*This is a collaborative guest post.
If your home is feeling a little cold, clinical or just a bit meh lately, it might be time to cosy things up a little. The good news is, you don’t need to completely redecorate or spend a fortune to make a difference. A few simple changes can make your home feel so much warmer and more inviting, creating a space that you actually want to curl up and relax in at the end of the day.
Layer your textiles
If you’re not layering your textiles already, then you should be. This is one of the simplest and most affordable ways to make your home cosier as the seasons change. You want to use the most inviting textures possible, like:
- Faux fur
- Flannel
- Chunky knit wool
You can also pair this with natural basket materials and even carpets if this is something you want to add to your property. You can drape a nice throw blanket over the arm of your sofa or use textured accent pillows. Find something that adds visual interest and depth at the same time.
Optimise your lighting
Another strategy is to optimise your lighting. Bright overhead lights make homes feel clinical and harsh. Softening these, especially for the evenings, can make an enormous difference to how your property feels.
Of course, it’s fine to have layered lighting where you have a main switch for the bright lights during the day, but as long as you add layered ambient lighting afterwards, look for bulbs labelled 2700K. Strategically place them in floor lamps, table lamps, and battery-operated fairy lights around your rooms. You should notice that the atmosphere changes almost immediately.
Tackle drafts
Drafts are the number one way to stop your home from feeling cosy. Tackling these is essential if you want a more hygge environment. All it takes is a bit of insulation board on a Saturday afternoon and you can block most cold air from entering your rooms.
Also check window seams. Adding a bit of silicone caulk around these can prevent air from flowing in and out as easily. Be careful as well to check attic hatches and unfinished basement crawl spaces. These are also areas where air can easily get through and cause rooms to feel less cosy than they should.
Bring the outdoors in
Another tactic you might want to use is to bring the outdoors in. Adding natural elements can breathe more life into a stuffy house and make it feel more welcoming, which could be cosy for you. Don’t just think about bringing in houseplants, but also add:
- Pinecones
- Branches
- Dried eucalyptus
If necessary, you could also add natural wood. Add accents for a coffee table, or even place birch logs next to the fire. Again, all of these elements can increase the sense of cosiness in the room.
Curate a signature scent
Lastly, you can make your rooms feel cosier by adding a signature scent. Oil diffusers, high-quality soy candles, and stove-top simmer pots with water and spices can all make a difference. You could also look at adding potpourri to your hallways and bathrooms.
