It’s always a great idea to change the décor of your house to coincide with the changing seasons. The reason being that home décor that looks great in summer may not be suitable for winter. While a cool, airy look is preferred in summer, in winter, the need is to create a cozy feel with warm colors and fluffy fabrics. After all, what could be more wonderful than coming home to a warm, cozy setting when a cold, bitter wind is blowing outside and rain is pattering on the window panes? The best part is that changing the décor to suit the season doesn’t necessarily involve major changes like repainting the walls or getting new furniture. It can be done in very simple ways. Here are some tips to “winterize” your home. All you need to do to survive the winter blues is choose the right fabrics, textures, color schemes and accessories to warm up your interiors and give that extra comfort during the colder months.
Colors, Fabrics & Textures
In summers we usually go with lighter fabrics and colors for curtains, upholsteries, throws, pillows, slip covers and carpets etc. In winter you should go for richer fabrics like velvet, mohair and Chenille. Wool and fleece are some of the most popular winter fabrics. You can also go for heavy tapestries. The idea is to fill the room with thick, rich materials that give it a warmer feel. As for color, you can go for the deeper, richer colors like browns, rusts, navy blue, russet and burgundy. When choosing colors its better to pick brighter hues when everything outside is so cold and grey.
Rugs
While in summer months you may prefer keeping your floor bare, in winter you definite
ly want to have a warm area rug on the floor as rugs add coziness and warmth to your home. Additional benefits of rugs are that they can add instant color to a room, are affordable, easily washable, and protect your floors from wear & tear, spills and stains etc. In short, rugs are both attractive and functional. Choose rugs that will instantly brighten up your décor. The more they contrast with your flooring, the better e.g. if you have a dark wooden flooring, a cream or off-white rug would look great. With neutral colored floorings, dark colored rugs look better e.g. dark greens, burgundy. These days rugs come in all kinds of shapes and sizes- not just the traditional square and rectangular shapes. If you look 
around you can also find round, oval, octagonal, and heart-shaped rugs, and even irregular shaped shag rugs. The important thing to remember is that the size of the rug should be proportional to the size of the room. And always get rugs with a non-slip bottom if you’re going to be placing them on smooth, slippery floors. As for the rug material, it should be appropriate for winter. Ideally a rug should both look and feel warm. Wool and cotton rugs are thick and natural fibers which have great insulating properties which makes them ideal for winter. You can also consider jute and cotton area rugs, which are less expensive but just as comfortable. Avoid rugs made of synthetic materials, as they don’t offer any warmth, gather dust and may catch fire easily.
Windows
In summer, while you may want to block out the sun using shades and blinds etc, in winter you want to allow more light (and warmth) in.
Pillows & Throws
Plush throws and pillows can be placed on your couches and sofas to make them perfect for snuggling and getting warm on cold winter nights. You’ll also end up using less energy because you won’t be as reliant on your heaters! Velvet, chenille and mohair are ideal fabrics for throws.
Accessories
The accessories you use can also make a great impact. You can fill your vases and bowls with fall foliage like pine cones, winter berries, and pot pourri instead of fresh flowers (which are more suitable for summer). You can even stack some logs by the fireplace in an oversized basket. Candles are great for winter because they suggest light and warmth (both of which are scarce in winter!). Candles scented with vanilla, pine or spice can add wonderful fragrance too. You can dress up the fireplace with dried flowers or a candle arrangement. You can also display bowls of winter fruits on tables and countertops—apples, pears, and pomegranates.
Plants
Just because the weather outside is harsh and everything looks dull and grey, it doesn’t mean that your home has to look the same too. Whenever possible, incorporate "green" décor into your home. Use indoor plants to add color in life to an otherwise bleak and dreary season.
Seating Arrangement
A great way to create warmth is to put your furniture closer together to create more intimate seating arrangements. This makes a room look more inviting and create lots of space for conversation. Arrange them in a circle or have two or more pieces face each other. A large room can be divided into several smaller groupings e.g. a sitting area in front of the fireplace to sit and enjoy the warm fire and intimate conversation. And a reading area (defined by a book shelf in a corner along with a comfy chair and rug). You can use book shelves, screens, plants etc as room dividers for this purpose.
So you see, there are plenty of different ways to change the décor to suit the season. It just takes some creativity and flair. Little changes here and there can change the look of the room more than you think.
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