| While it may be nice to have a pretty, summery | | | | this time. Like you would decorate with flowers in |
| look in your living room during the hotter months | | | | the spring, do the same with what you have at |
| and even into fall, there comes a point when you | | | | hand during the winter, albeit less colorful. A tall |
| simply can't deny that winter has set in. The | | | | collection of reeds or decorative dried grass, for |
| bright florals and light colors of summer need to | | | | example, can lend a natural winter feel to a living |
| go and it's time to bring in the cozy feeling of a | | | | room and keeps things from getting too bare. |
| winter look. If you aren't sure just how to do | | | | 4. Literally warm it up. If you have a fireplace, real |
| that, here are a few interior design tips for you. | | | | or electric, now is a great time to fire it up. |
| 1. Pay attention to color. We use color | | | | Keeping things cozy and warm with flames |
| everywhere in our lives and it affects nearly | | | | automatically makes the living room a place that |
| everything we do. For the cooler months, darker, | | | | feels like a retreat from the blustery world |
| richer hues are ideal for creating a cozy, winter | | | | outside. But even if you don't happen to have a |
| look in your living room. Rich browns, burgundies, | | | | fireplace, you can still create that homey feeling |
| dark greens and ochres are perfect for making it | | | | with candles. One or three candles (odd numbers |
| feel warmer inside, but you don't have to run out | | | | tend to look better) set on the sideboard or on a |
| and buy new furniture. Slip covers make it very | | | | low shelf are perfect if you just want to add a |
| simple to change the palette of a room, as do | | | | touch of warmth, but for a real comfort zone, |
| curtains. | | | | try lighting a dozen or more around the room. |
| 2. Use plenty of texture. Clean and smooth is the | | | | 5. Change the decorations. Flat surfaces such as |
| way to go for hot weather, but once the snow | | | | mantels, windowsills, coffee tables and shelves |
| starts to fall, it's time to get nice and warm and | | | | offer a multitude of decorating possibilities that |
| fuzzy. Texture adds a lot of personality to a | | | | we often forget to alter. What works for a |
| room and you can use as little or as much as you | | | | summer layout isn't going to work for winter, so |
| like, depending on your taste. This can mean | | | | take a good look at the decorations and |
| anything from throwing a couple of warm fleece | | | | centerpieces that you have and make some |
| blankets over the back of the sofa or adding | | | | seasonal changes. Winter scenes make a great |
| some fuzzy pillows to bringing out extra throw | | | | alternative to floral paintings, while crystal jars and |
| rugs and hanging up heavy oil paintings. Thicker | | | | such are a great way to decorate a shelf. |
| curtains can also help warm a room. | | | | Transitioning from a summer look to a winter one |
| 3. Bring the outdoors in. Just because it's cold and | | | | with these interior design tips should be a piece of |
| wet outside doesn't mean there's nothing | | | | cake. Think about what makes a room feel warm |
| interesting in nature. Try creating an arrangement | | | | and inviting and then add that to your living room |
| of stark branches to place on the mantel, or find | | | | to create the perfect hideaway for cold, wintry |
| seasonal plants that can be brought indoors during | | | | days. |