Paid partnership with So Resi.
It’s official. The clocks have gone back, the days are growing shorter and there’s hues of red, orange and yellow scattered all over the street. Did I mention the faint smell of pumpkin-spiced lattes? That’s always a strong sign for me that it’s time to start nesting, making the seasonal changes in my home to create a warm and cosy atmosphere. Honestly, these small tweaks will really make a difference to your mood and how you feel in your abode.
This year, I’ve partnered with shared ownership developers So Resi to share my tips on how to make your home feel autumn/winter-ready. I’ve spoken about the benefits of shared ownership when buying in London before, but as we move into a new reality, the need for these schemes has never been so apparent. So Resi’s Clapham Park development ticks all the boxes in terms of style and location, but also in terms of affordability for those wishing to maintain a London lifestyle, while also stepping onto the property ladder.
Sounding good so far? Come and explore the So Resi Clapham Park show home I visited last week while finding out exactly how to get your home ready for autumn and winter – you’ll notice the EJP touch was well and truly added.
Choose warmer colours.
While it’s absolutely not essential to refresh the entirety of your home for the colder seasons, if you’re in the market for a lick of paint, this update will make all the difference to spicing up your life (sorry, couldn’t resist a Spice Girls reference). Colours have the ability to change our mood and make us feel secure in our space, so choosing a hue that helps to make you feel settled is important. For colder seasons, warm and rich hues will stop your home from feeling sparse.
For those less inclined to get out the paintbrush (let’s face it, it’s not super practical every new season), focus on the styling of your rooms instead. Cushions, throws, rugs, curtains, bed linen and home accessories can all help to play into your overall colour scheme. I regularly switch out my cushions and bed linen styles as the seasons change. Your living room or bedroom are the perfect place to start and you should look to update your colour schemes in these rooms to reflect the colours that make you feel most relaxed. You’ll see here that I opted to add warm orange and rust tones to create a more autumnal vibe.
Change up your cushions.
It’s well known that I’m a cushion hoarder. In fact, the majority of my cushions stay out all year round. Nevertheless, I definitely still have stock in my cupboard that I swap in and out as the seasons change, normally dependent on materials and colour.
Say au revoir to the cotton and linen options of summer and instead opt for silks, wool and velvets to incorporate thicker textures and a richer color scheme. You could even tap into the AW20 cord trend. Make sure you consider your own preferences – some may choose to go bold with a splash of colour, while a tonal and textured aesthetic may be more suited to your core interior style.
Opt for thicker curtains.
Curtains are an easy way to update a room quickly when that light and airy feeling is no more. Plus, they’ll help to keep in warmth too. Look for heavier fabrics that completely cover the window such as velvet, or wool and linen blends that will bring warmth visually as well as practically.
Layer up rugs.
A well-placed rug can change the entire aesthetic of a room, but will also add the practicalities of a cosy refuge for your feet. A thick deep-pile rug is great to curl your toes into, but you may also consider layering a jute rug underneath for extra texture and added warmth.
Refresh your coffee table and shelving.
Your home can often start to feel a little bit stale and lacking when you keep things the same over a long period of time. Instead of heading for your homeware store of choice, try shopping your own home instead. Refreshing your coffee table, shelving and art as the seasons change can help to bring new life to your space. For autumn and winter specifically, think about making the most of metallics to reflect light, and natural materials that will help to bring the outside in.
Make extra effort with lighting.
Lighting is one of the most important improvements you can make, especially in winter. With darkness looming at 4pm, a good lighting scheme will help to create ambience and ensure that your home feels comforting as opposed to scary, or stark. Ensure your lighting scheme consists of base lighting, task lighting and ambient lighting – think floor lamps, table lamps, wall lighting alongside your standard ceiling lighting. John Lewis, Habitat, House of Dot and IKEA all have affordable lighting on offer. Feel like you’re already sorted on the light front? Simply swap your light bulbs for warmer shades or try a smart solution to mix it up when it suits.
Mirror natural light.
With natural light in short supply, it’s important that you make the most of what you’ve got. Mirrors help to reflect natural light around a room so position them in areas where the light hits and reap the rewards!
Switch over to winter bed linen.
Do you own a winter and a summer duvet? Well, fun fact, you should! Check the tog of your duvet; the higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet, with 2.5 – 7 tog perfect for spring and summer and 10.5 – 13.5 ideal for autumn and winter. On top of that, drape layers of throws over your bed and think luxe materials such as velvets, faux furs and knitted textures to keep with the seasons.
Make your corners count.
It’s important to find time for yourself during the colder seasons. Low light and dank weather can have an effect on your mood. Create corners that allow you to catch up on doing you, whether that’s reading, writing or just daydreaming. Everyone needs a corner of a room to get cosy in, and a statement chair paired with a cosy throw as above will help you do just that.
Add faux botanicals.
Can’t keep your plants alive as soon as the big freeze hits? Bring greenery indoors with faux plants instead. IKEA have upped their game massively, and every plant you’ve seen here is indeed faux. For those more comfortable with real greenery, aloe vera and snake plants are wonderful options for winter and will provide great green tones and air-purifying qualities.
Perfect your scent.
Last but by no means least, a great autumnal scent is key to creating a welcoming feeling, and can also be achieved with candles that will add warmth and light to your home too. Think about fragrances that incorporate fruity notes such as apple, ginger and fig, or smoky scents that remind you of nights by the fire. Don’t hold back; add your favourites to hallways, living rooms and bathrooms for the ultimate homey experience.
So Resi is a developer focused on shared ownership properties. I’ve spoken about the benefits of shared ownership before, but for those not in the know (I used to think you shared the ownership with mates!), shared ownership is a scheme to help you get on the property ladder.
Here’s how it works.
- You buy a share of the property, on which you’ll pay a mortgage
- So Resi would own the remaining share and you make a monthly payment to them also.
- Finally, you pay a monthly service charge for upkeep & maintenance
18Your joint monthly mortgage payment and rent will normally end up lower than standard rental prices. Apartments at So Resi Clapham Park start from £109,250 (25% share) for a 1-bed flat. A property like this will require around a 5% deposit at just under £6,000.
Got any questions? I’ve become well versed in all things trying to buy a house, so feel free to drop me an email. You can also get in touch with the So Resi team here.
For more interior inspiration, colour clashing and general life admin, check out the rest of my blog. Follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Twitter for more of the EJP in your life.
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