While winter is generally mild in Pakistan, some parts of the country do witness snowfall and somewhat extreme plunging temperatures. Besides the sub-zero weather, another challenge for people living in such areas is the availability of electricity or power to heat their homes while remaining well within their budgetary constraints when it comes to heating bills, which is easier said than done! One economical way to get warmth indoors is to make small changes to your interior and we’re here to give you the best tips for cosy home décor on a budget.
Tips for Warm and Cosy Home Décor
Here are a few ways to make your home feel warm and cosy all winter long while sticking to your budget:
Warm Paints
If you want to make your home feel warm and cosy on a budget, one alternative is to give it a quick paint job. You don’t even have to paint all the walls. Just painting one wall of your main living space in a warmer colour can make a big difference to your indoor temperature. Warmer colours for the winter include maroon, forest green, black, orange, navy, chocolate brown, and dark grey.
Thicker Bedding
The cosiest spot for most homeowners is their bedroom, and if you truly want to enjoy your evenings in bed during the winter season, then you should upgrade your bedding. While linen, satin, silk, and cotton are all great alternatives for the summer, winter weather calls for heavier sheets. If you have a set of flannel bedsheets lying around the house, you can use them to ensure that your bed remains warm and inviting, all day long.
Don’t have flannel sheets at home? Purchasing a set is always an option. However, since you’re aiming for cosy home décor on a budget, don’t worry. We have other alternatives to help you out. This includes adding a blanket or comforter to the foot of your bed, making the space warm for your toes. Your feet will thank you for it. While you’re at it, do remember to take a few extra blankets out of your storeroom so you can use them as and when needed.
Cosy Slippers
Next up on the list of tips for warm and cosy home décor is investing in a set of warm and fuzzy slippers. This is especially important if your flooring is tiled, as tiles absorb the cold and can become really icy to the touch. You can find a variety of slippers within your budget to wear around the house and keep your feet warm.
Heavy Curtains
While you might leave the windows open and uncovered to let the breeze in on a warm sunny day, you’ll want to close the window and avoid cold drafts on a chilly one. This is when heavy curtains can come to your aid. Ideally, make a one-time expense and get a set of curtains for your home that can be perfect for the winter season. These can either be made of velvet or have added layers to block out the cold.
Throw Pillows
Most of us need a pillow to cuddle when we’re sitting curled up on our favourite sofa during the winter season. The act of cuddling a throw pillow is excellent for warmth and comfort. Make the most of this feeling by adding multiple pillows to your seating arrangement for the winter. You can also change their covers to heavier and warmer fabrics, like velvet, suede or faux fur.
Don’t have a lot of pillows lying around? Drape blankets or shawls over your couches and sofas so you can wrap yourself up when you feel cold. As a rule of thumb, layering and draping fabrics across the house just gives off a cosier feel in the winter season. Leave a space bare, and you’ll feel the chill immediately. Don’t let cold pockets of air dwell in your home. Kick them out by accessorising your furnishings with warm fabrics.
Layered Rugs
Want to make a room inviting and help retain the heat too? Well, the best way to do that is to take out all the rugs you have in your storage area. Regardless of whether your home is carpeted or not, adding rugs to strategic places around the house can not only make it look inviting and warm but also keep the interior cosy. Large rugs can be spread out in main living spaces, but smaller rugs can work just as well when you place them right.
Ideally, place one on the side of your bed, so your feet have a warm welcome in the morning. Another can be spread underneath your favourite chair or sofa and so on. Determine which area needs a rug underfoot and set them around the house accordingly. Remember, if you want to go for a really cosy effect, layering multiple rugs in an overlapping style is always the preferred method. However, if you only have a few rugs to spare, your need for warmth can determine their placement around the house
Burning Candles
Homes in Pakistan rarely, if ever, have a working fireplace. If you’ve got one, then there’s nothing better than lighting it up for a warm and cosy evening. However, an alternative for cosy home décor on a budget is to light up candles around the house. You can choose scented or plain candles in various shapes and sizes. Please be extra careful with open candlesticks if you have kids or pets. Keep all burning candles out of reach of your children by putting them on higher shelves or tables.
Candles give off a warm yellow glow that makes you feel cosy, and the flame just adds to that warmth. Mix that up with a cosy winter scent, and you have made your home feel warm and cosy on a budget. Candles are available at different prices. Choose ones that suit your budget.
Mellow Lighting
Bright well-lit rooms are welcoming, but are they cosy? Generally, the answer is no. This is because bright white lights take away the element of comfort, making every empty corner of the room too visible to make it feel cosy. Want to change that? Try installing warm-toned yellow bulbs in your light fixtures instead. Warm lighting gives off a warmer glow, as per its name. Warm lighting is also softer and gives fuzziness to those clear, sharp edges that can make a room seem empty or bare.
Live Plants
Potted plants and fresh flowers in a vase might not radiate warmth in the real sense of the word, but they are a sign of better and warmer weather to come. Flowers in home décor donate joy, comfort, happiness, and they bring natural beauty indoors. Plants, too, give off that cosy feeling that comes with heading back home after a long day at work. Seasonal flowers or all-year plants are easy to purchase on a budget.
These inexpensive ideas can help you get cosy home décor on a budget. Stay tuned to Zameen Blog as we’ll be sharing more winter décor ideas for cosy homes over the coming months. Email us your questions and suggestions at blog@zameen.com.
