Winter in South Africa is cold. Although snow and below zero temperatures are not common, it does not change the fact that our homes were not built for the cold. Unlike our North American and European friends, we don’t have central heating. Our winters are mild in comparison and much shorter, so there is no need for it to begin with. It does however get biting cold in some areas and the last two weeks have been a good indication that winter has finally arrived and has also, it seems, settled right in. Winter décor can make the world of a difference in the cold, giving you a warm retreat from the icy weather outside.  

Maximalism  

Maximalism means more of everything. Double up on blankets, throws, carpeting and even artworks on your walls. Maximalism is all about adding extra and going over the top. We love this trend for the lush colours and textures it gives us to play with. Diana Hathaway adds, “Minimalism and downsizing brought a style backlash that left us longing for comfort. The need for comfort propelled extreme nesting styles like Hygge into our homes, but those styles lack the glamour that many of us crave. Maximalism is the best of both worlds, combining our most comfortable decor with our favourite colours and accessories”.  

The trick is to mix and match bold, contrasting colours and an eclectic mix of size, patterns and materials. Bring balance into the space by adding neutralising, common tones. But there are really no rules – go with you gut! 

Wall Murals or Wallpaper   

You can easily transport yourself to a warmer climate by taking control of your view. South Africa has a wide variety of large-scale artists to make this happen for you. Maybe you are a gifted artist yourself and want to give a full wall mural a go? Planning is essential and there are numerous how-to videos online to help you along.   

Choose themes and colours that are close to nature. Homes and Garden shares “Adorning interiors with maximum escapism, tropical wall-coverings full of lively patterns and dreamy painterly scenes are just what interiors are craving this year”.   

Wallpaper is a quick and easy way to get a similar look. Opt for large, leafy tropical greens. Jungle mural wallpapers are an elegant way to ignite nostalgia for long-forgotten summers.  

Cottagecor  

Cottagecor became popular in 2020 with an emphasis on cosy spaces at home. The country look is inspired by natural materials like wools, wood and rattan with an emphasis on re-establishing a wholesome connection to nature, sustainability and eco-living. the perfect winter décor combo.  

Create the look by embracing natural imperfections and prioritising pieces that have a story to tell. Fusing the old with the is vital when achieving this look. Wooden furniture works wonders in spaces inspired by cottage living, and is resilient, easy to clean and requires little maintenance. Add an armchair to your space with throws and scatter cushions. Make the space inviting – like you want to crawl under a chunky-knit wool blanket with a hot chocolate.  

Find more winter warmer inspiration here.