Have you ever walked into a space and instantly felt comfortable? The type of place that feels warm and inviting and somehow you instantly feel like you can take your shoes off and tuck your legs up on the couch. I’m fascinated by the secret sauce of how a space can transition our moods and energy.
Like almost everything with design, I’ve come to learn that the creation of an inviting space is not the result of one thing. The ‘je ne ais quoi’ is a curation of many elements, brought together in a way that brings up unconscious emotion. The spaces that do this best subtly stimulate each of our primary senses in the best way possible, making you feel safe, welcome, and at ease.
Here are a few of my go-to tips to evoke your senses and bring warmth to any space.
Sight My favorite way to add warmth is by embracing a palette of deep, muted tones. The hot colour predictions across fashion and interiors for 2025 are perfect for creating a cozy space. Say goodbye to cold white, and hello to warm tones like rich burgundy, earthy browns, warm greens, and deep mustard yellows. You can go all-out by colour drenching your space or add more subtle hits by incorporating them into accents such as throw pillows, blankets, or décor. The warm colour palette of 2025 extends to woods as well, moving from cool white oak to warmer tones being incorporated into hardwood flooring and millwork.
Do not overlook the importance of lighting when looking to warm up your home. All your investment will be for not if your space is overly bright or lit with bulbs that have a cool color temperature. Incorporate multiple layers of lighting (minimum of three) and invest in dimmers. Seriously, ALL the dimmers. Create a cozy base that mimics the natural light during sunset by ensuring your bulbs are a warm color temperature. Use accent lighting to create depth and interest by highlighting your favorite artwork or architectural features and use candlelight to create additional warmth and movement.
Smell I once read a study that found people’s perception of cleanliness in public washrooms was more dependent on smell than on sight. Meaning, that people perceived dirty washrooms as cleaner when the washrooms simply smelt clean. This study stuck with me and highlighted the critical importance of smell in our perception of any space. If you’re looking to create a warm, inviting space, ensure you incorporate inviting smells. Candles are an obvious choice but some beautiful new diffusers on the market can be incorporated as a piece of décor into your home. Don’t overlook yummy-smelling hand soap in your kitchen and guest bathroom as they add a luxurious touch.
Touch Who are my sensory feeling sisters? Hands up! Do you feel this instant need to touch EVERYTHING when you walk into a store? I run my hands across velvet sofas, feel cashmere between my fingers, and have the urge to curl up and bury my face in every linen bedding display I see. Texture is such a powerful element of design. Consider those textures that not only visually create interest and warmth, but also are appealing to the touch. My go-to is warm, natural materials, like wool, cashmere, and linen. Boucle is everywhere right now and is a wonderful way to add interest and warmth to any space. Throw blankets and pillows are an obvious and easy way to add texture but don’t forget the importance of your investment pieces, like your couch, chairs, and rug. Quality, timeless material in durable natural fabrics will make the biggest impact in warming up your space and last for years to come.
So my friends, dim those lights, light those (holiday spice) candles, grab those rich moody throw pillows and happy entertaining. I can’t wait for my invite.
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Designer Kristyn Gerth is the founder and Creative Director for Montreal-based Oak + Ash Interiors. Respected for creating highly tailored, comfortable interiors that reflect and enhance how you live. They offer full-service residential design and new-build construction and renovation and e-design servicing Quebec, Ontario, GTA ashandoakinteriors.com @ashandoakinteriors