As the final leaves fall and the landscape is blanketed in frost, winter reveals its serene, magical side. It's a season of introspection, warmth, and comfort—a time when our homes become sanctuaries from the crisp air and long nights. Transforming your living space into a cozy retreat isn't just about aesthetics; it’s about creating an environment that nourishes your soul through sensory richness, intentional design, and seasonal charm.
By embracing the unique qualities of winter—its textures, colors, and rituals—you can cultivate a home that exudes warmth and tranquility, no matter the temperature outside.
Luxurious Layers: Textiles That Warm the Soul
Winter brings with it an instinctive desire to seek warmth, comfort, and serenity. As temperatures drop and evenings grow longer, transforming your living spaces with layered textiles becomes not only a practical choice but an opportunity for aesthetic enrichment. The essence of seasonal home styling lies in thoughtful layering—combining textures, patterns, and materials that evoke a sense of cozy sophistication and tactile indulgence.
Begin this winter transition by retiring summer’s light and airy linens and introducing tactile-rich fabrics that promote warmth and visual dimension. Flannel sheets offer unparalleled comfort and softness, wrapping the body in a cocoon of warmth during frigid nights. Pair them with heavyweight duvets stuffed with down or down alternatives, encased in fabrics like brushed cotton or velvet for a luxurious sleeping experience. Velvet pillow shams, meanwhile, introduce a hint of old-world elegance, with their soft sheen and sumptuous pile reflecting ambient light in the most flattering way.
Chunky cable-knit throws casually draped over the edge of the bed or across a chaise lounge embody both rustic charm and modern refinement. These thick weaves serve a dual purpose—providing heat retention while adding a sculptural element to your decor. For a softer touch, microfleece blankets provide lightweight insulation that’s gentle on the skin and ideal for layering without added bulk.
Inviting Warmth into Living Areas
Creating cozy winter interiors involves more than just bedroom enhancements. The living room and shared spaces also benefit immensely from intentional layering. Consider integrating luxurious faux-fur throws over the arms of leather armchairs or along the backs of settees to immediately evoke a sense of indulgence and invitation. Faux fur, with its visual richness and plush tactility, is both animal-friendly and deeply comforting, especially during the stark months.
Textured cushions play a pivotal role in warming up communal areas. Wool, boucle, and mohair fabrics lend a multidimensional feel, especially when mixed in varying sizes and tones. Don’t hesitate to mix patterns—geometric knits, herringbone weaves, or even Nordic-inspired motifs can inject character and seasonal flair without overwhelming the space.
One often-overlooked yet impactful technique is layering rugs. Begin with a natural fiber base layer like sisal or jute to create an earthy foundation, then top it with a plush Moroccan-style rug or a hand-knotted wool piece. This layering not only enhances thermal insulation but also grounds the room visually, adding richness underfoot and enhancing acoustic softness.
A Palette Inspired by Nature
Winter’s palette is far more diverse than the traditional icy whites and pale grays often associated with the season. Look instead to the quiet drama of the natural world—forest evergreens, midnight skies, frostbitten earth, and the deep crimson of ripened berries. Embracing these moody, immersive tones helps create a home environment that feels grounding, introspective, and deeply restorative.
Oxblood red, forest green, slate gray, and midnight blue are excellent choices for anchoring color schemes. These hues exude elegance and tranquility, creating a cocooning effect that’s perfectly suited to winter’s contemplative nature. Incorporate these shades in accent walls, upholstered furniture, or accessories like drapery and cushions.
To offset the depth of these saturated hues, weave in soft neutrals—think oatmeal, fawn, sand, and warm stone. These shades offer a visual respite, bringing balance and a sense of airiness without undermining the wintry atmosphere. When paired with rich colors, they highlight subtle textures and soften the overall aesthetic.
Metallic finishes, used judiciously, introduce an element of refined contrast. Matte brass, pewter, and blackened bronze are particularly suited to winter decor. These finishes, especially when used on lighting fixtures, picture frames, and mirror borders, mimic the delicate interplay of light on snow-covered branches or frost-laced windows, enhancing the space with a hint of understated glamour.
Illuminating the Season: Lighting Strategies
As daylight dwindles, the role of lighting in home design becomes not just functional, but emotional. The right lighting can emulate the glow of hearth and candlelight, casting a warm, enveloping radiance that transforms rooms into tranquil sanctuaries. The key to achieving this effect lies in employing a multi-tiered lighting strategy.
