Putting on a sweater, lighting candles, and turning down the thermostat are all great ways to make a home cozier. But what if you could go above and beyond with a few minor tweaks that will have your home feeling like an old friend in no time?
A happy home is the secret to a happy life. In fact, according to The Good Home Report, 73% of people who are happy with their homes are also satisfied with their lives. The statistic is evidence—if we ever needed it—that making your home cozier can make you happier.
Cozy homes are not just about aesthetics – but creating the perfect space to relax after a long day. Creating a home that feels like an embrace rather than an obligation is not always easy, but it’s not impossible either. Here are several tips on how to make a home cozier.
Everybody Wants to Feel Comfortable in Their Own Space
The need for a place to feel safe stretches back to the prehistoric era when humanity lived in caves. Initially, it was just a small area lit by a warm fire. In either case, the concept remains the same, whether the space is a cave, a studio apartment, or a 15-bedroom house.
It is necessary to feel peaceful and at ease; it is a natural human component. Are you wondering where to begin when giving your home a certain ‘feel?’
- Perhaps the brand-new home you just bought lacks personality because it is decorated with builder-grade materials and finishes.
- Maybe you’re a college student living in a dormitory, and you are wondering how to make a home cozier
- Or perhaps you’ve never decorated before in your life, but you just have the impression that something feels off about the atmosphere in your house.
It might be challenging to determine precisely what is wrong and what changes we need to make. So we spend hours searching the internet for ideas, save innumerable images on Pinterest, and come up empty-handed.
What causes the sensation?
You see, none of those enticing and motivational images actually resemble your own bedroom or living area when you step back and look at all photos you’ve collected. Thus, the million-dollar question is: How can you make your home cozy? The good news is that it’s not as difficult as you might think!
Keep reading to find out how to make a home cozier.
Top Interior Design Tips for a Cozy Home
Building a cozy and inviting home for any other season doesn’t take much. Maybe you already have what you need at your home! Most of these elements are reusable in whichever room you feel most needs to be ‘cozy-ed up.’ Below, we’ll go over a few essential elements of how to make a home cozier.
So let’s dive right in!
Start with the Basics: Home Improvement and Contractors
If you have any problems with your home that need to be addressed, such as foundation repair or window replacement, start there. Improving these aspects of your property will bring an instant sense of coziness. In addition to increasing comfort, a typical renovation job will increase a home’s resale value by an average of 56% of the remodeling cost,according to Zippia.
It’s always best to consult professionals when tackling home improvement projects like adding artwork, installing cabinet lighting, or repairing your home’s foundation. While this may seem expensive upfront, hiring professionals will help ensure the job gets done correctly and quickly, which could end up saving you more money in the long run.
For example, if you install stone pavers yourself instead of hiring a professional paving company, you’ll need to buy your own tools, which could cost hundreds of dollars. On the other hand, if you hire professionals, they’ll provide the tools necessary for installation, saving you a lot of money in the long run.
Have Comfortable Furniture
More people are appreciating the importance of comfy furniture. In fact, by 2026, the market for luxury furniture is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 4.7%, according to Globe News Wire. A cozy sofa from a furniture store can make the whole difference.
Armchairs should be cozy with reclining options that are perfect for watching your favorite TV show. If you need help deciding on the best items for your home, speak with a home contractor or other professionals who can guide you through the process.
After you’ve chosen your furniture, you’ll need to make sure that it is comfortable and fits well with any existing decor. Home contractors can assist with installation and help with any issues along the way. It’s important to remember that your home should be an extension of yourself, so it’s important that it feels right as soon as you walk through its door!
Accent with Soft Colors
You might be wondering how to make a home cozier by repainting your house, and I’m here to let you in on the secrets. Did you know that according to House Grail, 88% of people report feeling more inclined to stay in after painting an interior space?
Light, vibrant paint colors can make any room look bright, warm, and inviting. Consider light colors if you want your home to feel spacious. Or, go for darker shades of blue or green if you want your home to feel like a cozy retreat.</p>
Another way to use color is by accentuating certain areas of your home. For example, you can make a room feel cozy by painting one corner or wall a deeper hue. If you have spare walls and floor space, consider using brightly colored area rugs or throw blankets for an even more welcoming ambiance. Remember that there are no rules about what color should be used in certain rooms; it’s all about the look and mood you’re trying to create.
Use Candles
Have you been wondering how to make a home cozier with candles? Candles can create an inviting atmosphere for guests and provide a warm ambiance for family dinners. It’s a great way to use those unused scented candles from last Christmas! Here are some tips on how to properly use candles:
- Always ensure candles are out before leaving the room or going to bed.
- Don’t light candles when you’re not home.
- If you have children, consider using safety precautions like flame guards and glass containers to protect them against hot wax spills.
- Lastly, never leave lit candles unattended.
Incorporate Wood
Wood is often a popular material for home improvement projects, but it’s also a great way to make your home cozier. It is warm and inviting and can give any room a rustic or modern feel depending on the type of wood you use.
Cabinet installation is the easiest way to update your kitchen with wood materials, but there are other ways to incorporate wood into your home. If you’re not looking to buy anything, then try installing window frames made from wood slats. You can also use wooden beams as part of a light installation project by hanging lights from them.
Hang Unique Artwork
Another popular way to make a home cozier is through art. In fact, the worldwide wall art market is anticipated to reach $72.61 billion by 2028, expanding at a CAGR of 5.9% over the forecast period of 2021–2028, according to Fortune Business Insights. Do not fall behind.
