#TuesdayTips - Reconditioning your home for winter

With the darker nights already beginning to move in, it’s time to start thinking about the small touches that can transition your home from a bright summer home to a peaceful autumn retreat.

We often spend more time at home during the cooler seasons, choosing to host a dinner party or enjoy a relaxing night in instead of venturing out. Making a few simple changes will create the perfect environment for staying in over the next few months.

1.     Create a focal point in the living room

The Jo sofa collection combines stylish designs and high levels of comfort. Available in a range of four fabric colours, this range is an ideal choice for any busy home.

Kevin Royal, managing sirector at sofa and flooring specialist ScS, says: “The sofa is the key focus of a living room and a few simple touches can help draw attention towards the area, making it easy to update seasonally. A statement wall behind the sofa naturally draws our eyes towards the area, and although grey continues to be a popular colour this autumn, changing cushion covers can bring a pop of colour and is a great way to add texture.”

The Jo sofa collection from ScS combines stylish designs and high levels of comfort – perfect for an autumnal night in.

Price: Sofas from £549

2.     Add warming accessories

There’s nothing more welcoming on a cool night that lighting an array of scented candles. For A/W, swap fresh floral scents for deep pomegranate or sweet vanilla, and light in the early evening to create a peaceful ambience – regardless of the weather outside.

3.     Switch out your blinds

David Roebuck, managing director of DirectBlinds.co.uk, said: “Whilst in summer a pale blind can brighten up the room, choosing a darker colour in the colder months can add a feeling of warmth and cosiness. For Autumn/Winter 2016, opt for a deep berry or rustic amber to make the most out of the season’s colour palettes.”

Red Leaves combines deep red tones with an autumnal leaf print, to add a cosy feel to any home.

Price: From £99

4.     Update your bedding

The bed is an area of the house that can be quickly and easily updated at minimal cost. Add a big throw and a few textured cushions to create a welcoming environment, perfect for climbing into after a long day.

5.     Clear away your clutter

​Jonathan Warren, owner of Time4Sleep.co.uk, says: “Spring isn’t the only time to have a good clear out, it’s a good idea to get the home in order whenever the season changes. For A/W, it’s worth storing summer accessories (like that picnic rug!), to clear space for any new seasonal buys. A blanket box looks stylish, whilst also offering up great storage space that is easy to access.”

The Dulwich blanket box comes in an on trend smoky grey and offers a practical solution for storing clutter.

Price: £219