During these cold winter months, it’s as important as ever to have a home that makes you feel warm, safe, and comfortable. A cozy home will make the long, dark days of winter so much more enjoyable, but it doesn’t happen by chance.
You’ll need more than a warm blanket and fuzzy slippers to make your home feel comfy – there’s a chance you may have to make a few changes to your current space. Let’s look at four ways to make your home more cozy.
Mood lighting
When it’s dark and gloomy outside all the time, super bright lights inside might make your house feel more like an operating room, which is the exact opposite of the cozy space you need. Including mood lighting in your home design is an excellent way to make a room feel inviting and comfortable.
Mood lighting can easily be incorporated into your home by adding sconces or chandeliers. These lighting options add dimension to the room while also providing the right amount of light. Sconces look great in the bedroom and living room, while chandeliers work best in the dining room, bathroom, or other seating areas.
Warm tones
Stark white homes may be trendy, but they certainly are not cozy. Instead of having a “sad beige” home, it’s a good idea to incorporate warm tones into everything from your paint colors to your throw blankets. Warm tones like brown or mossy green are also excellent cabinetry, backsplashes, and flooring choices. These earthy tones help to bring the outdoors in, which is essential in these cold months when our outside time is minimal.
Warm tones can also add texture to focal points like your fireplace. A sand-colored stone can be used as the fireplace surround to create a rustic feel. For flooring, install a timeless hardwood floor to give the space warmth and a classic look.
Don’t skimp on storage
Clutter is not cozy, so having adequate storage space to hide everything from your kid’s toys to small kitchen appliances is a must. While some stand-alone decorative cabinets might be helpful, you may want to consider installing built-in storage solutions to keep your home clutter-free.
Built-in bookshelves in the living room are an excellent addition to any home and will double as a place to keep your odds and ends while also allowing for some decorative creativity. Another idea we love is the addition of built-in storage benches. These could be installed under a window to double as a place to hide things like blankets or a small space heater while acting as a reading nook.
Add texture with wall accents
When you get dressed in the winter, there’s a good chance you put on a couple of layers. Guess what? Your home needs layers, too! One way to incorporate the feeling of layers and texture into a large space is by dressing up your walls.
Adding a simplistic wainscotting is an easy way to dress up a dining or living room. It’s also surprisingly versatile and can be painted any color you prefer and paired with bold wallpaper or something more simplistic, depending on your style. Shiplap walls are also great additions to an otherwise uninviting space. The extra texture on the wall will warm up the space and make it feel more comfy. Do you need help making your home feel more cozy? We are here to help! Let’s get in touch to talk about what you think your house is missing and how we can make it better.