Time to get cosy! Sophie Robinson's top tips on getting comfy indoors
Autumn is one of my favourite seasons. It’s the colours! I love that nature has this fabulous last hurrah before winter finally bites, when the trees are ablaze in that autumnal palette of rich reds, golden yellows and chestnut browns. All set against a dazzling bright blue sky, it makes for a soul-soaring sight.
It makes sense to honour this seasonal shift in our homes too. I beat the oncoming winter blues by focusing on all the little rituals that I associate with this time of year. One of my favourites is to introduce simple seasonal displays, such as a few oak branches foraged and arranged in a vase on the kitchen island.
As the nights draw in, my mind moves to hibernation. I decorated my snug to feel like a cosy cave for this very purpose; although some advise against dark wall paint, I covered my walls in Little Greene's delicious, aubergine Córdoba, and the result is warm and cocooning.
Even without redecorating, you can create a feeling of retreat with warm, ambient lighting. Switch off any pendants or downlighters and introduce lamps or wall lights for a soothing glow. A flickering candle or crackling fire adds a special kind of luminescence. On that note, scented candles play a big part in setting the mood. I have them dotted all around my home: dancing on my desk, the hall table and in the snug. Opt for earthy, woody scents, such as cedarwood and oud, or something sweet and spicy like fig, clove, orange and sage.
Autumn invites us to slow down, and having a long hot soak in the bath rather than a quick shower is one of my key rituals. Give the bathroom a refresh with a few plants, some soft towels or an ultra-fluffy new bathmat.
My bedroom also gets a bit of a glow up, piling the bed with beautiful throws and cosy blankets. You could also invest in a new set of richly patterned bedlinen to add some snuggle factor. I’ve put in an electric blanket, and the ritual of switching it on an hour before bed is (maybe sadly) how I get my kicks these days! It’s the little things that help me find the joy, so I’ll be treating myself to a gorgeous new mug for my brew and curling up with Lucy the dog under that blanket.
Hunker down with these gorgeous buys...
Follow House Beautiful on TikTok and Instagram.
You Might Also Like