Start with ambient lighting, which serves as the foundation. Recessed ceiling lights outfitted with dimmer switches offer flexibility, allowing you to adjust brightness according to mood and activity. For a statement piece, consider pendant lights featuring smoked glass or hand-blown glass shades. These sculptural elements not only provide focused illumination but also add artistic character and a moody atmospheric touch.
Layer in secondary lighting through well-placed table and floor lamps. Look for lamps with natural parchment or linen shades; these materials gently diffuse light, preventing glare and creating a soft, inviting ambience. Position these lamps in reading nooks, beside sofas, or near entryways to guide the eye and enhance functionality.
Accent lighting is where magic can truly unfold. Flameless LED candles, when grouped on mantels, staircases, and windowsills, cast a flickering, lifelike glow without the risks of open flame. Use them alongside glass lanterns or clustered inside hurricane jars for added drama. String lights with Edison-style bulbs or delicate twinkle lights draped along curtain rods, headboards, or bookshelves create a whimsical effect that mimics starlight on a clear winter night.
Curating Comfort and Visual Poetry
Creating a warm, layered home for winter is an act of sensory storytelling. It’s about more than merely staying warm—it’s about shaping a space that nurtures, uplifts, and reflects the quiet poetry of the season. Use materials that beg to be touched, colors that resonate emotionally, and lighting that embraces the dimming days with grace.
Every detail—from the grain of a woolen cushion to the shimmer of a bronze sconce—contributes to a greater narrative of comfort and aesthetic richness. The home becomes not just a shelter from the cold, but a curated retreat that nourishes the soul.
Whether you reside in a snow-covered cabin or a downtown apartment, winter is your opportunity to infuse your interior spaces with sumptuous textures, soul-warming colors, and atmospheric light. With a thoughtful approach to layering textiles, selecting a nature-inspired color palette, and executing a dynamic lighting plan, your home can become a seasonal sanctuary where beauty, warmth, and serenity intertwine.
Bringing the Outdoors In
Winter’s charm resides in its quiet elegance, its frozen landscapes, and the delicate hush that blankets the natural world. Bringing the outdoors in during this contemplative season isn’t simply about decoration—it’s about creating a multisensory connection to nature’s stillness and serenity. Incorporating organic elements into your interiors provides grounding energy and infuses the space with subtle vitality.
Start with evergreens—juniper, cedar, and eucalyptus are ideal choices for their long-lasting beauty and distinctive textures. These botanical sprigs, when arranged in stoneware vases or hand-thrown ceramics, lend a refined rusticity to mantels, sideboards, or dining tables. Their soft, resinous fragrance gently perfumes the air, evoking forest walks and frost-covered foliage without overpowering the senses. Choose asymmetrical arrangements or loosely gathered bundles for a look that feels organic rather than staged.
Pinecones, another quintessential winter accent, are easy to style and brimming with natural appeal. Select a variety of sizes and textures and place them in wide wooden bowls or glass cloches. When dusted with faux snow or a touch of glittering mica powder, they capture the glisten of early morning frost. Wreaths made from pinecones, dried citrus slices, and cedar sprigs can adorn walls or interior doors, offering a handcrafted touch that bridges the festive and the seasonal.
Living greenery is a timeless addition during colder months. Small potted evergreens such as Norfolk Island pines, rosemary topiaries, or dwarf blue spruces provide a fresh, forested ambiance and are ideal for entryways, kitchen corners, or sunrooms. Place them in woven jute baskets, galvanized metal containers, or even repurposed crocks to strike a perfect balance between rustic elegance and winter minimalism. Birch logs stacked near a fireplace or styled in tall floor vases lend visual warmth and a Scandinavian-style charm.
To further reflect the raw beauty of nature indoors, consider elements like antler sculptures, river stones in shallow trays, or slices of raw-edge wood as serving platters or candle bases. These tactile additions echo the seasonal landscape and celebrate winter’s quieter, more introspective rhythm.
Artful Walls: Curating Winter-Inspired Pieces
Walls are more than just vertical surfaces—they serve as the emotional core of a room, and during winter, they offer an exceptional opportunity to mirror the mood of the season. Reimagine your wall art to align with the cooler, more contemplative months by swapping out bright, summery prints in favor of winter-evocative imagery and texture-forward pieces.
