CAN you believe it’s already autumn, which means winter is just around the corner.

When the icy weather hits, it’s lovely to come home to a place that exudes a warm and welcoming ambience as soon as you walk in the door.

Well, with very little effort you can easily create that cosy appeal in your own home with some simple but savvy design features, and it doesn’t have to be costly. You can warm up your home’s visual appeal with just a few accessories in colours and textures that will chase those cold weather blues far, far away.

Colour and texture are winners when it comes to creating a cosy look, making your living spaces, your kitchen, the bedrooms, hallways and even the bathroom warm and inviting on those cold winter nights.

Go plush. Heavier fabrics, seasonal designs and soft snuggly throws will all bring an extra layer of warmth and comfort to your rooms.

Look for thick textured weaves in soft fibres and if you have any tucked away in the cupboard, pull out those heirloom and country style quilts.

They add a wonderful layer of cosy nostalgia to a bedroom and even a smaller quilt will look attractive draped over a chair or make a wonderfully cuddly throw for an evening snuggled up on the couch.

If you have a fireplace, rearrange the furniture, if possible, to create a conversation area around the fire. If that’s not an option though, you can still draw attention to the fireplace with some clever decorative touches that will still make it the focus of the room and spread the visual warmth throughout.

Hallways are often overlooked when it comes to creating a warmer space, but you can remedy this and brighten yours with a good quality hall runner that is soft underfoot. It will not only brighten your hallway but keep it warmer too.

Thick, soft floor rugs will do wonders for warming up any room. Even if the room already has a floor covering, a rug will add that extra layer of comfort.

Colour is your best friend for creating a cosy ambience, so accessorise with spicy reds and vibrant tangerines, deep moody blues, mossy greens and soft olive tones. Compliment them with rich creams, warm whites and pastel greys and then wrap it all up with elements of earthy forest tones.

These colours work wonderfully well in creating the appeal of a warm, winter haven, making them the ideal hues for cuddly throw rugs, big snuggly cushions and thick, soft floor rugs.

These colours will also work beautifully as warming elements in your kitchen too. Look for accessories that will add those pops of colour.

A plant pot for the windowsill, a decorative plate for the wall, or even a picture of brightly-hued vegetables. They will all help to draw in the cosy ambience you want to create.

Use lamps to brighten shadowy spaces and dim corners, and candles for softer, more ambient lighting.

Replace the table runner with a long fine-knit scarf, or use a thin blanket in a warm hue as a tablecloth. It will give an inviting touch to your dining area.

Opt for thick, luxurious towels in the bathroom and a soft, generously-sized bath mat, as both will create a comfortable and welcoming space.

Bathrooms can be chilly places sometimes, but a few simple additions can make all the difference. It’s all about creating that look and feel of warmth and comfort.

What could be better?

Make your home your favourite place this winter.