The majority of individuals desire to live in a cozy and welcoming house. However, that’s not how many modern homes feel at all. How then do you transform your area from chilly and uninviting to warm and welcoming? It’s not as difficult as you believe. Maybe all you need to do is tweak the design a little. Plus, it’s useful to know what might be preventing you from using your space right now. Here are five decorating and design decisions that can give the impression that your house is chilly, along with solutions.
Too much black
Even though black is a popular hue for furniture and décor accessories, it may significantly change the atmosphere of a room. Interiors with stark black and white decor have little visual softening and are high contrast. However, this does not imply that you cannot create a warm atmosphere with black decor. Sometimes all it takes is choosing the appropriate tones and finishes or applying the color sparingly.
Interior designer and HGTV star Shay Holland says, “I’m working with a client right now who wants a transitional, welcoming space but her choices at first were actually on the wrong end of the spectrum.” She had selected black glossy textiles and chrome metals for some of her furniture. The combination of the materials gave off the incorrect vibe. I explained to her why a gentle black accent would be preferable.
Brown undertones in soft black colors give the deep, dark hue some warmth. Therefore, if you love the color black in your design but think it makes your room seem too chilly, softer colors might help balance the black with warm, earthy tones.
Everything You Own Is From A Single Store
Purchasing a bedroom or living room set can be a terrific way to cut costs and streamline the decorating process. However, Holland claims that this might give a house an impersonal vibe.
Purchasing items from estate sales, thrift stores, and antique shops and gradually adding them to your house will help you create a genuinely distinctive space, even though it will take more time. If that isn’t feasible, choose two or three stores that fit your style and look for items that complement each other but aren’t exact matches.
This will help your house look more like your own and less like it was copied and pasted from a showroom or retail catalog. Interiors will consequently feel cozier and more familiar as a result.
Absence of Texture and Layering
According to Holland and interior designer Audrey Scheck, a deficiency of layering and texture is a major source of a room’s feeling of coldness. According to Holland, “soft touches, like rugs and various sources of lighting and artwork, are necessary to warm up a room.”
Although minimalism has been a big trend lately, clearing out the clutter can occasionally cause a room to lose some of its depth and coziness. “A space can feel cold and empty if the minimalism design aesthetic is applied too heavily,” warns Scheck. Rather, we advise incorporating rugs, throws, pillows, and tabletop ornaments in a variety of textiles and materials.
Moreover, layering several aesthetics can create a stylish and eclectic appearance. Put modern art atop a couch covered with toile, for instance. Look for some retro décor items to put on a stylish modern table. Any room may be quickly elevated by layering different pieces; you don’t have to be a maximalist.
Avoid combining different metals and coatings.
In the same vein, Scheck informs me that using only a few different metal finishes and hues can also give the impression that a home is frigid, particularly if all of the furniture is silver. “To add more visual interest to spaces, try combining matte black finishes with brass,” she advises.
Excessive Use of White
Scheck claims that even though the all-white look was fashionable for a while, there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. According to her, “too much white can create a sterile environment.” “To prevent this, paint your home a creamy white color with warmer undertones to add character.”
The designer recommends layering warm-toned textiles, such as an ivory throw blanket or beige and brown bedding, and adding wooden furniture if you are unable to repaint or just don’t want to tackle a painting project at this time.
