How To Warm Up Your Home For Winter

Looking for a few ways to change your home for the winter and snuggle in with a few basic changes.

Here are some creative ways to help warm up your home for cold times ahead.

- Change to the winter slip covers, in velvet, or corduroy, in deep colors of the fire - remember it goes to "blue" when its hottest. Deep jewel tones.

- Bring out the accent pieces - some pillows with handwork you've bought or made, the winter afghan you drape casually over the sofa.

- Bring things in closer, and closer to the fireplace, so people can figuratively "huddle." Rearrange the furniture to encourage closeness, generally just bringing it in closer, in a smaller space.

- Change out the bedspreads and duvets to the winter fabrics and color scheme, and bring out the flannel sheets.

- Start a collection of 'winter' pictures you build over the years. I've framed different photos of the kids skiing, in their snowsuits, and trying to catch snowflakes with their tongues.

- Work with the lighting if you can, especially if you work at home. It's the season for SAD (seasonal affective disorder) and we need as much light as we can get. If you have a home office, try some of those health lamps.

- Change lamp shades in the living areas. Switch to ones that send out warm, golden tones.

- This year why not redo the fireplace accessories? They're often the focal point of the great room. Spruce up the screen and hardware, and perhaps find an exceptional new container for some logs. Invest in a set of sumptuous brass andirons. Brass and pewter are great for "warming up" a room.

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