6 Ways to Create a Cozy Home

It’s that time of year – the crackling fireplace, fuzzy socks, amazing smells wafting throughout the house… While your home is your safe haven after a long day at work or at school, there are things you can do during the fall and winter seasons to up the cozy factor. Making some small and inexpensive changes now will be sure to leave you and any house guests you may have feeling all warm and fuzzy. The only downfall? You may not want to leave your house at all!

1. Declutter Your Space

We may sound like a broken record, but decluttering truly is the place to start when trying to make changes in your home. We know life (and families!) can make it challenging to keep on top of making sure the entryway is tidied up, the desk is cleaned off, shoes and dirty clothes are put where they belong… However, this small step is essential to making your home feel cozy, welcoming, and stress-free. Plus, it is a free way to make huge improvements!

So, set aside some time to go through the mail that has piled up, put away the shoes that tend to congregate on the floor, and put away those dishes that you haven’t been able to get to. You will feel so much better once you have this out of the way.

2. Add Soft Lighting

Adding soft lighting can up the cozy factor tremendously! Consider switching out bulbs or just turning on lamps, rather than stark, bright overhead lights. Consider adding string lights, which can add a soft, whimsical feel to any space.

Allowing natural light to shine in during the day and adding softer light in the evenings is a mood booster. We tend to associate the softer, warmer lights with candlelight, making it cozy and warm and nostalgic. Candles are a great option as well, but only if monitored and used safely!

3. Jazz Up Your Wall Space

Bare walls can feel cold and uninviting during the cooler months. While minimalism isn’t necessarily a bad thing, during the fall and winter months, consider adding decor to your walls. For example, have more pictures printed and hang them up. Hang any cards you may receive during this time of year on a ribbon or a pre-made card display. You can even frame them for an added touch.

This is also a great time of the year to add seasonal artwork. Break out those fall pumpkin signs or the winter snowman paintings. It will not only make your home feel warmer, but it will also help with the seasonal spirit!

4. Changing Window Treatments

During this time of year, window treatments serve more than one purpose. Adding heavier fabrics can add a beautiful pop of color and help make your space cozy and warm, but they also help with insulation.

This added softness to your living room or bedroom can give it such a warm feel – both literally and figuratively. This small upgrade can be a huge improvement in looks, and it can help minimize any drafts that may sneak in through the windows

5. Focus on the Kitchen

The kitchen is often referred to as the “heart of the home.” And for the fall and winter seasons, this is even more likely to be the case. With the amount of time that your family is either in the kitchen cooking, baking, or just sampling, spend a little time focusing on this part of the house.

Consider adding a kitchen rug. This can simply be a “normal” kitchen rug, or you could add one with a seasonal theme or message. It’s a great way to add holiday decor or just a way to simply add artwork to your home. You can also dress up the kitchen by changing out your dishtowels to that of a warmer color (think deep reds, oranges, browns, yellows, etc.). These can be seasonal as well.

Another nice touch in the kitchen or dining room is a beautiful table cloth. These can add rich colors and create an inviting space to gather.

6. Aroma

Ahhh, the smells of fall and winter are hard to beat. There are many different possible sources to add an amazing scent to your home, such as wax melts, flowers, potpourri, candles (when used safely), a diffuser, homemade cookies baking in the oven, etc. While we may prefer homemade cookies baking, that’s not always feasible. Consider adding your favorite scents that evoke warm and cozy feelings, such as pumpkin spice, vanilla, cinnamon, bonfire, etc.

There are so many warm scents that can instantly improve your mood, plus they can create a comfortable, warm feeling in your entire home.

While summer is known for being light and airy, fall and winter are a time to cozy up and settle in. It is truly a magical time of year, and it can be even more enjoyable when you and your surroundings are warm, inviting, and comfy.

If you are looking for other tips on how to prepare for fall, check out our blog Scent-sational Selling Tips. It shares some of those irresistible smells that will have you never wanting to leave your home!