35 Cozy Decor Ideas For Home
35 Cozy Decor Ideas For Home
Not to toot my own horn or anything but I love that one of the things that people always say about our house is how cozy, warm and inviting it is. To me, I couldn’t think of a better compliment to receive. You see, as someone who loves to entertain, I always want people to feel welcome and at home, and there’s nothing better than a cozy space to do just that.
And on a personal level, nothing brings me more joy and peace than a space that is warm and cozy. It makes me feel relaxed and comfortable, it gives me a space where I can unwind and forget about the worries of the world, it allows me to think and be creative and provides the perfect backdrop for my daily routines, from morning coffee and journaling to afternoon yoga all the way to evening candles and tea (or wine).
Of course, there’s no better time to add some extra coziness to your space than this time of year. It’s cold and gray, the mood can feel a little blue, and the living space can feel a little dull once all the holiday sparkle is gone, so the perfect remedy is adding some coziness and warmth into your space.
For me, when it comes to creating a cozy, inviting space full of warmth and ambience, I’m all about wabi sabi design principals. I think it’s one of the coziest styles of home decor, full of warmth and textures, neutral tones and worn, imperfect details. It’s also uncomplicated and relaxed, which, to me, are two key elements in creating a space that is inviting and warm. Since wabi sabi is so much about embracing and finding beauty in the imperfections, I also find that it is easier to implement and one of the best ways to create a cozy ambience without sacrificing your style or budget. These principals and decor ideas truly make such a perfect guide when it comes to warming up your own space and curating a cozy home.
THE RIGHT BULBS
While having plenty of lamps is necessary to creating a space that feels cozy, the key really lies in the light bulbs you use. The wrong bulb can send off the wrong light and totally throw off the vibe, so I like to swap out traditional bulbs for these ones that give off the perfect golden glow. It’s something that is easily overlooked but it’s such a small and simple tweak that can instantly make a space feel completely different.
CANDLES
It’s no secret that I’m a big fan of candles. I almost always have one burning, because there really is no easier way to instantly add a soft warm glow to a room and make a space feel cozy.
ENHANCE WITH SMELL
Emphasize the cozy factor with candle scents that are warm, cozy and inviting, think things like bourbon, vanilla, smoke, spices and leather.
ADD A DIFFUSER
A diffuser is another great way to add a cozy scent to a space
COFFEE TABLE BOOKS
Another simple way to add in layers of texture is by stacking coffee table books around your space.
LAYER UP
The more layers, the cozier the room feels, so I try to find ways to layer all sorts of things, not just blankets. Think different textures, different objects, vignettes on shelves, etc.
RUGS
One of the ways to add layers to a room is through rugs. Trying different sizes, colors, textures and patterns. For example, use a jute area rug as the base then layer a smaller, woven rug on top.
BLANKETS
My favorite way to add cozy layers to a space is through blankets. They come in so many materials, textures and colors and there are so many ways you can use them and decorate a space with them. Drape one across the back of a chair, place a throw blanket across a bench, keep a few rolled up in a basket, layer several different ones across the foot of a bed…the options are endless.
THROW PILLOWS
Another great way to add layers is through throw pillows. Get a few different sizes, shapes and materials/textures for the ultimate cozy impact.
INCORPORATE THINGS FROM NATURE
Think rocks, seashells, branches, stones
DRIED BRANCHES
Speaking of ancient vessels, one of my favorite things to put in them is dried branches. I just love how imperfect they look and how they add unexpected texture to a space. Plus, they don’t need to be changed out the way flowers do so it’s a really cost-effective way to add a cozy natural element to a space.
USEFUL BUT PRETTY ITEMS
Just because you need something to be useful, doesn’t mean it needs to be ugly. Think of how you can add cozy elements through useful things, such as matches and a match striker, or creating a dish washing vignette with soap in a pretty bottle.
OFF-WHITE LINEN CURTAINS
Swap white curtains for something off-white or creamy white. It’s less stark and harsh, and also creates a beautiful warm filter for any light coming in through the window.
KEEP THINGS EASY + FUSS-FREE
Cozy means things that are easy, lived in and unstuffy, so when it comes to making your space cozy, don’t overthink it. Keep it simple and easy.
