Rittika Chokhany shares her favourite winter decor tips
Take a look at some easy and amazing winter décor tips in line with the recent trends, from Rittika Chokhany of Ariyona Interior.
Winter is literally at our doorstep and Christmas is just around the corner! Yes, the good days are here. Like every season, winter too has some special elements that can materialize perfectly in your décor.
So, if you’re planning to add wintery feel and sprinkle it with some Christmas vibes, take a look at some easy and amazing winter décor tips in line with the recent trends, from Rittika Chokhany of Ariyona Interior.
How can our readers make their homes cozier this winter?
All our experiences are through our senses. The more senses you satisfy, the more wholesome your experience is. I use this basic funda in my home décor too. So, to cozy up your home this winter, cozy it up for all your senses. Add layers of soft, warm textures which are cozy to the touch, maybe velvet cushions, a woolen throw on the sofa and a soft carpet at your feet. Use deeper, richer colours which are warm to the sight such as reds, oranges and deep browns. Spicy or woody fragrances will add to that warm feeling and the candles also give you an excuse to light a fire… which you otherwise cannot do in place like Mumbai!
Finally, though sound and taste are out of the realm of home décor, keep these in mind especially when you are entertaining. Close your eyes and imagine the sound of a crackling fire, and see how it fills you up with warmth. Though you can’t possibly light a fire in an apartment, turn on some soft music, whether it’s Elton John crooning a love song in his deep voice or Jagjit Singh singing a ghazal in his. Team this up with freshly fried pakodas, steaming dumplings, or hot chocolate with melting marshmallows, and you’re winter cozy through and through!
Which is your favorite decor DIY?
For the winter season it will definitely be candle décor DIYs, for the simple reason that they’re really easy to do and very easy to incorporate into your room and décor irrespective of your décor style, colour scheme or how big or small your home is.
Share a few 2-minute winter decor ideas for the bedroom
Here are 4 steps to an instant winter ready bedroom.
- Add an extra layer of cushions in different sizes in front of your pillows, the soft type that you can sink into.
- Take an extra blanket fold it and lay it width wise across the foot of your bed. It instantly makes your bed look warm and cozy.
- Add rugs around your bed. You can put them on one side or both sides or all around the bed. You can use narrow runners if there is less space, and they don’t have to match exactly, as long as they are in similar tones and go with the décor of the room.
- I don’t think candles on a bedside table are entirely safe. Put a string of fairy lights into a glass jar / vase instead. It gives off the same soft candle glow and makes the room cozy.
Which is your favorite color scheme for winter decor?
I use neutrals as the base colour in my décor so that it’s easy to ‘change’ the colour every now and then, by season, mood or occasion. The accents I would add in the winters would be deep, earthy shades like reds, oranges and browns.
What kind of winter decor changes have you done in your home?
Well, Mumbai doesn’t really have a winter, so, in our home winter décor means Christmas decor. Since we have neither a fireplace, nor a mantel, I’ve set up one of my sideboards as our Christmas mantel. (The kids can’t wait to see what’s they’re getting in their stockings!)
I also decorated our entrance with Christmas garland and a wreath and we have lots of candles around the home for the wintery, Christmas-y feel!
Are there any plants that can be used to make indoors greener this season?
I’m a plant lover, so the answer is YES! Plants should be used to make the indoors greener in ALL seasons! Plants like Areca palm, money plant and mother-in-law’s tongue need very little care and do well even in the shade. My favourite for this season would be the Christmas tree, for obvious reasons, and the Chinese Evergreen (Red) for those pretty red and green leaves.
Top 5 mistakes that people tend to make in winter decor
(1) Overdoing the Red & Green – Yes, ‘tis the season and all, but make sure you’re not overdoing it. Keep the base neutral and add some red and green accents along the way. If your base is not neutral, say you have a yellow sofa, you can totally avoid the red and green. Add the festive bling using silver and gold décor and ornaments.
(2) Overdoing the Décor – Tone down the bling too. Every corner of the room need not be lit up with lights, candles and ornaments. When adding new décor to your shelves and tables clear out the older stuff and put it away for another time. Make sure your space doesn’t look cluttered and messy.
(3) Overdoing the Scent – I’ve learnt this the hard way. I remember scattering a whole lot of candles around my living room and lighting them all up for a party. All of them were scented and not all the same fragrance. Our home smelt like a perfume shop and it was quite an uncomfortable evening. Only a few of all your candles need to be scented, and choose one fragrance for the evening!
(4) Overdoing the Dark Palette – I mentioned earlier that adding deeper shades of a colour to your interiors in the winter adds to a warm, cozy look. But overdoing it can make the space look dark and gloomy. Put dark curtains, rugs and sofas, all in one room and it will look like the room has never seen any sun. You also want your space to look bright and reflect all the natural sunlight available in the winter. So, neutrals as the base and darker colours for accents.
(5) Overlooking Safety – Candles are great for winter evenings, but are there going to be kids around? Then avoid the real thing or make sure it’s out of their reach. You light up your Christmas tree with fairy lights, but will the wires get in your pet’s / kids feet? A few weeks back I decorated a wooden tray with some Christmas candles and placed it on my center table. My dog ate up the pine cones that were scattered in the tray. I immediately changed its place… and lesson learnt for next time!
Top 5 winter decor tips:
(1) Use Layers – Add layers of soft furnishings in different textures to add warmth and coziness to your room. Add a smaller faux fur rug to the carpet on the floor or your leather chair, use thick, soft bedcovers on your bed, and use a knit throw on your sofa.
(2) Use Earthy Textures – Think natural elements like wood, cane, jute, terracotta and you automatically think warm and cozy. Add these elements in your furniture and décor for the winter.
(3) Use Deep Colours – Again, earth tones such as warm reds, oranges and browns give the warmest vibes. But don’t fret if you have a blue living room. Add elements in darker shades of grey and indigo to give a warmer feel.
(4) Use Plants – They work both ways. The deep green adds life and warmth in the winter and green is a naturally cool colour in the summer. It’s a win-win!
(5) Add Sparkle – Nothing like a little shine and sparkle to complete your winter look. It’s the season for candles, fairy lights and a little bit of bling. “Christmas is too sparkly”… said no one, EVER!
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