Bedroom Ideas to Make Your Room a Cozy Winter Retreat
Bedroom Ideas to Make Your Room a Cozy Winter Retreat
There comes a time every year when you know the winter season is officially here in Calgary. You go outside; the crisp cold air hits your face, your windshield is covered in frost, and by late afternoon the sun is already starting to go down.
The winter months mean more time inside, and since our bedrooms are where we start and end each day, it’s worth making your bedroom a space that feels like a cozy winter retreat.
Coziness is about feeling warm, safe, and comfortable, and getting there doesn’t take a renovation. These simple changes will make your bedroom the place you look forward to all day.
1. Layer Up
Layering is the name of the game in terms of coziness. If you can only change one thing in your room, add layers to your bedding. Your bed is the heart of your bedroom; it’s the largest piece of furniture and the first thing your eyes are drawn to when you enter the room.
Layering is also practical. Calgarians are used to temperatures that can change on a dime. A well-layered bed allows you to kick off or add back layers as needed.
Add these cozy winter bedding layers:
● Thick bedding: soft, brushed flannel or cotton sheets.
● Cozy throws: Put a chunky knit or wool throw blanket at the end of the bed
● Lots of pillows: Velvet, bouclé, or soft wool pillows in different sizes.
2. Warm Lighting
With the sun setting early, we spend most winter evenings under artificial light. By the time most of us get home from work in December, it’s already dark outside.
● Think in layers (just like bedding): Don’t rely on your overhead lights. Mix it up with floor lamps, bedside lamps, and sconces, and add a dimmer wherever possible.
● Warm Light Bulbs: Buy light bulbs with a soft golden light (around 2700K) for the coziest feeling.
● Candles: Nothing adds to the ambiance of a room like a candle, whether real or flameless. Just remember to blow them out before you go to bed.
3. Add Soft Area Rugs
A warm rug to put your feet on when you get (or drag yourself) out of bed is a game-changer. A good area rug can make a huge difference to a bedroom with hardwood, tile, or laminate, both in terms of comfort and the feel of the room. If a large rug isn’t in the budget right now, a couple of runners on either side of the bed or a soft sheepskin underfoot works great, too.
4. Use Window Coverings to Keep the Warmth In
Even the best windows can let in a cold draft when it’s really cold outside. A pair of long heavy curtains or drapery can help keep that cold air out and make your room feel quieter, darker, and more tucked away.
5. Bring in Warm Colours and Rich Textures
Think about the coziest room you’ve ever been in. A cabin in Canmore after a long day on the slopes, or a small candlelit restaurant. They probably weren’t bright white; they were filled with warm tones and textures.
If your room is feeling too cool or stark white, accessories are a great tool for bringing in warm colours. Neutral colours can also be warm. Cream, oatmeal, and soft taupe feel so much cozier in the winter than bright white or cool grey.
Texture is also important. Mixing materials such as wool, velvet, linen, bouclé, and wood prevents a neutral room from feeling flat.
6. Add a Reading Nook
If you have the luxury of space, adding a reading nook makes your bedroom a retreat instead of just a place to sleep.
It doesn’t have to be a giant chair. All you need is something comfortable to sit on and a small side table to put your tea on. A bench or upholstered ottoman at the foot of the bed works well, too. It’s a good place to sit while putting on your socks and a handy place to lay an extra blanket.
7. Clear Your Clutter
It can be hard to relax in a room full of stuff. Before adding all the cozy winter layers we have been suggesting, take a few minutes to clear out anything that doesn’t need to be there. Put away your summer clothes for the winter, and only keep what you need on your bedside tables.
Need help turning your bedroom into a retreat?
Coziness is a feeling you can curate. All you need is the tools and knowledge to know what to add and subtract.
At Rochelle Cote Interior Design (RCID), we design timeless homes that are beautiful, functional, and personal to you. We are a Calgary-based residential interior design company specializing in custom homes and renovations. We provide interior selections, custom millwork design, and detailed interior finishing packages for our clients.
