How to Create the Perfect Winter Living Room

Article Written By: connectfur@gmail.com

To create a living room that's warm, comfortable and inviting you have to have a focal point. Think about how you use your space now that the weather has changed. A fire place or mantle piece is the obvious choice for a focal point, but if you face everything towards them are you limiting the way guests can seat themselves comfortably? If you don't have an obvious focal point in your room, can you create one? Do you have a special piece of furniture you already own or intend to buy? Can you rearrange your furniture with this piece as the focal point to create a completely new dimension to your room?

It's easy to dress up or dress down a room and it's all about the accessories. How do you want to feel in your living space? What makes you comfortable? These answers provide a great starting point in your choice of decoration. Whether you feel the need to paint a wall or just stock up on your cushion collection, you need to focus on your choice of colour. Think of an open fire, what colours can you see? Reds, oranges, blues, greens, browns, greys. These are all really warming colours. Adding splashes of vibrancy throughout your room can stop it from being boring and still retain a warm, cosy feel.

If you are thinking of painting your walls, choose something with a browner base colour rather than blue. Colours with a soft brown base can create a sophisticated and timeless feel. Just don't go too dark! You don't want to suck all the light out of your room. Neutral tones can always be updated simply through your accessories. Besides, who wants to get out the paint tins every season?

Just as important as choosing your colour scheme is choosing your fabrics. Cushion covers and blankets are readily available in hundreds of textures and patterns. From silk to cashmere, stripes to polka dots, and anything in between more and more fabrics flood the market each year. Vintage and recycled fabrics have hit the big time recently. Hunt out your local artists market and search for funky seasonal creations that are likely to be one-off. Cable knit cushion covers, for example, are so soft and comfortable to lay on they're just perfect for a nanna nap.

If you see something you like the look of, feel it. It's important to be tactile in every aspect of decoration. Think about how the textile will be used. Will it hold up in the wash? Will it need to be dry-cleaned? Pash Furniture have an amazing array of cushions to suit any taste. In fact, store displays are a great way to grab ideas on how colours and textures can work together. (For details go to ConnectFurniture.com.au/en/retailer/pash-furniture.aspx).

Now that you've thought about the colour and texture of your room, half the work is done! You've looked around your living room and thought about what you have in there, but what about what you have in other rooms? Can you swap or include a piece of furniture from your bedroom or dining room? Or a rug? Even an ornament or some photos? Something so simple as popping a chest of drawers in a corner or swapping the rug from the dining room can make you feel like you have something new.

Lighting is the ultimate way create a sense that you have redecorated. Clever use of lighting can manipulate the mood of a room. Something as simple as dimmers on a main switch can be effective, but cleverly positioned lamps can highlight or hide any feature you like. The Cocoon range from Milk Furniture look wonderful and omit a fabulous ambiance (For details go to ConnectFurniture.com.au/en/retailer/milk-furniture.aspx).

Investing in a new shade for an existing lamp is also an excellent way to update a look. Look carefully at a shade that you're choosing. Think about its colour and texture, you don't want to block light, just to diffuse it.

You may have turned the heating up, but there's nothing like snuggling into your couch wrapped in luxurious warmth. If you can, have one for every piece of seating (and a spare easily on hand). Blankets come in all textures, colours and sizes (tartan always makes me think of keeping warm at Gran's) and prices can vary from $40 -$4000. They are a great way to add colour and texture to a room and can double as an easy way to hide stains or wear and tear in your furniture.

Winter is the one time of year we don't really get out as much; so why not bring the outdoors in? Investing in some indoor plants may require a little TLC, but the benefits far out way the effort. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, they can help to purify some of that stagnant air that tends to hang around in winter. Plus, they are versatile enough to brighten any room size or shape.

Once you've thought about all of the above, it's likely that you may have noticed some wear and tear on your sofa, or that the covers aren't exactly the colour they used to be. It may be time to consider a replacement. Or, alternatively, you could consider removable, washable sofa and chair covers as an effective way of updating the look of a room. Standard sizes can be purchased ready-made, but if you have an odd size or shape, don't be afraid to have some customised. The outlay in having them made can be more, but having a couple of colour and texture alternatives can keep your living space constantly feeling fresh and new.

Last, but by no means least, a truly warm winter room needs to excite every sense. The scent of a room might sound like a silly thing to draw attention to, but imagine how nice it will feel to be around some warm and comforting scents. Citrus, cinnamon, cloves, chocolate, vanilla are all calming and warming winter scents. These scents have their roots in the colours mentioned earlier and really help to finish a room nicely.

About the Author

For more ideas and inspiration have a look at the wide range of home furniture available at www.ConnectFurniture.com.au

You Can Link Directly to "How to Create the Perfect Winter Living Room" by using the url:
http://www.allbestarticles.com//home/furnitures/how-to-create-the-perfect-winter-living-room.html

This Article Has Been Published on Wed, 7 Jul 2010 and Read 212 Times

Find All Best Articles at http://www.allbestarticles.com

Rating: Not yet rated

Comments

No comments posted.

Add Comment

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.

Related information on Furnitures

Everything You Ought To Know Pertaining to Folding Chairs
Why Choose a Hanging Bubble Chair
Three Fatal Mistakes When Making Loft Bunk Beds
Simple Upholstery Cleaning Tips
Shopping For Indonesian Furniture
Enhance the beauty of your house with sofa tables
Aluminium Window Shutters
Garden Furniture - Nature Merged With Fashion
Leather Sectionals Add a Touch of Class to Any Room
A Detailed Look Into Why Modern Furniture Is So Stylish
Baby Nursery Furniture Makes Kids' Rooms Attractive
Which Bed Should I choose? A Leather One?
Providing the Ultimate in a Good Night's Sleep
How to Create the Perfect Winter Living Room
Memory Foam Mattress FAQs
Master Craftsmen Can Produce Fine Bespoke Furniture to Any Requirements?
Buy Kitchen Cart Online
Choosing the best bedroom furniture
Designing Your Garden Layout
The Benefits Of Wooden Garden Furniture
Things to Be Considered for Perfect Kitchen Planning
Things To Keep In Mind When Shopping For Your Baby Room
Relax In Your Own Backyard With Garden Hammocks
Tips To Selecting Your Antique Dining Room Furniture
Baby Furniture Buying Guide