Cozy Corners: How To Add Warmth to Your Home in Tiny Ways
Photo courtesy of MMW Architects via Houzz
Hygge may be so 2017, but it’s the vibe you want when the temperatures start to dip. Even hygge haters have to admit there’s nothing better than a warm and cozy look at home to fight the bitter wind outside.
But not every person loves this curated Danish look—and it’s a ton of work to create a new design when the seasons change. Instead, we’re here to suggest small ways to infuse your rooms with the best parts of hygge, the little details that really matter when you’re feeling a bit chilled.
To guide you to your best and coziest life this fall and winter, check out these genius ways to add warmth and softness just where you need it most.
Layer your blankets
Summer bedding is lightweight and cool. But when frigid temps roll around, get out those layers. An extra throw at the end of the bed is one way to add warmth.
Want to really amp up the coziness in your bedroom? Then pick up a faux fur blanket or chunky knit. The layering technique also works on the back of your couch, your favorite reading chair, and even on the floor with a second soft rug topping your main one.
“My favorite spot for coziness is a bedroom corner near a window that lets in the afternoon sun,” says Lindsay Roselle, a lifestyle and design coach.
Like many of us, Roselle works from home and has created a cozy area in her home office so she can step away from her computer to take a break to read or write in her journal.
Noelle Isbell, principal and founder of Noelle Interiors, recommends “lush fabrics such as linens and chenilles over a chair for extra softness as well as visual interest.”
Swap out your lighting
Roselle prioritizes lighting when it comes to creating pockets of coziness in the home. Adding more task lighting in the form of table lamps, rather than relying on harsh overhead fixtures, is a good start. And don’t forget about window treatments.
“Soft window coverings to filter sunlight in my bedroom and office feels warm and inviting,” says Roselle.
Lisa Davis, content creator at RetailMeNot, also suggests an inexpensive color-changing smart bulb.
“They come in every size for any lamp, and they allow you to change the scene right from your phone so can instantly bring warmth to your rooms,” she says.
Finally, hanging curtains on windows will filter and warm the light streaming through.
Amp up the pillows
Swapping out bright summer florals and stripes for more muted tones and textures (think velvet, corduroy, and tweed) is already top of mind when fall rolls around.
Pamela O’Brien, the principal designer of Pamela Hope Designs, loves a window seat.
“When it’s filled with comfy throw pillows and a pretty window treatment, it looks beautiful and welcoming,” she says. “And even if you don’t have time to hang out there, it still makes you happy as you pass by.”
But as you change your accessories, design experts urge homeowners to increase the number of pillows and cushions, even to the brink of overload.
The reason? More is more when it comes to softness here, whether your pillow pile is on the bed, a book nook, or a sweet window seat where you take your tea.
Make a warm beverage station
Photo by Dura Supreme Cabinetry
See ya, iced latte! Speaking of your morning cuppa or java, coziness this fall and winter relies heavily on having a warm mug in your hand whenever you feel the need. To make this easier, set up a little cubby for cups, tea, a sugar bowl, and small spoons.
No designated nook? Clear a shelf in the kitchen or place a tray on your counter or kitchen island, and arrange your beverage station.
Hang up fiber arts
Houzz
Your walls need warmth, too. And artful hangings made from yarn, fabric, raffia, or other natural materials is a fun way to create the perfect fall vignette. You can even help bring back a fad by mounting woven designs like macrame.
Hanging tapestries on walls not only adds visual interest, it also eliminates any chilly drafts and lonely echoes in your rooms, notes Andra DelMonico, lead interior designer with Trendey.
Use natural materials
Wooden bowls for fruit, cutting boards arrayed on your backsplash, and pretty green plants lining the window still are just a few ways to bring warm, natural elements to the kitchen.
When you’re ready to shift into hygge gear, use these materials instead of brightly colored melamine and plastic. You can even take this step into the dining room or bar area if you have one by bringing out dishes in autumnal shades and colored glassware for cocktails.
Scent your rooms
Davis craves a warm fragrance around the house and leans on extracts like vanilla, peppermint, or cinnamon simmering in a small pot on the stove.
“Or turn your room into a cozy, intimate sanctuary by lighting candles or even using candles on timers at the same hour every day,” she says.
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