There's nothing lovelier than sinking into a soft armchair at the end of a hard day. Soft, warm towels... huggable clothes... they are all simple pleasures that make life a little more nurturing. Here are just a few inspiring ideas to make every corner of your home a touch softer:

• Invest in indulgent nesting clothes to keep you snug on a long winter's night, or for weekend movie watching. Slip into natural-fabric slippers and a soft beanie hat to keep out chills. Hush (www.hush-uk.com, tel 0844 800 4108) is the mail-order home of luxurious lounging clothes: soft slippers, pampering PJs, outsized sloppy jumpers and cosy leggings by post.
• Treat your cupboard to a mini makeover with soft padded hangers – wire hangers are bad news for good clothes.
• Soften fabrics with new Fairy Non Bio Gel, which contains natural ingredients that are designed to work in harmony with your skin. The new Gel is formulated to go in a clever dispenser lid, straight into your washing machine drum. It's released into the heart of your wash, with minimal drips or spills (and no drawer dispenser to clean).
• Give boots and bags a beauty treatment. Moisturise and soften them with leather cream.

• Layer your bed with a duvet, soft blankets and a quilt or throw. Make sure they're all light so they don't weigh you down at night. Sleep experts say your body temperature needs to fall slightly for you to fall asleep, so light, breathable layers will help you rest more soundly.
• Turn your mattress every three months to make sure it wears evenly.
• Lavish TLC on bedlinen with new Fairy Non Bio Gel: irresistibly squeezably soft.

• The biggest trend in interiors right now is colour... colour... and more colour. Escape the cold, clinical look of a pure white bathroom with colourful walls. Paint the side of the bath or the bath panelling with the same vibrant tones.
• If your bathroom is well ventilated add a small upholstered armchair or a wicker chair and cushions for a cosy feel.
• Add a layer of delicately patterned muslin to the outside of a shower curtain to soften the look.
• Display towels on an old wooden ladder or heated towel rail. And store clean towels and toilet rolls in wide wicker baskets.
• Good-quality towels are a sound investment: they will last longer and fade less quickly. The best towels have a deeper pile and are more absorbent, too.

• Replace a coffee table with a big footstool which can double as a perch for feet, books and magazines. Store remotes and rest coffee cups on a mini tray. For a range of ideas and tailor-made designs try The Dormy House (www.thedormyhouse.com, tel 01264 365808).
• Add a shaggy rug or a chunky loop-pile carpet to soften floors. Brightly coloured carpets are making a comeback, and look amazing with wooden furniture and light walls.

• Replace your old bulbs with new energy - efficient ones – the new generation of 'green' bulbs come in soft flattering tones. Find a good range, including dimmable bulbs, at the Ebulbshop online (www.ebulbshop.com).
• Fill glass hurricane lamps with church candles for a soft glow when you have guests for dinner. They can also be used outside when the weather gets warmer.
• Welcome guests on a cold winter's night by lining the path to your front door with tealights in old jam jars.