Weathering the seasons: How to transition your decor for year-round beauty
Seasons bring varying magic and challenges, offering opportunities to adjust our spaces; while consistent decor is fine, minor changes like soft furnishings can achieve desired shifts without repainting.
It’s amazing how seasons bring a different kind of magic into our lives every couple of months. Each season has its charm and beauty that makes life’s journey more colourful. Seasons also bring weather that presents unique needs and challenges. And this gives us all an opportunity to change our spaces accordingly.
It’s perfectly alright to keep the same decor all year round. For those who do wish to include some interesting changes, there are some aesthetic and practical considerations. There’s no need to repaint the whole house. Fortunately, soft furnishings and other smaller changes can have a great effect that’ll create the feeling and look you desire.
Small changes, big impact
Changing decor with the seasons may seem frivolous but it used to be a common practice. Households had different sets of curtains, bed linen, even chair covers and rugs for warmer and colder months. During the warm months, the winter items were repaired and thoroughly cleaned and vice versa during summer.
Unfortunately, the high cost of living means very few households can afford a seasonal switch of that extent. What it does teach us is that the practical aspect of it is still quite important. Even in the Southern Hemisphere, there’s a big difference between our summer and winter climates. Changing certain elements of home decor can help keep spaces warmer in winter and much cooler in summer. And it doesn’t have to be extravagant - a few smart choices can achieve the look and feel without breaking the bank.
As the seasons change, so does the ambience of our homes. One of the most impactful ways to transform a space throughout the year is through the strategic use of fabrics. From the light and airy textures of summer to the cosy and plush materials of winter, the fabrics we choose play a crucial role in creating a warm and welcoming environment that evolves with the changing seasons.
By incorporating different fabrics into your home decor, you can effortlessly transition from one season to the next, infusing each room with a sense of style, comfort, and harmony that perfectly complements the time of year.
Top fabric tips for seasonal decor transitions
Rugs and Mats: Switching rugs and doormats can instantly change the feel of a room. Opt for lighter, natural fibre rugs like jute or sisal for a breezy summer vibe, and choose thicker, warmer rugs like wool or faux fur for a cosy winter look.
Window Treatments: Sheer or lightweight fabrics in soft colours allow more natural light during spring and summer. But, in the colder months, heavier drapes can help keep cold drafts out and retain heat inside living areas and bedrooms.
Slipcovers: If you have upholstered furniture, using slipcovers is a versatile option. Choose lighter, cooler fabrics in lighter shades for warmer months, and thicker, warmer fabrics in darker hues for colder seasons. Summer slipcovers have another benefit – cotton or linen feels much nicer against bare legs than wool or velvet. Plus, using a product like FibreGuard means they’ll be more durable with stain-free technology and can easily be machine-washed.
Seasonal Throws and Pillows: Switching out your throw blankets and decorative pillows with different fabrics can instantly add a seasonal touch. Opt for lighter, breathable fabrics like linen or cotton for spring and summer, and cosy materials like velvet or wool for fall and winter. Home Fabrics offers an extensive variety of patterns and designs that also make transitions from summer to winter decor much more fun and visually appealing.
Benefits of seasonal decor switch-ups
For many, the cost of changing decor could be off-putting. There is, however, logic to maintaining different items. If two good quality sets of drapery are purchased and well cared for, they don’t need to be replaced for many years, maybe even decades. A change of a pillowcase into an exciting beautiful fabric is far more cost-effective than reupholstering a sofa or buying new furniture and it also lasts longer.
Slipcovers are certainly worth the investment for dining chairs or living room furniture as they can be cleaned easily, especially if the home enjoys guests or have children who can be free to play without the grown-ups worrying about stains. The ability to use fabric to change decor between seasons using soft furnishings requires one initial investment that yields returns for a long time.
Plan your seasonal home decor
When it comes to planning your seasonal home decor changes, the best place to start is identifying the practical and aesthetic priorities you have. What colours do you enjoy, what design motifs do you prefer, and the specific temperature or textural qualities do you wish to have? Then, it’s time to look at soft furnishings.
If you’re unsure of how to coordinate fabrics or choose the correct products for seasonal decor changes, one of the best places to start your planning is at your local Home Fabrics showroom. Our expert team can advise you on the variety of upholstery and drapery fabric options, taking your home and regional climate challenges into consideration. It’s also a great resource for finding stockists for smaller-scale projects and identifying local interior specialists who can help you create the perfect space for all seasons.
