What experts have to say on adding warmth to your home this winter

Arushi Sakhuja

With winter at its peak, there’s no better time to turn your home into a haven of warmth and comfort. Beyond simply cranking up the thermostat of the radiator, creating a cosy atmosphere involves thoughtful touches and intentional design choices to add warmth to your home.

While some of the basic ways to add warmth to your home include the use of soft furnishing. Swapping out lightweight summer fabrics for plush throws, chunky knit blankets, and soft, textured cushions. Different textiles especially warming picks like velvet and wool add extra insulation against the winter chill. Second, make the switch to a warm colour palette such as deep reds, earthy browns, and golden yellows. These colours evoke a sense of cosiness and can transform the ambiance of any room. Yet another great way to add warmth to your home is warm-toned lighting fixtures and candles. Finally, rugs are a must-have in the winter months providing extra insulation against cold floors. Layering rugs can also add depth and a sense of luxury to your space.

Ahead, we spoke to experts from the industry to explore a range of unique ideas on how to add warmth to your home making it a welcoming sanctuary during the coldest season.

Shivani and Siddhant Anand- Co-founders, Bay Window

Photo Courtesy: Bay Window

Shivani and Siddhant Anand, the Co-founders of Bay Window, emphasize the transformative power of textures and lighting to add warmth to your home. “At Bay Window, we know it’s important to make your home warm and cosy in a way that fits your style. To make your living space feel comforting, using different textures can help. The main thing is to choose furniture with warm finishes and wooden pieces that have a natural look. This gives your home a timeless charm and makes it more beautiful. Matching the furniture with upholstery in friendly colours creates a nice mix that makes you feel relaxed and brings everyone together.”

Apart from the furniture, another great way to add warmth is with lights. Using layered lighting in warm colours is the best way to make your space feel cosy. And when it comes to making a room more comfortable, you can’t go wrong with lamps. Lamps give off a soft, warm light that can make any space feel like a safe and cosy place. The gentle glow from a carefully chosen lamp can turn any moment into a comforting and welcoming time in your home.”

Saba Kapoor- Co-founder, Nivasa

Photo Courtesy: Nivasa

Saba Kapoor, Co-founder of Nivasa, believes that creating a warm and cosy ambiance extends beyond furniture arrangement. “I think creating a warm and cost ambiance goes beyond just arranging furniture. At Nivasa, we believe that a warm home is a welcoming sanctuary, where memories are made and cherished. Adding warmth to the home relies predominantly on the colour palette, adding earthy tones such as warm beige, rich browns, and muted terracotta creates a comforting ambience while accent walls in warm hues add depth and character to the space.” Kapoor further says texture also plays a pivotal role in achieving this ambience. “To add warmth to your home, you can use soft things like plush rugs, faux fur throws, and velvet cushions. These make your home warm and welcoming. Moreover, mixing materials like wood and stone adds a touch of nature and brings the outdoors inside, fostering a sense of comfort.” Finally, she suggests, adding a personal touch to your home. “You can do this by putting up family photos, artworks you love, and things that are special to you.”

Pritika Singh, Founder, Mohh 

Photo Courtesy: Mohh

For Pritika Singh, a home is everyone’s haven…  “To infuse warmth into your home, start by selecting a warm colour palette such as earthy tones like warm beige, terracotta, and deep reds, these can create a cosy atmosphere in an existing home. In an existing home opt to add such colours with furnishings, decor, and throws.” Singh also advises incorporating soft textures with plush throws, cushions, and rugs to create a tactile and inviting environment. “Natural elements, such as wooden furniture and potted plants, are essential for adding a touch of nature and enhancing warmth.”

To add warmth to your home, Singh says, incorporating the right lighting plays a pivotal role. “Add lights in smart places with bulbs that give off a warm and soft glow and use candles to make your space feel warm in both how it feels and looks.”

Nehrisa Gandhi, Co-founder, Kaniry

Photo Courtesy: Kinary

Nehrisa Gandhi, Co-founder of Kaniry, shares insights on crafting warmth in modern traditional spaces. She suggests embracing inviting textures and integrating wooden decor accessories for a soothing atmosphere. “Thoughtfully position taller items to visually cocoon the area. Transform your coffee table into an elevated focal point with trays housing a mix of elements: a small plant, diverse books, and an array of candles. These nuances not only finalize the space but also wrap it in a hospitable ambiance. Incorporate both real and artificial plants, along with dried flowers, for a timeless natural allure.” Gandhi advocates for the use of candles in lanterns as remarkable light sources, extending warmth both indoors and outdoors. Lastly, use rugs, fabrics, and throws to add to the design, making a story that combines comfort and style, creating a truly welcoming place.