14 Ways To Make Your Home Feel Cozier

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I live for throw pillows, essential oils, throw blankets, and a warm fire in a fireplace. Doesn’t that just sound amazing and oh, so cozy? I’ve always gravitated toward warm and cozy spaces, much like those in Nancy Meyers’s films (Something’s Gotta Give, Father of the Bride, The Holiday, and so many more). If you ask me, The Holiday is the best film that exhibits coziness. I mean, Iris’s cottage is #cottagecore! So cozy! That’s because whether the spaces are light or dark, they are thoughtful and feel so lived-in and loved. A cozy home is often created (and collected) over time, and with careful effort. A cozy home with cozy vibes is one that feels welcoming, comfortable, and warm. You can achieve a cozy aesthetic no matter your personal design style or taste. In this blog post, I’m sharing 14 ways to make your home feel cozier!

What Is “Cozy”? And Where To Start To Make Your Home Feel Cozier

Generally, the term cozy references a warm, comfortable, and welcoming environment. Cozy, by literal definition, means “giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation.” It can also refer to the size of a space – cozy can be a kinder way of saying that a room is small but still warm and welcoming. And the first place I like to start to bring in the cozy vibes is the entryway. A warming entryway is the first part of the home that you, your family, and your guests will see, and it should invite you to leave the cold, wet weather and any of the day’s bad vibes at the door. It’s the best first place to start to make your home feel cozier. I would recommend that you create an entryway that feels both functional and welcoming, with room for guests to leave umbrellas, coats, hats, and scarves. If possible, add a bench or chair, so weary visitors can easily remove damp boots.

Blend Old and New

Hey, I love Target as much as the next girl, and I’ve certainly bought my fair share of new purchases for our home there. But I also love shopping at antique stores and vintage stores for one-of-a-kind pieces too.

One of the most important ways to characterize your home is to include vintage or antique pieces. These pieces are great for adding that one-of-a-kind vibe. And the best part? They don’t even have to be family heirlooms. I love thrifting through thrift stores, antique malls, or vintage stores for these pieces because when you find “the one”, it is rewarding! They also add so much charm to your home.

Choose a Warm Wall Color

I actually talk all about this concept in “Designing With A Neutral Color Palette” but I’m going to give you a hint of which color not to paint your house in and it’s because it is going out of style. I think you know which color I’m talking about but if not, it is gray. Yes, you heard that right. Gray is going out of style. Gray by nature is cool, so if you want your home to feel warm, use a warm paint color. I also prefer all of my colors in a satin sheen to help reflect the light in a home and bring in the warmth even more.

Add Something Organic in Every Room

Organic in interior design terms means to emphasize minimalism and harmony between man-made elements and the natural world. These are items like plants, flowers, fruits, and vegetables that bring so much life to a space. My personal favorite is to bring in an olive tree like this one.

You can incorporate different textures in various elements as well like woven decor like baskets and mirrors are great textural elements. Furniture can also add so much texture. Also, items like bedding, window treatments, pillows, coffee table decor, textural wall art, etc. make great textural elements too!

Incorporate Wood To Make Your Home Feel Cozier

Wood instantly warms a room, even if just a hint. You can create a cozy home with wood elements like hardwood floors, wood furniture like a dresser, bookshelf, or coffee table, or accents like bowls, pedestals, and trays.

Layer with Rugs

There are so many options including pet-friendly rugs, vintage rugs, indoor outdoor rugs, and sisal rugs. This is an important factor in adding warmth and charm to your home, and it instantly makes a room feel cozier. I’m obsessed with the colors that this rug comes in that also makes it so cozy!

House Shoes

I know this is going to seem strange but hear me out. I talk a little about this in this blog post about wabi-sabi. But in homes throughout Japan, you’ll find house slippers waiting for everyone at the front door, along with a rack for guests to leave their shoes. If you don’t regularly practice a “no shoes” policy in your home, consider trying one this winter. It will prevent anyone from tracking snow, rain, and mud into the house. And I don’t know about you but I can’t live without my fuzzy slippers (like these or these) to keep the toes warm and make the coldest days feel cozier!

Add A Seasonal Scent To Make Your Home Feel Cozier

Who else has a favorite scented candle? I will only run organic, soy candles scented with essential oils in my home. No toxins here! But I will tell you what. The power of scent is undeniable, and it can instantly change the feeling of any room. I like to switch up our usual scents in the winter, trading spring and summer florals for warming scents. Try lighting a candle during your morning routine or before guests arrive will add ambient warmth to the home.