Abstract snowscapes rendered in thick, expressive brushstrokes convey the atmospheric softness of falling snow and muted skies. Black-and-white landscape photography—particularly of mountains, forests, or frozen lakes—adds drama and tranquility simultaneously. These visuals encapsulate winter’s stillness and invite viewers to pause and reflect.
Framing plays a pivotal role in reinforcing seasonal style. Opt for materials with earthy warmth, such as dark walnut, distressed oak, or reclaimed barnwood. These tones create a grounded, intimate effect that’s visually soothing during the colder months. For those drawn to a touch of luster, metallic frames in antique gold, tarnished brass, or weathered silver offer elegant contrast and help reflect ambient lighting from nearby fixtures or candles.
To add personality and artisanal flair, create a curated gallery wall with nature sketches, vintage botanical illustrations, or calligraphed seasonal quotes. Choose winter-themed excerpts from poetry or literature—think passages from Frost or Brontë—that speak to the season’s quiet depth. Mix different frame sizes and finishes for a layered, collected-over-time feel. Tactile art forms such as fabric hangings, carved wood reliefs, or mixed-media shadow boxes further enhance the sensory richness of your walls.
Artwork doesn’t need to be confined to traditional media. Consider mirrors with carved or oxidized frames, driftwood sculptures, or wreaths fashioned from dried florals and moss. These pieces continue the natural narrative and reflect a sophisticated, nature-inspired approach to winter decorating.
Aromatic Ambience: Scents of the Season
Winter interiors are incomplete without a carefully curated aromatic landscape. Scent plays an essential role in shaping the emotional tone of a space, triggering memory, comfort, and mood with each breath. During the colder months, prioritize warm, resinous, and spiced fragrances that enhance your home’s cozy, welcoming atmosphere.
Essential oil diffusers are a modern, flameless way to infuse the air with seasonal fragrance. Select blends that include notes of balsam fir, white spruce, smoked vanilla, or cardamom clove. These complex, nuanced aromas bring the forest indoors, conjuring imagery of snow-draped pines and crackling fireplaces. Spiced chai and gingerbread blends add a gourmand layer that subtly mimics the indulgences of winter baking without overwhelming the senses.
For a more traditional approach, try a stovetop potpourri. Simmer sliced oranges, cinnamon sticks, star anise, fresh cranberries, and whole cloves in water for an olfactory experience that’s as beautiful as it is aromatic. The rising steam carries a nostalgic scent through the home, warming both air and spirit. This simple ritual invites presence and creates a multisensory embrace that enhances everyday life.
Candles remain an indispensable element of winter ambiance. Choose beeswax for a clean, long-burning option that also exudes a soft honeyed aroma. Soy or coconut wax candles infused with woodsy or spiced essential oils can be clustered on trays, shelves, or bathroom vanities to bring flickering warmth to every corner. Place them in varied holders—amber glass jars, raw ceramic cups, or antique brass candlesticks—to add interest and dimension to your decor.
Don’t overlook scent layering throughout the home. Linen sprays with winter botanicals can refresh blankets or upholstered furniture, while sachets of lavender and cedarwood placed in drawers or closets extend the sensory experience to personal spaces. Reed diffusers in entryways or powder rooms maintain continuous fragrance, offering a subtle yet effective greeting for guests and residents alike.
Crafting a Seasonal Sanctuary
Infusing your home with natural textures, evocative visuals, and immersive scents transforms it into a seasonal sanctuary—one that invites rest, reflection, and reconnection. As winter unfolds, let your space echo its quiet grace and poetic solitude. Embrace the beauty of bare branches, the allure of candlelit corners, and the aroma of spice and pine.
Each layer—from a foraged wreath to a moody art piece, from a flickering beeswax candle to a bowl of snow-dusted pinecones—contributes to a cohesive, atmospheric narrative that aligns your interior with the season’s unique soul. More than mere decoration, this approach is about storytelling: crafting a home that reflects not only the visual but the emotional landscapes of winter.
Whether you’re nestled in a mountain cottage or a city loft, these design strategies allow you to bring the beauty of the outdoors in while cultivating a sense of place, purpose, and peace. Through texture, scent, and thoughtful detail, your home becomes a haven—a deeply personal retreat that warms the body and nourishes the spirit through winter and beyond.
