Ah, winter – it brings to mind sipping mugs of hot chocolate in thick knitted sweaters while sitting next to crackling fireplaces and watching the snowflakes fall on snow-capped trees. Well, perhaps that’s just the slightly romanticised version. For those of us in Melbourne, we may get away with hot chocolate by a fireplace, but that glittering snow may just have to be replaced with drizzles of freezing rain and grey, overcast days.

Now don’t get us wrong, there are plenty of things to love about winter. But with this year being one of the coldest on record (and we haven’t even hit the depths of winter yet, yikes!), who can blame us for sounding just a little gloomy. And with all that grey, it can making getting out of bed on those brisk mornings. That is why we’ve come up with this guide on how to make sure that your bedroom is the most comfortable, cosy and beautiful space. Hey, we didn’t say we were going to make the getting out of bed part easier.

Quality bedding

First thing’s first. Don’t skimp on the bedding. Investing in high quality bedding will help ensure not just a cosy winter experience but will last you well beyond just this season. Opt for pure linen sheets or Egyptian cotton with a high thread count for that effortless yet luxurious look. If you’re not sold on the cosiness of linen, then flannelette sheets are a great cold-weather alternative that won’t break the bank. And don’t forget about what’s inside the sheets – a quality down quilt will make your bed look and feel all the more inviting, as well as add that extra warmth for those cold Melbourne nights.

Colour palette

What’s one of the easiest ways to update a space? Switch out the colour palette, of course. Now, when it comes to winter palettes, there’s no hard and fast rule on what works. Bold colours like deep blues, emeralds and burnt oranges can imbue instant warmth into the bedroom. Having said that, you don’t need to turn your entire colour palette upside down for the sake of winter. While subdued greys and neutrals can make the space seem cold, pairing them with hints of these warmer, brighter colours can help to instantly turn the bedroom into a warmer, more inviting space for winter.

Lighting

We all know that winter means shorter days, so creating a bedroom zone that doesn’t look like a vampire’s den after 4pm is all about choosing the right lighting. Table lamps, floor lamps and pendant lighting can all be used to create ambience and warmth in the bedroom – and there are plenty of styles that will work with your existing interior. Just be sure to choose warm white globes to create that warm, relaxing atmosphere, as cool whites will make the space seem too clinical and office-like. Top this off with some scented candles and you’re well on your way to creating the perfect winter escape.

Layers and texture

Nothing screams cosy like layers and texture. Combine the two, and you have a winning formula to creating a bedroom you won’t want to leave this season. Rich textures like velvet, faux fur or shearling are your best friends in winter. Pair these with a few extra layers of mixed materials on the bed and you’re well on your way to a luxurious and winter-proof bedroom. And it’s not just about the bed, either. The floor – which can often be cold and bare – is a great way to add warmth to a bedroom. A thick, shaggy wool rug can be the perfect solution.

Feature bedheads

Now this one is pretty specific, and we know not everyone is ready to switch out their entire bed for the sake of a cosy bedroom this winter, but we thought it a worthy one to mention. Not only can a feature bedhead add warmth to the bedroom through its use of colour and texture, but it can also completely reinvest the space. Rather than having to create points of interest through various bed linen or décor, the bedhead can be the real style hero, This means that not only will the rest of the bedroom styling be less effort, but it will also work to elevate mood, something we could all do with in the colder months.