Winter is the season where relaxing on the deck on warm nights are replaced by cosy nights wrapped up on the lounge, with plump cushions, luxurious blankets and soft rugs underfoot keeping the winter blues at bay.

So what's in style this winter when it comes to interior design? Three leading interior designers in Newcastle offer their thoughts.

Morag Argiris,

Flourish Interior Design

Morag Argiris has been working as an interior designer for four years and has quickly established herself as one of the most sought-after interior designers in the city.

Her focus is on layering tactile, exotic materials in moody shades to create spaces with character and opulence.

Argiris predicts the coming season will bring trends including geographical patterns and metallic shades.

"Sharp shapes in monochrome is a trend I have noticed throughout Newcastle and the Hunter recently. Using a geometrical-patterned wallpaper on a feature wall is a easy way to change the mood of a room and it's cheaper than you'd think," she says.

"Travelling back to turn of the century by using bold or brassy shades like bronze, rose gold, gold and silver can bring an instant sense of opulence to your room. Include punches of metallic in your lighting or ornaments to make a dull space shine with character and style."

Stewart Horton,

Horton & Co Designers

Stewart Horton returned to Newcastle after a 15-year stint in Sydney, which solidified his reputation as absolutely visionary when it comes to design.

He describes his style as "eclectic and joyful with a bold use of colour and pattern".

Horton's sensitivity to his clients' needs means no two spaces he works with look or feel the same.

He says the coming cool season will bring earthy, homely trends that include checks and plaids, and "faux bois" - French for "false wood".

"Checks, be it checkerboards and gingham to tartans and plaids, give a great winter feel and can transcend all interior styles from very traditional to completely contemporary. In fabrics and soft furnishings or ceramics and art, a pop of geometry can add visual interest to any scheme," he says.

"When it comes to faux bois, think roaring firewood on cosy winter nights. Timber print on furniture and fabrics creates instant warmth in a space. Brinton's carpets have just released a wall-to-wall carpet called Grain De Bois, which is a subtle but quirky way to introduce wood into your theme."

Wendy Green,

Wow Factor

Wendy Green established Wow Factor 11 years ago after extensive experience in the building industry.

Her colourful, widely varied resume includes fitting out a restaurant in a train carriage and giving colour advice to a funeral home, among scores of homes and commercial properties in Newcastle and beyond.

Green's focus is on clean and contemporary finishes, with a focus on line, shape and style.

She says the coming season will bring a move towards Scandinavian-inspired design and an embracing of soft greys.

"The next trend I think will be away from the rich browns and more towards the grey tones as far as colour goes. From a decorating perspective, we are seeing a huge trend toward a more Scandinavian look, particularly in furniture. Light timbers, lots of furniture with timber legs, and a real retro feel. Organic textured fabrics and pops of lovely bright colours."