YOUR STYLE: 5 WAYS TO WINTER-PROOF YOUR HOME

The sun is rising later and setting earlier, and there's a definite bite in the air. Winter calls for soft furnishings and tactile accessories to make your interiors cosy and snug. Here are five ways you can score major style points while ensuring your home is prepped for the chillier months.

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CREATE WARMTH USING LIGHTING
While not always directly associated with warmth, lighting definitely has an effect on a room's ambience. What interior decorators refer to as 'mood lighting' is often used to make a space appear warmer and more lived-in. However, you don't need to have a designer's touch to achieve this. Natural light is first prize but in winter it's in short supply, so make use of artificial lighting instead. A single overhead light can be harsh and cold, so position small lamps with warm white light bulbs around the rooma – warm white has a more relaxing effect than cool white. Pay attention to lampshades as well, as these can do a great job of diffusing lighting to create a warm, convivial atmosphere.

LAYER ON RUGS AND TEXTILES
Carpets and rugs have great insulation properties, which is what you want to maximise when the chill starts to set in. If you want to add warmth with rugs but your decorating style is more on the functional, minimalist side, opt for rugs with a short pile. If you have a more eclectic approach, experiment with textural, high-pile rugs that are embroidered or have tassels and fringing. You could even take it to the next level by layering your rugs on top of one another; a thin faux animal hide laid out on a thick woven rug will add interest and extra padding underfoot.

UP THE PLUSH FACTOR WITH SCATTERS AND THROWS
Scatter cushions and throws are one of the easiest ways to winter-proof your home. Due to the fact that they're smaller accessories, they can be easily swapped out when trends come and go, or when you simply get bored of their design. Throws are often the default choice for making your living room area look and feel more snug, but don't limit them to your couch or occasional chair – inject some warmth and up the luxe factor in your bedroom by draping a plush throw over the foot of your bed, and make sure it's made from a material that feels good against your skin.

INCORPORATE NATURAL AND ORGANIC ELEMENTS
Organic elements like handwoven wicker tubs, rattan baskets and planters automatically add warmth to a space, and their neutral properties make them easy to slot into most interiors. Bonus? These accessories not only add to the overall aesthetic of a room, but also serve as the perfect hiding place for household bits and bobs that tend to get in the way, such as throws, blankets, toys, magazines, and toiletries.

ADORN YOUR WALLS WITH FABRIC HANGINGS
Walls and ceilings make up most of a room's surface area, so decorating them with wall hangings is a great way to maximise cosiness while also staying on trend. Once a defining accessory of '70s decor, macrame is once again having its time in the sun, but has received a refreshingly modern update. Macrame wall hangings are especially popular as they offer tactile appeal and also double up as art pieces. If you're looking to introduce a pop of colour and add interest with pattern and print, opt for a vibrant tapestry or kilim, which will add warmth and anchor the room.