Room Refresh: The Winter Season Edition
This article, part of our Room Refresh series, explores healthy, seasonal swaps that help your interiors respond to winter’s arrival, keeping your home as a place of refuge.
WORDS Elissa Rose
As temperatures drop and daylight fades, the way we use our homes begins to change. We spend more time indoors. We seek out softness and warmth. We crave quiet, grounding rituals and spaces that feel comforting, not just functional.
Now is the time to gently prepare your home for the season ahead. These are not drastic overhauls, but small, intentional swaps, such as tactile materials that help insulate and calm, layered lighting to offset the early dark, ceramics and scents that echo the rhythms of a slower pace. In this edition of our Room Refresh series, we look at how to ready your space for the colder months with a few healthy, considered changes. Here’s how to transition your home with wellbeing in mind.
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Tile Throw in Marble by Teixidors. Photo courtesy of Teixidors |
Straits Reversible Throw in Ivory & Cacao by Blacksaw. Photo courtesy of Blacksaw |
Layer Natural Textiles for Warmth and Insulation
At this time of year, textiles become more than just decorative, they help regulate indoor temperature, soften acoustics and create a sense of comfort. Many conventional soft furnishings, however, are made from polyester or blended fabrics treated with chemical dyes, flame retardants or wrinkle-resistant finishes. These materials can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and shed microplastics during washing or daily use.
Heavy synthetic rugs, for example, are often backed with glues that off-gas, while acrylic throws can trap static and contribute to indoor dust. Replacing these with more breathable, natural alternatives can reduce chemical exposure and improve air quality, especially in spaces where windows remain closed for longer during colder months.
Healthier Change:
Swap in wool, cashmere, alpaca or organic cotton throws such as the lovely ranges provided by Teixidors, Oyuna and Blacksaw heavier pillows, naturally lined curtains and wool rugs to retain warmth without the need for synthetics. Natural fibers are not only more breathable and biodegradable, but also help regulate humidity and reduce airborne dust.
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Obasan's Organic Latex Rubber Pillow. Photo courtesy of Obasan |
Naturepedic's Organic Supima Cotton Sheets and Pillowcases. Photo courtesy of Naturepedic |
Transition to Winter Bedding
Bedding materials have a direct impact on your sleep quality, especially in winter months, when breathability and insulation work together to support deep rest. Synthetic duvet fillings or tightly woven polyester sheets can trap heat and moisture, leading to night sweats or overheating.
Moreover, bedding treated with flame-retardant chemicals may release irritants over time. Children and those with sensitive skin are especially vulnerable to the low-level chemical exposure associated with conventional bedding.
Healthier Change:
Switch to a winter-weight wool or down duvet, and layer with brushed flannel, washed linen or heavyweight organic cotton sheets. Naturepedic have created sheet sets and duvet covers, while Obasan crafts duvets, mattress toppers and pillows – all of them are as healthy as they are beautiful. A quilted coverlet or wool blanket at the foot of the bed adds adjustable warmth for colder nights. Look for GOTS-certified or OEKO-TEX-certified options to ensure chemical safety and responsible sourcing.
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&Tradition's Como SC53 Lamp in brass. Photo courtesy of &Tradition |
Asano's Paper Moon 5 Washi Table Light. Photo courtesy of Ameico |
Layer Lighting for Comfort and Circadian Support
As natural daylight diminishes, artificial light takes center stage. But many overhead bulbs emit harsh, cool-toned light that can strain the eyes and disrupt melatonin production, especially in the evening hours.
Long exposure to bright blue light from LEDs or screens can suppress sleep hormones and contribute to fatigue and poor focus. Creating warmer pools of light and varied intensity helps balance energy levels and maintain a sense of rhythm.
Healthier Change:
Swap in low-glow table lamps, dimmable floor lamps, or shaded wall sconces with warm-toned bulbs (2700K or lower). Use beeswax candles like those made by Wax Atelier and The Quiet Botanist, or natural oil diffusers with a soft amber glow for ambient light in bedrooms or living areas. Avoid overhead lighting where possible and use layered sources for a more soothing visual environment.
