There’s nothing like a blissfully fluffy bed you can just sink into when it’s cold outside. Accomplish that warm, sleep-inducing feeling by layering your bedding. If you have been using a lightweight quilt for the summer, switch it out for a fluffy comforter or a duvet with a nice, plush insert. Follow that up by introducing more bedding layers for fall. Fresh sheets paired with a nice down filled duvet and a knit throw or faux fur blanket at the foot of the bed create a comfy combo for cooler months.

If you don’t want to completely ditch the summer quilt, give it a quarter fold and lay it at the foot of your bed over your warmer blankets. Guest rooms are an especially good place to practice layering blankets and sheets of different weights and warmth. This kind of layered bedding allows your guests to choose how many blankets they need to sleep comfortably.

If you share a bed with someone whose temperature tends to run hot at night, opt for cooling sheets and simple layers like throws or lightweight quilts that can be easily used by one person as needed.

Though it may not be your first instinct, light can be a powerful choice when adding layering to your home. Overhead lighting can feel a bit clinical at times. Soften it by mixing different light sources, placed at various height levels throughout your space. Layering your lighting like this can add more depth and warmth to your home by evenly distributing light throughout the space.

Play with layered lighting to create the right ambiance in each area. In a living room, opt for a pendant or chandelier in addition to your recessed lights. This helps define the main territory by creating a visual anchor from above. It also gives you an opportunity to set the tone of the room by choosing a light fixture with a design that fits your style.

For walls, you might consider using sconces above artwork, flanking a fireplace or along an adjoining hallway. This warms up the walls, makes artwork feel more high-end and highlights architecture.

To bring that visual warmth to eye and ground level, add table or floor lamps. Lamps are ideal for seating areas as they provide a welcoming and functional glow when paired with a cozy reading chair. This will help your space feel more inviting since people naturally feel drawn to warmer light sources.

When adding in new lighting features, stay mindful of the Kelvin scale (warmth) of your bulbs. Use warmer bulbs at around 2700 Kelvin as this temperature best replicates the light found in nature, which puts most people at ease. When you mix bulb temperatures, it can feel psychologically jarring, so it’s important to stick with a consistent light temperature.

Layering your window treatments will add visual drama to your walls and can also help keep the cold from seeping into your home. There are many ways to approach layering your window treatments, but it’s important to work with materials that filter your light in different ways.

For example, if you use a black out roman shade, you may want to work with a lighter weight curtain to balance out the look. This also allows you to customize the amount of light that flows into your space. You can block out the light completely when the shades are down or utilize only the curtains to create a diffused light.

If you are looking to create a more relaxed aesthetic, consider pairing a bamboo shade with a lightweight linen curtain. Or, for a more upscale vibe, you may want to opt for a roman shade coupled with a heavier velvet curtain in a nice champagne or jewel tone color.

Designer Tip: remember to hang your curtain rod just above your window frame. This will create the illusion of extra height in your room, and make it appear that your windows are more elongated and taller than they really are.

Now that you’ve learned about the cozy benefits of layering, shop our selection of bedding, lighting, and window treatments to make your home as cozy and welcoming as possible.