside some time to truly embrace the drama. Get into the heat of the moment by adding mixed metals or art deco stylings - anything brilliant and bold - to your living space, library or reading nook.

Whether you’re a fan of contemporary authors like Dan Brown and Khaled Hosseini or classic authors like Jane Austen and George Orwell, shun the real dramas of the outside world and escape inside for bold choices.

Oh - and leave plenty of space aside for another bookshelf.

Feeling better about Winter already? Doesn’t take much, does it? Stay warm, everyone.