Functional Storage with Style
As the colder months settle in, homes naturally accumulate additional layers—both in decor and daily life. Blankets, scarves, extra duvets, and winter accessories become essential, yet managing this influx doesn’t require sacrificing aesthetic harmony. In fact, with a bit of intentionality, storage solutions can become an elegant extension of your interior design narrative.
Start by incorporating storage baskets crafted from natural fibers such as wicker, seagrass, or rattan. These containers, when lined with wool, cotton flannel, or burlap, offer a refined rusticity that blends seamlessly into winter-inspired interiors. Position them strategically beneath console tables, beside armchairs, or near the fireplace. Rolled throws stored in these vessels not only remain within reach but also contribute to the room’s visual warmth.
A vintage steamer trunk is an ideal dual-purpose piece that marries form with function. Placed at the foot of a bed or beside a sofa, it provides ample room for storing chunky knit blankets, board games, or seasonal décor items. Its weathered surface acts as a charming base for styling—top it with a wooden tray, a stack of classic novels, or a grouping of pillar candles to further integrate it into the room’s aesthetic.
Wall-mounted hooks crafted from wrought iron, forged brass, or reclaimed wood offer compact storage with visual interest. Use them to hang hand-knit scarves, wool mittens, and even lanterns for a hint of cottagecore charm. In entryways, a series of hooks can transform blank walls into functional winter-ready stations, especially when paired with a bench and boot tray. The interplay of utilitarian features and cozy accents creates a curated look that elevates simple organization into interior artistry.
Energy-Efficient Warmth
Maintaining a cozy atmosphere during winter goes beyond aesthetics—it also involves practical, energy-conscious choices. Keeping your space warm while reducing your carbon footprint and utility costs is achievable through intelligent layering and modern efficiency upgrades.
Thermal-lined curtains serve as one of the most impactful ways to insulate a space without compromising elegance. These thick panels help trap heat and block out cold drafts from windows, all while adding a sense of dramatic softness to your interiors. Opt for rich fabrics like velvet, heavy linen, or brushed twill in shades that complement your winter color palette—think heathered gray, ochre, or deep evergreen.
Another simple yet effective addition is a door sweep installed beneath exterior doors. This small intervention helps seal out cold air and conserve heat, particularly in older homes. For a touch of handcrafted charm, use wool or tweed door snakes—a nostalgic yet effective solution that adds character to otherwise utilitarian corners.
A smart thermostat is a more high-tech approach to temperature regulation. These devices learn your daily routine and adjust heating schedules accordingly, providing comfort when you're home and conserving energy when you're not. Pair this with zoning strategies to ensure you’re only heating the areas in use. This level of control ensures a consistently warm environment without unnecessary energy consumption.
For nighttime comfort, layering becomes key. A heated mattress pad allows for localized warmth exactly where you need it—eliminating the need to raise the thermostat for the entire household. Combine it with brushed flannel sheets, a wool blanket, and a heavyweight duvet for a sleeping experience that feels cocooned and luxurious.
Dining with Seasonal Flair
Winter offers a perfect opportunity to transform everyday meals into intimate, atmospheric experiences. Your dining space, often the heart of seasonal gatherings, can be easily infused with warmth, texture, and seasonal nuance using natural materials and thoughtful layering.
Begin with a foundational element—a runner made of linen, washed cotton, or heavyweight canvas in rich seasonal tones. Shades like deep burgundy, inky charcoal, or fig evoke the depth and richness of the colder months. These textiles introduce softness and movement while anchoring the table visually.
Next, layer your place settings with rustic stoneware plates that celebrate organic shapes and matte glazes. These understated yet tactile surfaces contrast beautifully with wooden chargers—preferably cut from reclaimed wood or finished with a natural oil. This grounding layer creates a farmhouse-inspired backdrop that invites slow, savoring meals and lingering conversations.
Vintage-style flatware in pewter or antique bronze introduces metallic depth without the harsh shine of polished silver. These pieces, aged and refined, bridge rustic simplicity with heritage elegance. Use cloth napkins in natural fibers, tied with twine or dressed with a sprig of rosemary, to complete each setting with understated charm.
