Each year, as we transition into the cool winter months, we consider how we can make our homes cozier and filled with layers of warmth to create a sanctuary within our walls.

This season, the idea of creating a winter sanctuary is more important than ever before, and we’re thinking beyond adding a few more throws to our sofas.

If you’re looking for inspiration to make your home feel more lived-in, inviting, or reflective of the stillness of the winter season, this post is for you!

Here are a few of our favorite tips on how we “winterize” our spaces through design:

Highlighting your natural materials

Natural materials like wovens, woods, and leathers bring warmth to space all year long, and in the winter especially, we love to highlight those hues with accent pieces to draw the eye into the room. 

Pulling out hues from natural textural elements through pieces, textiles, or even decor can help accentuate the appearance of warmth in your space, seamlessly making it feel cozier. 

Working with a muted color palette

Not only do muted color palettes tend to have more longevity, but they bring a sense of peace and serenity to a room, and we love using neutral tones as an opportunity to add depth with texture. 

One of the easiest ways to transition your home to winter is by switching out your textiles to reflect winter’s calming tones. 

Trading our lightweight materials for heavier textures

We’re shedding our light summer linens for warm wovens in deep hues and patterns that speak to the elements of winter for optimal sitting-by-the-fire function. Layering textiles in mixed patterns is one of the simplest ways to refresh a room, bringing a thoughtful and curated look to your space. 

Designing for living

Now that we are spending more time at home than ever before, we’re focusing on adding functional elements to our spaces like baskets for storage, layered seating additions, and trays for transporting snacks and pitchers. 

Mixing furniture profiles

Having too many legged pieces tends to create a more formal look, and we like to mix it up a bit by blending low-profile pieces that go all the way to the floor and allow the space to feel more grounded and relaxed.

Finishing touches create an experience

Last but certainly not least, adding in the finishing touches makes all the difference. Sometimes all it takes is lighting a candle to set the tone for a cozy feeling.