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Serax Coffee Cup with Saucer in Indi Grey. Photo courtesy of Serax |
Kate Hume's mouth-blow vase for When Objects Work in brown. Photo courtesy of When Objects Work |
Bring in Heavier Ceramics and Seasonal Tableware
Tableware doesn’t just serve a functional purpose, it also sets the emotional tone for mealtimes. Lighter pieces in summer give way to deeper glazes, matte finishes and weightier forms for winter celebrations, evoking a comforting sense of presence.
Conventional ceramics can contain glazes with lead or cadmium, while inexpensive, mass-produced pieces are often not made to last. Glassware and high-fired ceramics, on the other hand, are more durable and safer for everyday use. Glass, in particular, lends a certain refractive quality to twinkling seasonal light.
Healthier Change:
Rotate in hand-thrown mugs and serving dishes in earth tones and ceramic oven pieces that hold warmth and pair well with seasonal meals. Mouth-blown tumblers or structural glassware add brightness and amplify candlelight, while vases make beautiful centerpieces. Pair with linen napkins, like those from Standard Affair, for a sensory lift and added softness at the table.
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Hand-poured coconut-and-beeswax blend candle by The Quiet Botanist. Photo courtesy of The Quiet Botanist |
Carol Leskanic Candleholders in traditional white gesso. Photo courtesy of Carol Leskanic |
Shift Scent Toward Grounding Notes
Our sense of smell is closely tied to memory and emotion, and shifting the scent of a space can have an immediate impact on how it feels. Many synthetic candles and air fresheners contain phthalates and undisclosed ‘fragrance’ chemicals, which can irritate the respiratory system and contribute to indoor air pollution. Winter calls for deeper, resinous scents that promote rest and introspection, without the toxic load of artificial fragrance.
Healthier Change:
Use therapeutic-grade essential oils like vetiver, cedarwood or frankincense in a ceramic diffuser, or opt for natural incense and non-toxic soy or beeswax candles. Even a simple bowl of warm water with a few drops of oil placed near a heat source can gently infuse a space with scent.
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Uma Brass Wall Sconce by Fells Andes. Photo courtesy of Fells Andes |
Spencer Peterman's Spalted Maple Round Wooden Bowl. Photo courtesy of Spencer Peterman |
Use Materials That Reflect Light and Retain Warmth
As sunlight wanes, your interiors can still feel bright and layered if you use materials that reflect and retain warmth. Hard, shiny plastics can feel cold and dissonant this time of year, while organic textures offer more visual softness and thermal comfort.
Healthier Change:
Look to brass or copper accents like the iconic Fells Andes ‘Uma’ wall sconce that catch candlelight, stoneware cups from makers like Robynn Storgaard that retain heat longer, and natural wood bowls or serving boards that add depth and texture to surfaces.
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The Heather Pillow Collection handcrafted by Maria Sigma. Photo courtesy of WLLW |
Colder months invite us to slow down and turn inward, and your home can support that shift in a healthy way with a few thoughtful adjustments. These seasonal swaps don’t require a full redesign, just a rebalancing of what you already have and what you choose to bring in. Whether it’s the warmth of wool underfoot, the glow of candlelight, or the grounding scent of cedarwood in the air, each change beckons you to settle into the season with more comfort.
Find a range of healthy and sustainable products for your home by exploring our makers at the WLLW Shop.
Disclaimer: Some recommendations in this article refer to essential oils. Opt for therapeutic-grade oils and remember that individual sensitivities vary. Those who are pregnant, have underlying conditions or are unsure about suitability should consult a qualified professional before use.
Feature Image: Interior by And Studio. Photography by Nicole Franzen
Photography: Teixidors, Blacksaw, Obasan, Naturepedic, &Tradition, Ameico, Serax, When Objects Work, The Quiet Botanist, Carol Leskanic, Fells Andes, Spencer Peterman
