Autumn fades quickly into winter these days, which means the atmosphere inside your home should shift just as quickly with the seasons. Where fall is a cozy, earth-tone-dominated season full of layered textures, winter needs a different approach – think soft, warm, and insulating.
Your flooring plays a big part in this seasonal décor transition. From the ground up, it strongly influences how your indoor spaces look and feel.
Your goal this winter should be to create an environment designed to keep the winter chill at bay. But you don’t need to perform a radical décor overhaul – you’ll just need a few strategic swaps, additions, and layering techniques. Then, your home’s winter flooring décor will become the foundation of a cozy retreat from the cold.
Rugs: Swap Lightweights for Heavyweights
Your feet are the very first part of you to notice the seasonal shift. And no matter how fuzzy your socks, you’ll still feel uncomfortable and unwelcome on a cold, hard floor.
The best solution is to put any breezy jute or thin cotton rugs in storage. Swap them out for wool, shag, or faux fur options for both insulation and visual warmth. You can also layer your rugs to increase the insulating effect: place a smaller plush rug over a larger woven one for visual texture and increased functionality.
For added ambiance, choose winter-friendly colors for your rugs and other flooring décor items. These are typically deep burgundies, forest greens, navy, or classic neutrals that help you balance your space’s aesthetic. More on that later!
Tip: If you want to add even more warmth, find some heated rug pads. They’ll subtly warm up your floors without the serious investment of underfloor heating.
Bring In Natural Elements
Just because greenery is on the decline during winter doesn’t mean you can’t keep it alive indoors. Winter décor revolves around organic textures and natural accents, so don’t let your floors feel bare and minimal. Try these out:
- Woven baskets filled with firewood or pinecones. They work both as seasonal décor and functional storage solutions.
- Wool or jute runners in high-traffic areas to both enhance the warmth of the area and add a rustic touch.
- Cedar garlands, dried eucalyptus, or wooden floor accents to tie into your other seasonal décor items.
Extra Floor Accessories
Your winter flooring décor choices should focus on both what’s on the floor and what complements it. Fortunately, the winter months allow you to integrate new floor accessories that add comfort and practicality. Some winter floor accessories to consider include:
- Oversized floor cushions & poufs: These are exceptional extra seating options and make for cozy lounging days.
- Velvet or kilim-style ottomans: They’re luxurious and functional with soft and rich textures.
- Entryway boot trays: Keep these within easy reach of your entry doors to help prevent snow and salt from damaging your floors.
- House slippers kept at entryways: A great way to encourage a no-shoes-indoors policy but remain inviting is to provide comfy house slippers for guests.
The Combo of Lighting & Flooring
Many homeowners have their lighting fixtures installed and forget the impact the light can make during seasonal changes. But since indoor lighting plays such a major role in how your flooring (and the rest of your home) feels, it’s important to think about it more carefully. The right lighting changes as we move from autumn to winter can make spaces feel warmer and more welcoming – here’s how to achieve it this winter:
- Warm-toned LED floor lamps can be used to counteract the bright, stark light from outside.
- Floor lanterns with battery-powered candle clusters inside can create an intimate ambiance that subtly illuminates your other winter flooring décor.
- LED strips placed under cabinets in kitchens and dining areas can enhance the warmth of the room while making the flooring below look even richer.
The Importance of Seasonal Flooring Décor Color Shifts
The most straightforward way to redecorate your flooring décor from fall to winter styles is to consider the colors as carefully as possible. Color palettes shift with the seasons naturally – that means they should absolutely change indoors as well.
Take these winter-friendly color schemes into consideration this year:
- Cool neutrals: Cream, charcoal, and icy blues embody that crisp winter aesthetic when you want to bring a little of the outside in.
- Deep moody hues: Merlot, forest green, navy blue – these add a rich contrast to those more neutral bases you may have started with.
- Metallic accents: Reflecting warm light and feeling a little festive is like the icing on the cake. Go for gold or silver highlights in your rugs or other accessories to make your winter flooring décor pop.
Finishing the Feeling
To bring your winter flooring décor vision to vibrant reality, you’ll need to add some final touches to complete the overall feel of your home. These are usually minor details, but they’ll really tie the room together – even more than your favorite rug!
- Find faux fur, wool, or chunky knit textured throws and drape them over your furniture. They’ll look great and encourage guests to wrap up and relax.
- Don’t forget the smells of the season! Pumpkin spice and cinnamon may have been the go-to fragrances for fall, but cedar, vanilla, and pine work much better for winter months.
- A record player, Bluetooth speaker, or whole-home audio system can add serious ambiance that makes your living spaces feel like a cozy Christmas movie. Play soft jazz or acoustic playlists in the background any time you feel like entertaining!
Ensure a Seamless Seasonal Shift
Clearly, winter décor is all about adding warmth and comfort in multiple layers over what was already a series of beautiful indoor spaces. These small strategic swaps are all you need to make your home feel winter-ready without the need for a full renovation.
Want to learn more seasonal flooring décor ideas to keep your home lively and inviting year-round? Explore the recent posts on the Empire blog. And if you’re in the market for a flooring upgrade to truly enhance your living spaces this winter, schedule a FREE in-home flooring estimate today.
