Now that we are officially in Autumn, it’s time to start thinking about how to decorate your house for the colder weather. Think warm throws, switching out the bright summer linens for darker, moodier colours and natural textiles like wool and leather; basically, anything that will turn up the cosiness factor of your house.
With winter mornings in Melbourne regularly reaching the lower end of the thermometer (even in the dead of summer!), you might be considering investing in furniture that fits the climate. What better time to get a leather bed in Melbourne than the season you’ll need it most? Even if you’re not looking to overhaul your furniture completely, here are a few winter decor trends for 2023 to help you make your house warmer and more inviting:
Trend 1: Colours of Nature
Like every winter, warm, earthy colours are set to dominate this autumn. There is something about timber tones, warm greens, rich terracottas and delicious chocolates that scream cosiness and comfort. Furniture in deep wood tones has always been a classic, and this is not likely to change this year. Luckily, wood furniture works great for all seasons, so if you’re looking for a timeless piece, light or dark wood is the way to go!
Not looking to change your furniture? Embrace the outdoors by throwing on some toast brown throws over your couches for those late wintery movie nights snuggling up on the couch. This year, the colours to complement these warmer tones are oceanic blues or coastal lavenders, which can add another layer of natural chic to your living spaces.
Trend 2: Natural Elements
Taking the natural theme a little further, this autumn is going to be all about adding more natural elements to your spaces. These include woven textures like rattan, jute, wicker and sisal or adding furniture or decor accented with stone or marble elements in your indoor spaces. The pandemic taught interior designers the value of creating indoor spaces that take a nod from nature to promote tranquillity, and this trend is likely to endure for some time.
In addition to being on-trend, hardwood floorboards and panelling add another layer of insulation to the house, helping you stay toasty warm without having to turn on the heating.
Trend 3: Texture, Texture, Texture
Texture is all the rage this season, whether it’s on your walls, your furniture or in your decor. Think boucle armchairs, shag pile rugs, cashmere or faux fur throws, fun wallpapers, brick or textured tiles on your backsplash or wicker baskets. A strong trend in 2023, texture is everywhere this season and can add depth, life and warmth to any room.
Trend 4: Less is More
If there’s one concept the new generation has embraced to its fullest, it’s “Less is More”. Like the last few years, minimalism is front and centre in 2023, with people focusing more on buying that one piece that will immediately grab attention and last years. Instead of cluttering your space with knick-knacks collected over the years, choose a few pieces to display and tuck the rest away to create an open, inviting space. The same goes for furniture. Instead of filling up the room with mismatched pieces, carefully and mindfully choose a few pieces you’re likely to get the most use out of.
For example, if looking for queen bedroom furniture, the one thing you should be investing most in is the bed. The bed is the single most important element of a bedroom, and all other furniture should revolve around this piece. Think carefully about the kind of storage you need, and make use of vertical space to avoid clutter.
Trend 5: Light It Up
We all know the feeling of waking up to a grey, bleak, chilly Melbourne morning. What’s the best way to combat seasonal depression? By lighting it up! Studies have shown that good lighting design can not only improve your circadian rhythm, helping you sleep better, it can also improve depressive moods, improve productivity and overall put you in a better mood.
If any bulbs have burnt out, a dimly lit area needs another wall sconce or your lampshades need a good clean, now’s the time to do it! Open up those windows on days when it’s bright and sunny out and let the light pour in, and dim them down for those cosy winter evenings when you’re snuggling in bed. Want to go all out? How about investing in a chandelier with adjustable lighting to fit every mood? Wouldn’t that make a statement!
So there you have it. This autumn, embrace nature and choose organic elements like wood and sheepskin, add layers and a pop of colour and texture, but don’t overdo it! Remember, your house should remain a sanctuary for you to relax and feel comfortable in, not a replica of an interior design magazine. Whatever you choose to do with your place, at the end of the day, it should remain true to who you are.