LEAVE ROOM TO BREATH
Don’t forget to leave your room to breath. Too many details can leave a space feeling cluttered, and there’s nothing cozy about that!
HAVE DESIGNATED SPOTS TO KEEP CLUTTER
Clutter is bound to happen so I’ve found over the years that it’s simply best to have a designated spot, be it a basket, box or drawer, for it versus thinking you just won’t have it.
EDIT FREQUENTLY
On that note, to keep things cozy, don’t forget to tidy often and edit out pieces that are no longer working for you or the space. Especially if you live in a small space, like we do, this is particularly important to do as frequently as possible (we do it about once a month).
KEEP IT NEUTRAL
Lay the groundwork for your cozy space by choosing the right color scheme. To me, that means neutrals that are soft, warm and full of depth.
LIME WASH PAINT
Speaking of colors, one of my favorite ways to add color to a space in a way that is cozy and inviting is through lime wash paint. The natural tones and textures of lime wash make it the perfect paint for creating the foundation for a room that is full of warmth.
ADD TEXTURAL ART PIECES
Another way to add cozy layers to a space is through art that has texture and “life”, think things with plaster and natural elements.
LET THERE BE LIGHT
To me, lighting is one of the primary elements to creating a cozy home. Avoid overhead lighting, which can be cold and harsh, and instead add warmth through table lamps and floor lamps, layering them throughout the space. I especially love tucking a little lamps in unexpected places, like on a stack of books, or in a kitchen nook, to add extra cozy vibes.
WORN PIECES
A cozy space is a lived in space so look for pieces that are worn and “lived in” to add coziness to a space.
IMPERFECT GOODS
I mentioned this above but one of the main principals of wabi sabi is embracing imperfections. It’s those imperfections that help make a space unique and give it that warm, cozy, lived-in feel.
UNIQUE ITEMS
Ultimately, whether it’s through worn/used items or things with imperfections you’re looking for pieces with unique characteristics and details. It’s those items which make a space personal, and make a space cozy by bringing it to life with personal touches.
ANCIENT VESSELS
File these under one of my favorite worn/imperfect goods that are great for displaying on their own, building out vignettes, styling shelves or even for arrangements. You can find them on places like Etsy, at flea markets or you can even make your own.
AGED WOOD BENCHES/STOOLS
Again, the more aged and worn, the better
CURATE VIGNETTES
One of my absolute favorite ways to make a space more cozy is by curating little vignettes throughout. Whether it’s on a table top or a shelf or maybe it’s a reading nook or a little corner on your kitchen counter, it’s the perfect way to add coziness throughout your living space.
VARY TONES, TEXTURES + SIZES
This is helpful both in building out vignettes as well as decorating the space as a whole to give it warmth and really bring the space to life.
STONEWARE MUGS + KITCHEN WARES
The perfect way to instantly give your kitchen a cozy boost is to use stoneware pieces. Look for ones that are homemade (because homemade = unique and perfectly imperfect) and in neutral shades.
USE WOODEN BOWLS FOR FRUIT
Yup, even your fruit can get in on the cozy action.
SELECT COMFY FURNITURE
I know, this kind of goes without saying, but for the ideal cozy living space, make sure your furniture is comfy and made with soft, cozy materials, whether it’s a linen sectional sofa or a boucle bench or a velvet arm chair.
USE NATURAL MATERIALS
Think things like wood, linen, stone, marble
ADD ELEMENTS FROM TRAVELS
I think one of the things that makes a space so cozy and inviting is personal touches that have meaning and stories behind them, and nothing does that better than items collected on your travels. Not only are these items conversation starters, they’re also special pieces that make the space uniquely yours, and nothing is cozier then that.
USE A FRAME TV INSTEAD OF A REGULAR TV
I think tv’s are such eye sores and one of the biggest distractors in creating a warm and inviting space. So, while a Frame is expensive, in my opinion, it is 1000% worth the switch in creating the ultimate cozy haven.
SOFT + INVITING BACKGROUND MUSIC
A huge part of what makes a space so cozy is having different elements speak to your different senses, whether it’s a cozy scent to smell or a soft blanket to feel. So when you’re making a space cozy, don’t forget to include your sense of sound with chill playlists that set the mood and create a cozy vibe.
SHOP COZY HOME DECOR FAVES
