How to Make Your Home Feel Cozier

The first thing you should think about when updating your living space is flow. How you move around in a space impacts the feeling you get within it.
Are furniture and home accents laid out to invite easy mingling? If your living room is very open and minimalist, think about adding a few chairs to face the sofa. This will allow guests to sit comfortably facing one another. Consider the direction that the largest piece of furniture faces. If it is facing a mantel or fireplace that will certainly make folks feel cozy. If the couch faces a big window, which will make the space feel larger and more open, dress the window up a bit to create ambiance.

A seasonal shift is a really fun time to think about investing in a new piece of furniture. For the cooler months, warm wood can’t be beat. Think about your coffee tables, accent tables and shelving. If there’s space and budget for an update, go for it. Blond, warm and reclaimed wood materials will all add a rustic feel to a space.

Tip: Mixing vintage with new is a great way to create cozy vibes. Check out flea markets and estates sales for unique pieces that will pair well with your newer wares.

Coziness is all about texture. Create contrast and make seating look extra-inviting by draping throw blankets over chairs and couches. The effect will be just like layering on sweaters for the fall, adding warmth that feels just like a big hug. And if guests want to feel extra snug, the throws are there to be used.

Organic things, like plants and flowers, bring a lot of life to a space. They also tend to represent different seasons, since different plants thrive at different times of year. To add to cozy vibes, select something that feels in step with the weather. The aesthetic rule of thumb to follow is to look for flowers that come in deeper tones and have super textural leaves and flowers.

Tip: If you are concerned about keeping plants lively, you can choose to decorate with dried flowers and twigs. They are a great touch and add charm to the space without requiring any upkeep.

Creating a feeling of softness, texture and contrast isn’t just for your seating arrangements. Target your floors as well. When trying to create maximum coziness just one rug won’t do. You’ll be surprised to find that differing colors, patterns and fabrics can work really well together, especially when they’re layered in a space filled with warm wood tones.

Layering is all about proportion. It creates a sense of depth that is very comforting and lush.
Allow rugs to spill from under a couch – this creates movement. Your next rug can overlap with that rug and sit under a coffee table. This will make the face feel full and dynamic. Alternatively, you can top a large area rug with a smaller one.

First off, make sure that you aren’t relying exclusively on overhead lighting. If that’s the case, pick up an elegant floor lamp or quirky table lamp in a brass, gold or copper finish. Make sure you are using a soft, warm light bulb. This choice will bathe the space in light that makes things feel as cozy as can be. You have a few options. Choose light bulbs marked for “ambient light,” meaning it will light a full room well. Blue light-free bulbs will keep you feeling calm. Another option is a sunlight bulb. They are LED lightbulbs designed to imitate natural sunlight, making for a natural glow and also help balance your circadian rhythm.

Another textural element you should consider switching out are your curtains. Are they light and gauzy? To make sure things are feeling cozy, you should get yourself curtains that are a bit more luxurious and heavy. Depending on the draftiness of your home, you may even want a set that has a thermal lining. Not only will heavier curtains help keep heat in, but they will add extra softness to a space.

Sprinkling the right aesthetic touches around the room will reinforce your intended color palette, design or texture, and tie everything together. Bring in pops of plushness by layering in additional throw pillows to any seating arrangement. Think about placing a pouf by your couch. Next, take a step back and scan the room. If the space still needs a nudge, add new accessories that introduce warmth like twinkle lights, personal trinkets and wall art to make a space feel more lived-in.
Hanging paintings, sculptural elements and tapestries, add depth and color, two things that are an instant recipe for coziness.

Candles are great accessories that add a homey touch to any space. Line a mantel or window sill with candles. Play with height by combining tall slender candles with more squat ones. There are also many great flameless candles available these days that emit warm light without the potential fire hazard.

Tip: For the coziest atmosphere, grab candles with enveloping, inviting smells such as musk, clove, tobacco, lavender and pine.