If you have been wondering how to make a home cozier, adding artwork is an inexpensive way to enhance its look and feel. Find artwork that you love and will enjoy living with every day. Stick to just one or two pieces simultaneously, so they don’t overwhelm the space.
An oversized piece might be too overpowering for smaller spaces like bathrooms, but it could work well in larger family rooms. If you’re worried about hanging heavy frames on drywall, use a strong adhesive instead of hooks, which could damage the wall surface.
Remember that artwork doesn’t need to be expensive or brand new. Home decor stores have plenty of affordable pieces you can easily re-sell later, like vintage posters. You may also want to consider framing family photos for an art piece that’s sure to become an instant heirloom.
If you’re on a tight budget and don’t want to paint your walls just yet, try adding wallpaper instead. Start by measuring the length and width of each wall to determine how much wallpaper you’ll need. Some patterns are wider than others, so make sure you buy enough material to cover all four walls in your room. You can get rolls of wallpaper from a home improvement company, furniture stores, or department stores that sell home decor items.
Create Warmth with Lighting
According to >Mordor Intelligence, lighting consumes close to 10% of home electricity. So, you shouldn’t underestimate the significance of proper lighting installation. However, proper lighting is perhaps the most important aspect of creating a warm environment. This is why you should assess your lighting options before creating a warm space by asking yourself th following questions:
- Is your space well-lit?
- What design does each light have?
- Are you utilizing warm or cool bulbs?
- Avoid using any strong, solitary overhead lighting.
Light your room appropriately with ambient lighting, a table, floor lights, and candles (ideally scented!). Make lighting clusters where you want focal points to be after the sun goes down.
1. Lighting Temperature
What distinguishes cold lighting from warm lighting? Depending on the bulb’s temperature, it will be yellow (warm) or blue (cool).
Cool white is closer to 5000k than warm white, which is closer to 3000k. Ask any electrician, and they will tell you that the light is colder when the K (kelvin) value is higher. This explains why candlelight is so inviting since it has a relatively warm color temperature of roughly 1850k.
If your home has cold-temperature lights, get rid of them. They are NOT helping you in any way. Seriously, this is essential!
2. String Lights
Any room gets a beautiful bohemian feel from string lights. If that is the style you are going for, you can pretty much put them wherever and not go wrong. You can also try an elegant string of globe lights instead of fairy lights if they are a touch too whimsical.
3. Cozy Bathroom Lighting
What about the bathroom?
Well, you could cozy up your bathroom by plugging in a nice, low-wattage nightlight and leaving it on for most of the day. This is especially useful for condo bathrooms that lack windows and are dark.
To generate a beautiful glow at your feet whenever you enter the room at night, you could also put a motion sensor light strip under your vanity. You don’t need to spend much money creating a comfortable bathroom!
Add Life With Plants and Flowers
Indoor plants provide a perfect opportunity to disconnect from technology and reconnect with the natural world. In fact, according to Kitchen Infinity, 54% of people believe that houseplants make their homes more attractive. Any living thing in the house will help make it feel cozy (unless it’s a spider). The fact that plants are living things makes them cozy. Even though plants can be expensive, there are several ways to save money without sacrificing a lush, green environment:
- Learn about plant propagation
- Request cuttings from your family and friends
- It is almost always possible to obtain permission from the store manager to propagate fallen succulent leaves from garden centers. They will usually say yes because the leaves would be discarded, anyway.
1. Fresh Flowers
Fresh flowers are always a lovely addition, as any home designer or decorator would confirm. Fresh flowers can actually last quite a while if you’re meticulous about changing the water and cutting the stems.
One bouquet can be divided in half and placed in several vases around the home. Placing flowers randomly in your home will make you feel like they are always there, not just on special occasions.
2. Faux Flowers
Are living plants intimidating to you? Then use artificial flowers instead. There is nothing wrong with choosing to decorate with artificial plants and flowers.
However, try to avoid anything that is too clearly artificial (think of the fake ivy draped over kitchen cabinet tops in the 1990s). Invest a bit extra money on more realistic faux flowers. Some choices are lovely and don’t look cheap; up close, you wouldn’t be able to tell they were fake!
Cozy Up With Curtains
The most common fabric panel window coverings are curtains, and demand for them is rising. Global Market Insights estimates that the market for curtains and window coverings will increase at a CAGR of 3.9% from 2021 to 2027.
Have you been wondering how to make a home cozier with curtains? Do you have blinds or sheers? Curtains can really make your home cozier, especially if you spend most of your time inside. Consider how light affects your mood and how much natural light you have.
If there isn’t enough natural light, it may be worth adding some window treatments or curtains that block out the sun. Curtains are also great for blocking noise from the outside world when you want to relax inside.
Another simple solution is vertical blinds that come in various colors and textures. They’re often inexpensive and easy to install and work well for living rooms or bedrooms where too much light may cause you to wake up too early on weekends. You can find them in any home improvement store and on Amazon.
Window replacement companies are also a good choice because they help keep the air conditioning in and stop drafts from coming through. When choosing what type of curtain you want, take measurements and think about color schemes before purchasing. For example, striped panels go well with contemporary homes, while blackout curtains fit nicely into traditional spaces.
Over To You
There are several wonderful methods to make your house feel cozy and welcoming. Others that come to mind are aromatherapy, mirrors, throw pillows, and blankets, but the list is endless. However, I hope this list of decorating suggestions was sufficient to get you started. Better still, engage a reputable interior designer, and they’ll transform your space into a paradise. Don’t take our word for it; try them today.