There’s no place like home for the holidays. If you’re staying at home this holiday season, you’re in luck. Here are my top tips for making our homes feel more cozy and inviting this holiday season.
If you’re looking for an easy way to make a big impact, consider hanging curtains. Curtains can make any space instantly feel more cozy and put together. Just make sure you get the right length for the room. You can also add other fabrics like pillows, blankets and rugs to make your home more cozy and inviting.
Many basic design principles can improve your overall aesthetic. For instance, you can make small rooms feel more inviting by keeping them simple and establishing a single focal point, like a piece of wall art. A well-placed mirror can make a small space feel larger, but it might make a large space feel cavernous. Consider your personal style while thinking through your options; a space that reflects your personality will feel warmer and more inviting.
Consider a specific color palette for your home, depending on your intent. Use warm paint tones when possible. Even if you prefer neutral paint colors, opt for warm-toned whites for a cozier look. Earth tones such as brown, gray, beige and green are ideal for creating a rustic or rural farmhouse look for that cottagecore aesthetic. Designers often follow the 60-30-10 rule: Paint 60 percent of your space a neutral dominant color, 30 percent a secondary color, and 10 percent a bold accent color. Light colors tend to make a room feel more open, whereas darker colors can help ground a larger space.
Flooring makes a big difference in how your home feels. If you have tile or laminate flooring, consider swapping it out with hardwood. Not only does wood provide visual warmth, but it’s also less cold on your feet than tile flooring, giving it a cozier look and feel. And of course, a well-placed rug brightens up any room and gives you a soft and warm surface under your feet.
Pay attention to the small details. Doorways, light switches, electrical outlets, and hardware are just a few of the minor elements that can make a big difference in how your home feels.
If you have a fireplace, consider using it as a focal point of the room. Nothing sells coziness quite like a roaring fireplace in winter’s chill! Use the fireplace for both utility and aesthetic; bookshelves make a nice addition to the space right next to a fireplace. Hanging a mirror over a fireplace both makes good use of some awkward space and helps warm firelight bounce around the room.
A last tip is to use lighting to make your home feel more cozy. Small, warm sources of light throughout the home will provide a more cozy atmosphere than overhead lighting.