Lighting plays a pivotal role in the dining experience. Use beeswax or soy candles in brass or iron holders to cast a warm, ambient glow across the table. Cluster multiple heights for dimension, or opt for a single dramatic candelabra for architectural interest. The flicker of candlelight not only warms the space physically but also enhances the intimacy of every meal.
Centerpieces should celebrate nature’s winter bounty. Create arrangements with dried florals, foraged evergreens, seed pods, or berries displayed in aged clay vessels or vintage apothecary jars. These tactile, seasonal compositions offer a sculptural focal point without overwhelming the table’s functionality. A well-chosen centerpiece brings the essence of the winter landscape into your home, blurring the line between indoor comfort and the natural world beyond.
Creating a Harmonious Winter Retreat
Each of these elements—smart storage, energy-efficient upgrades, and seasonal dining decor—contributes to a holistic winter retreat. Designing a home that supports both your practical needs and your aesthetic sensibilities creates an environment that is not only beautiful but also deeply livable.
Intentionality is key. Choose pieces that serve multiple purposes, embrace materials that echo nature, and incorporate design elements that comfort both body and mind. Whether it’s the soft whisper of a wool curtain, the tactile pleasure of hand-glazed ceramics, or the scent of pine needles hanging in the air, each detail should work together to foster warmth, calm, and continuity throughout the season.
Winter doesn’t demand opulence—it thrives on intimacy, texture, and thoughtful design. With the right elements in place, your home can become a place of restoration, reflection, and refined comfort—a space that nourishes and welcomes through every snow-laced morning and fire-lit night.
Cozy Technology: Gadgets for Comfort
In an era where technology intertwines with daily life, winter is the perfect time to harness smart innovations that elevate both comfort and ambiance. While traditional design elements ground your home in tactile warmth, incorporating modern conveniences can deepen your seasonal sanctuary and enhance daily rituals without disrupting aesthetic flow.
Begin with one of the most transformative winter upgrades: an electric fireplace insert. These contemporary alternatives to traditional hearths offer flickering flame effects that mimic real wood-burning fires, complete with glowing embers and crackling visuals. Most units are ventless and require minimal installation, making them ideal for apartments or homes without chimneys. With adjustable heat settings and remote controls, they create ambiance and warmth at the push of a button, offering both visual pleasure and practical heat distribution.
Another indispensable winter luxury is a heated mattress pad. Designed to pre-warm your sleeping space before bedtime, it allows you to lower the thermostat overnight without compromising comfort. Dual-zone models offer separate controls for each side of the bed, catering to individual preferences and promoting restful sleep during the chilliest nights.
For those who spend long hours working from home or curled up with a favorite book, small tech enhancements can significantly improve your experience. A smart mug warmer ensures your tea, cocoa, or coffee remains at an optimal sipping temperature throughout your morning routine or creative session. These sleek devices often come with auto shut-off features and adjustable heat levels, blending functionality with peace of mind.
Ambient control also plays a critical role in winter well-being. Smart lighting systems allow you to adjust brightness and hue with voice commands or mobile apps—perfect for tailoring light levels to reading, entertaining, or winding down. Schedule warm-toned lighting in the early evening to mimic sunset and promote a natural transition to relaxation. Dimmable lights and programmable scenes help cultivate the golden-hour glow that makes winter interiors feel both grounded and magical.
Maximizing Small Spaces
Living in a compact space doesn’t mean sacrificing seasonal comfort or style. In fact, small homes often offer a greater opportunity to curate every inch with intention, transforming nooks and corners into enclaves of serenity and warmth. With strategic design choices, even the coziest apartments can become havens of winter charm.
Opt for multifunctional furniture that serves dual roles in style and utility. Replace traditional coffee tables with tufted ottomans featuring hidden storage—ideal for stashing wool throws, books, board games, or seasonal slippers. These soft surfaces invite impromptu lounging and double as extra seating when entertaining guests.
Fold-away lap desks are another savvy inclusion, particularly for those balancing remote work with home life. Use them for journaling, sketching, or video calls beside the fireplace, then slide them under sofas or beds when not in use. Their lightweight, collapsible design ensures adaptability without clutter.
Wall-mounted shelving units not only save precious floor space but also act as platforms for creative storytelling. Use these vertical surfaces to craft winter vignettes: groupings of beeswax candles, framed snow-dusted photographs, hand-thrown pottery, and foraged branches. Each shelf becomes an expression of seasonality and intention.
