Whether you view it as a blessing or a curse, Maryland experiences all four seasons. Summer is hot, spring and fall are chilly, but winter is icy. When the temperature drops and the days remain short, we tend to hide away in the comfort of our homes.
If you want to fend off the cold while we hibernate for the winter, try stimulating the senses with sights, scents, and textures that evoke feelings of warmth. Here are six tips for constructing a cozy atmosphere this season:
Change the color palette
The winter months are an excellent time to incorporate colors that bring comfort to the various spaces of your home. Yellow, red, and orange are warm colors for a reason. They elicit a feeling of coziness. Whether you decide on soft shades or bold hues of these colors, you’re sure to create an atmosphere perfect for combating the chilly winters.
Focus on lighting
Our circadian rhythm is our alertness and drowsiness throughout a 24-hour cycle. This rhythm is most influenced by light—particularly the sun rising and setting each day. During the winter, the sun sets earlier in the day. It's crucial to take advantage of natural lighting as much as possible and incorporate good lighting choices. Some lighting tactics include dimmers, warm-colored bulbs, and candles.
Bring in textures
Incorporating textures with textiles that add warmth and elevate your design is a perfect cozy home approach. Wool is one of the first textiles that come to mind during the winter, and it’s great for rugs, pillows, and blankets. Velvet is a lush, soft option that makes wonderful statement pieces due to its vibrant hues. Mohair is another textile that works well for furniture because of its comfy, soft texture.
Invest in cozy bedding
Who doesn’t love nestling into bed on a cold winter night with a good book and a warm cup of tea? There are ways to upgrade the coziness of your bed that adds a little extra comfort. Let’s go layer by layer. Down comforters are made with fluffy clusters of feathers, which makes them excellent for snuggling. Blankets add additional weight, which is known to create feelings of security. Flannel sheets are softer and warmer than typical sheets, making them excellent for winter. And finally, plush pillows are comfortable to lean back on or rest your head at night.
Incorporate scents
So far, we’ve explored ways to stimulate touch and sight for a cozy home, but what about its smell? Several scents produce the perfect environment, including vanilla, lavender, spiced apple, and pumpkin. To fill your home with these incredible scents, turn to candles, diffusers, and essential oils. Even just baking cookies or brownies is a tasty strategy to fill your home with an inviting aroma for guests.
Implement smart technology
We all want our home to be nice and warm through the winter without overdoing it on our energy bill. Throughout the day, the environment in your home will change as the sun rises and falls. Smart technology can manage your energy bill and create a cozy atmosphere while taking advantage of the sun. With a smart thermostat, you can create a schedule that will control the temperature of your house throughout the day. For example, you can save money by turning the room temperature down while at work and then ramping up the heat once you get home.
Smart blinds and shades can also be scheduled to lower and rise depending on the time of day. Direct sunlight is a natural way to heat your home. If your home faces east, then schedule your smart blinds to rise in the mornings and lower in the evenings for privacy.
And finally, smart lighting allows you to create the perfect atmosphere for the time of day. Smart bulbs can also be programmed to turn on and off depending on the time of day. Additionally, many of these bulbs can change colors.
If you’re ready for a home built with your comfort in mind, check out all the opportunities available at Brunswick Crossing. With a variety of models and a plethora of amenities, we’re sure you’ll find the next place you’ll call home. Learn more about our models and take a virtual tour.