Warm Lighting

Spring is coming, my friends! But while we are waiting on the days to become longer, make sure there’s plenty of lighting in each room. To make your home feel cozier, avoid overhead lights in favor of lamps and pendant lights and use warm light bulbs. If you love to entertain as I do, I like to add candlelight with pillars at the table or votives strategically placed around the room. Lighting goes beyond your overhead fixtures! Consider adding pretty lamps and sconces to your home. Dramatic flames like a fireplace or even something as simple as candlelight bring all the cozy vibes into your home. For instant warmth, update your lightbulbs! I cannot stress this enough. The right warm lightbulbs will add a beautiful warm and cozy glow!

Cozy Up Your Guest Room

If you’re hosting guests this winter, don’t forget to add some additional blankets to your guest room. I’m looking forward to when I have the space to leave an electric tea kettle, a mug, and a selection of herbal or green tea like a hotel room for my guests so they can feel warm and cozy and welcomed, at least I hope!

Bathroom Accents

I know what you’re thinking. Why the bathroom? It’s easy to overlook when you’re thinking about making seasonal changes. But it’s one of the most trafficked rooms in the house! There are several simple ways to make it feel cozier. Add a candle to the countertop to light when hosting guests. Consider substituting your usual bath towels with warmer plush versions for the winter. Winter also tends to chap hands and cause sniffles, so keep a rich hand lotion, hand sanitizer, and soap, and a tissue box.  

The weather outside might be dismal, but it makes evenings at home that much more enjoyable. Ultimately, a cozy home comes down to how you spend your time and who you spend it with. Once you’ve applied a few of these techniques, I hope you’ll invite a few guests over to spend a few warm and cozy hours with you! 

Add Pillows and Throws To Make Your Home Feel Cozier

So I will be the first to confess that I have an obsession with throw pillows and throw blankets. It’s my weakness. Why? Because it is one of the easiest ways to change the look, feel, and seasonal style of any room! It’s one of my favorite tricks to make any room appear cozy, and it’s easy to learn how to mix and match patterns and styles.

Blankets and throws are an absolute necessity in our cozy home at all times of the year! We never know what kind of weather in the Midwest we are going to get on a daily basis. Are there any other Midwesterners here? I like to store them in these woven baskets when not in use. And if you don’t love the look of draping across an ottoman, sofa, or chair, this is a great option! They add instant cozy living vibes. Some of us chill more easily than others. During the fall and winter, place extra blankets in the living room or other shared areas, so everyone can warm up as much as they like.

Hang Artwork at Eye Level

Another obsession that I have is art. Whether it be photos, paintings, or painting prints, this is such an easy change to make in your home! Why does it seem like so much art is hung so high on walls? It should ideally be at eye level, where your family and guests can enjoy the items that are so special to you. This creates an element of instant warmth and comfort in your cozy home, and it invites guests to get to know you and your family’s story more intimately.

Mix and Match Your Furniture To Make Your Home Feel Cozier

This is another design trend you do not want to fall prey to. Your furniture doesn’t have to come in a set, and in my professional opinion, it shouldn’t! It feels so much more interesting to mix and match color, style, or both. One of my favorite tricks is to buy furniture that can do double duty because it’s flexible and multipurpose – making it so easy to mix and match!

Use Warm Metals

I’ve talked about metals before in this blog post, “A Guide To Mixing Metals“. It’s a design given that if all of your hardware is the same color and finish that it will be tre magnifique so long as the paint colors also match. I use the formula of choosing your two main finishes and then following the formula for mixing metals. Oil-rubbed bronze and copper make for a warm palette and so do brushed gold and brass. You can even do oil-rubbed bronze and brass too!

There are a variety of ways to bring warm metals to your home! Search for antique silver plated pieces at thrift stores, and add a fresh brass tray to your coffee table or a mirror to your walls.

In conclusion,

Everyone wants to feel good in their space. In fact, I highly recommend talking to an interior designer if your home does not feel good to you! Here are 3 of my tips for incorporating this guide into your home that will help you create the #cozyhome look.

• Instead of bringing in more stuff, simply change items out seasonally. This goes for pillow covers, candles, and even the wreath on your front door and artwork on your walls.
• Cozy means welcoming for many people. If you’re inviting guests, light the candles, start a fire and turn on all your lamps. Instant cozy vibes!
• Clutter is just that – clutter. While you want your home to be comfortable, clean surfaces are always the best start! 

Many of the ideas in this guide to make your home feel cozier are budget-friendly! From the tips about the artwork to changing your pillow covers, you’ll be surprised how many ideas are super affordable – and even free! Happy getting cozy!

Love,