Floor cushions made from wool, velvet, or boucle add texture and flexibility to small rooms. Stack them in corners or tuck them under benches for impromptu seating around the coffee table or a game board. They offer plush comfort and casual elegance without occupying permanent space.
Layered textiles bring essential depth to compact interiors. Drape thick cable-knit throws over armchairs, use sheepskin or felted rugs to define reading areas, and incorporate heavy curtains in wintry hues to add visual weight without closing in the space. In small rooms, each layer speaks volumes—enhancing warmth, softening acoustics, and establishing a curated ambiance.
Embracing Hygge: Simple Winter Rituals
While design plays a critical role in shaping winter comfort, true coziness is achieved through daily rituals that nurture the soul. The Danish concept of hygge—a lifestyle rooted in contentment, mindfulness, and simple pleasures—embodies the heart of a winter well-lived. Integrating these rituals into your home invites tranquility and presence into every cold-weather day.
Begin with intentional slowing. Establish a nightly routine that helps you unwind and reconnect. Brew a mug of herbal tea—chamomile, rooibos, or elderflower—in a hand-molded ceramic vessel. Wrap yourself in a woolen shawl or oversized scarf and let the warmth envelope you as you light a cedarwood or amber-scented candle. The glow, the scent, the warmth—each detail creates a cocoon of calm.
Prioritize analog pleasures that offer tactile satisfaction and mental stillness. Pick up a paperback novel with a well-worn spine, flip through a beloved photo album, or revisit a neglected knitting project. These quiet activities create a gentle rhythm that aligns beautifully with the slower pace of the season.
Shared rituals bring an added layer of joy. Host impromptu game nights lit by candlelight, pen heartfelt letters to faraway friends, or bake bread while soft jazz hums in the background. Even watching snowfall from a candlelit windowsill, hot drink in hand, can become a moment of grounding serenity. Hygge is not about elaborate gestures—it’s about presence, intention, and warmth.
Design your space to support these moments. Keep cozy corners well-stocked with essentials: a reading lamp, soft throw, side table, and a rotating selection of winter comforts. These spaces become sanctuaries—quiet zones where rest and ritual take precedence.
Creating Your Seasonal Sanctuary
As the season deepens and winter asserts its quiet command, your home should transform into a true sanctuary—one that reflects both the rhythms of nature and your inner landscape. Cold winds and early nights are not obstacles to be endured but invitations to create spaces steeped in meaning, beauty, and restorative warmth.
Layered textiles remain the cornerstone of seasonal transformation. Think beyond simple throws—add drapery with tactile appeal, plush rugs over natural fiber mats, and upholstery in boucle or brushed twill. Every surface should invite touch, every room should offer refuge.
Nature-inspired palettes draw your interiors closer to the outside world. Embrace moody forest greens, winter berries, slate blues, and rich soil tones balanced by neutral accents in stone, linen, and bone. These hues anchor your space in the season while maintaining visual harmony and emotional resonance.
Lighting, both natural and crafted, becomes a tool for emotional storytelling. From flickering candles to dimmable pendant lights and programmable smart bulbs, let your home glow in layers, shifting with time and mood. Shadows and golden warmth play a vital role in cultivating intimacy and comfort.
Lastly, let your winter retreat speak to who you are. Mix heritage pieces with modern essentials, blend technology with tactile tradition, and allow daily rituals to shape the emotional core of your environment. A home crafted in winter’s image is not just cozy—it’s intentional, emotive, and deeply personal.
Final Thoughts
As winter 2025 wraps the world in its quiet, contemplative hush, there's no better time to slow down and reconnect with the essence of home. Transforming your space into a cozy retreat isn't about grand renovations—it's about small, intentional choices that enrich your daily life. From plush textures and ambient lighting to nature-inspired décor and heartwarming rituals, each element plays a role in crafting a sanctuary that shields you from the cold and invites you to linger in the moment.
Let your home reflect the soul of the season—still, serene, and deeply comforting. Whether you're sharing spiced tea by the fireplace, curling up with a wool throw and a novel, or simply enjoying the scent of simmering oranges and cloves, remember that winter’s beauty lies in its ability to quiet the noise and bring us closer to ourselves and those we cherish. Embrace the season fully, and let your home be a place where warmth lives, no matter the temperature outside.
