Making your home a cosy and welcoming place can be harder than it first seems. This is especially true when designs come into fashion that prefer cooler tones, such as glass, metal, and bright colours.
But you can add warmth to your home in many ways whilst still keeping it stylish. By subtly changing a couple of things, you can create a cosy and inviting space that you’ll love spending time in.
Top 10 Tips for Creating a Cosy Home
#1. Lighting
Lighting is one of the most important elements of interior design, especially if you want it to be cosy. Even just changing the tone of a lightbulb can have an enormous effect on the overall feel of the room.
Experiment with different lights for different parts of the day. Where possible, try to avoid overhead lights that can be garish and dominating. Instead, choose cosy standing lights or even fairy lights to create your desired atmosphere.
A great concept to follow when creating cosy lighting is Hygge. Hygge focuses on ambient lighting, such as table lights and dimmers. Candles are also a really important part of cosy lighting. Not only do they create a warm and romantic ambience, but the flickering light is also very inviting.
#2. Use Warming Woods
Wood, and actually almost any natural material, is the perfect way to create an effortless and cosy space. Exposed wooden floors always work well but, if that’s not a possibility for you, you can think about wooden coffee tables or sideboards. Ash and oak are two great types of cosy-making wood, especially when the knots are exposed for an extra touch of natural beauty.
#3. Add Texture
Possibly the easiest way of instantly warming up a room is with texture. Adding cushions, blankets, throws and even wall hangings are perfect for making a room feel inviting. Try to stick with neutral colours and cosy textures such as big chunky knits.
#4. Use a Rich Colour Palette
Colour is essential when creating your desired ambience. Go for rich colours that automatically feel really welcoming. Certain tones also have a timeless feel in interior design, which means you won’t have to paint over them when seasons or trends change.
Some colours to consider are:
- Navy blue
- Charcoal
- Berry colours
- Burnt oranges
- Deep red
All these colours pair well with neutral tones such as cream, and contrasting colours such as mustard yellow.
#5. Add Rugs
Rugs are an excellent way to bring comfort and style to a living room, dining room or bedroom. With such a wide variety of styles, textures, colours and sizes to choose from, it’s possible to find a rug for any decor or taste. Generally speaking, a rug should go just under the front legs of your sofa and under the coffee table to make the space cohesive and balanced.
#6. Think About How Furniture is Arranged
If you know you want a cosy set-up from the very beginning, think carefully about how you arrange your furniture. You want people to automatically sit down and feel comfortable. There are certain principles of Feng Shui that can really help and it’s important to use sofas, armchairs and well-styled coffee tables to encourage conversation and relaxation.
#7. Use Plants
Plants are essential in interior design and have been used for centuries. They’re often added to brighten up spaces thanks to their natural colour and reported health benefits. But, as well as being used in modern and minimalistic interior designs, plants are the perfect way to create a cosy corner. Humans are naturally drawn to plants, so having large standing plants next to an armchair or trailing plants from a shelf or bookshelf helps to create a sense of peace and tranquillity.
#8. Think About Windows
Whether summer or winter, it’s important to think about windows – and not just for light. Window covers can really change the feel of the room. For summer, wooden Venetians and shutters can work amazingly at keeping the heat out whilst simultaneously making indoors a tranquil and relaxing place. You could also think about airy curtains made from natural material which adds to your overall interior decor.
In winter, opt for heavier materials in a rich colour. They’ll mimic the fewer hours of light and, when matched with good lighting, will make the room very inviting. They’re also super insulating!
If you don’t want to change curtains or window covers according to the seasons, try insulating your existing curtains with specific material. It will help to keep things cosy and cost-effective!
#9. Buy Good Bed Sheets
One of the biggest things that will automatically make a bedroom cosy is having good-quality bed sheets. It’s a great idea to invest in neutral coloured sheets and then accessorise with throws and cushions which can be alternated when need be. Fluffy blankets in rich colours can make the whole room feel really warm and inviting. Likewise, lighter materials placed naturally can help to create a relaxed atmosphere.
#10. Add Personal Touches
Arguably the best way to make a space cosy and relaxing is to make it your own. Fragrance is essential, so choose a room diffuser or candle that calms you and that adds to the ambience. Using your favourite photos can make an area of a room feel very personal and snug. You can also stage items from your travels to give it a unique touch.
The Ultimate Way to Create a Cosy Haven
There are lots of little things you can do to bring warmth and cosiness into your home. By adding textures and fabrics, you can make even functional spaces an ideal place to relax in. The most important thing, however, is to make it your own. Choose items and colours that you like and that you find inviting, and always make sure that the lighting is right to create the perfect, relaxing mood.