Avoid falling into a mid-winter slump by transforming your home into a cosy winter retreat with the season's warmer décor trends. Nicky Tyers, one of South Africa's most in-demand interior designers and owner of the exclusive Colonial House Design, shares en-vogue trend predictions and tips on how to create a chic haven to cure the winter chills.

In other places around the world, winter is a time when flowers dry out and lose verve, but here in South Africa, we benefit from lush winter blooms. To beat the winter drab by warming your spirits with displays of exotic winter flowers like birds of paradise, ginger, or tulips. These flowers evoke warmth through their fragrant scents and rich colours.

Add pops of colour

Add pops of colour with floral bouquets to bedrooms, dining rooms, entrances and even bathrooms. Match flowers with vases that have basic wood or ceramic designs so they won't detract from your blooms.

Allergic to certain flowers? No problem! You can still make the floral trend your own by creatively accessorising your space.

Swap out bleak, beige or white curtains with mild floral prints and replace ordinary curtain rods with decorated ones.

Upgrade your bed set to reflect the deep, decadent colour of winter flowers. Utilise deep reds and oranges, vibrant purples and striking blues and greens.

What about wallpaper?

Experiment with textured or patterned wallpapers. Accent these wallpapers with bold circular and geometric, floral-inspired shapes.

Think mirrors or quirky lighting pieces that reflect your personality and design aesthetic.

Be style smart when incorporating warm floral design by incorporating natural sustainable fibres, organic fabrics, renewable woods, bamboo, and recycled materials wherever you can. The results are a healthier home and lower energy bills; a sustainable future is and will always be stylish.

Explore something different this winter season and don't allow your imagination to limit you — be inspired by winter flowers that bring to mind rich, vibrant colour, eccentric shapes, and calming aromas that will warm your mood and may be just what you need to treat those melancholy winter day blues.