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Discover expert-backed winter decor tips to make your home warm and inviting. Designers share ideas on textures, lighting, scents, and cosy corners for the season.
Soft throws, glowing candles, and earthy tones add instant warmth to your home this season
As the temperatures begin to fall and evenings stretch a little longer, our homes naturally become our refuge, spaces where we seek warmth, comfort, and a sense of calm. Creating a cosy, inviting environment isn’t about major renovations; it’s about thoughtful layers, sensory details, and small styling choices that evoke ease and warmth.
Layer Up With Textures and Rich Fabrics
“As the temperatures fall, it’s natural to crave warmth and comfort at home,” says Amita Trehan, Founder and Chief Design Officer, Bravura Spaces. She recommends switching out lightweight summer fabrics and bringing in richer, tactile materials that instantly add depth and warmth to a room.
Soft woven throws, woollen or velvet cushions, and plush rugs help create cosy, cocoon-like spaces. Trehan adds, “Swap out lightweight fabrics for richer home textiles like silk, wool, or velvet and play with earthy hues such as warm terracotta, deep greens, and soft neutrals to create a sense of calm.”
These deeper winter tones not only ground a room but also make it feel more intimate and seasonally harmonious.
Create Atmosphere With Lighting
Nothing transforms a home during winter quite like the right lighting. Shan Bhatnagar, Founder of Shan Bhatnagar Designs, explains, “The right lighting can completely transform your space, making it feel warm and calm especially as days get shorter and cooler.”
He suggests working with layered, ambient lighting rather than harsh overheads. Candles are especially effective this time of year. “Start by arranging candles thoughtfully, a cluster of tall pillars with smaller votives or tea lights on a console or coffee table,” Bhatnagar says. “Their gentle flicker adds intimacy and a touch of magic that artificial light simply can’t match.”
For everyday use, Bhatnagar recommends swapping bright white bulbs for soft, warm-toned ones. A strategically placed table or floor lamp can wash a corner in a golden glow, instantly making the room feel more inviting.
Use Scent to Set the Mood
Scent plays a surprisingly powerful role in shaping how warm and comforting a space feels. Trehan notes, “Scent also plays a big role, so light candles or diffusers with notes of cinnamon or vanilla to instantly uplift the spirit of a space.”
Warm, gourmand, and spicy scents evoke a sense of coziness and nostalgia, perfect for winter evenings.
Design Little Moments of Comfort
Winter decor isn’t only about what you see, but also how you feel in your home. Trehan emphasises the importance of designing small pockets of comfort. “Most importantly, design little moments of comfort, like a reading nook draped with a throw,” she says. These curated corners become emotional anchors in a space, simple yet deeply welcoming.
A cosy home, she adds, “isn’t about perfection; it’s about creating a feeling of warmth, comfort and ease as the season shifts.”
Winter Warmth Begins at Home
From layered textiles and warm lighting to comforting scents and intimate little spaces, winter decor is all about thoughtful additions that make your home feel snug and inviting. With expert guidance from designers like Trehan and Bhatnagar, it’s easy to transform your space into a winter sanctuary that embraces the season with style and warmth.
Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady Shri Ram …Read More
Swati Chaturvedi is a seasoned media professional with over 13 years of experience in journalism, digital content strategy, and editorial leadership across top national media houses. An alumna of Lady Shri Ram … Read More
November 13, 2025, 22:32 IST