Thanks to the cold weather and recent increase in Covid-19 cases, many of us will be spending a lot of time at home this winter. It’s a good time to think about how you can spruce up your home. Just because you can’t go on vacation during the winter holidays doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them. Instead, you can transform your apartment or house into the perfect holiday destination. Here’s how to make your home so cozy you won’t want to leave all winter long. 

Choose colors wisely 

Some colors are better at giving off a cozy vibe than others. Warm toned colors, such as deep reds, burnt oranges, and mustard yellows are great for an autumn palette. Soft neutrals like beige and cream look best in the winter. Colors like black or hot pink are a bit too severe and intense. Stick to warm tones and muted colors to evoke feelings of relaxation and coziness. 

Rugs 

Bare floors are cold! Make sure your feet don’t miss out on the warm, cozy feeling in your home. Get yourself some soft, warm rugs. In addition to insulating your home from the cold, rugs can change the look of a whole room. Fuzzy ones are cute and perfect for winter, but be warned that they can be difficult to vacuum. 

Throw Pillows and Blankets 

Coziness isn’t just about interior design, it’s also about being comfortable. Adding throw pillows to your couch will spruce up your living room and make lounging around all the more amazing. You can also keep a small blanket on your couch.

Knit blankets are particularly good for increasing the coziness of your sofa in visual and tactile ways. 

Candles

Candles can make any space feel cozier. Candlelight helps promote relaxation and rest.You can get candles in almost any scent or size – be sure to get one that feels soothing. If you’re worried accidentally setting something in your home on fire, get some electric flameless candles. Some electric flameless candles even have moving wicks that look realistic. Enjoy all of the aesthetic benefits of a candle with none of the fire hazards. 

Books

Libraries often have a warm, comforting feel to them. If you own some books, consider strategically leaving them out or storing them in a way that makes your home feel cozy. If your bookshelves are tucked away in your bedroom or home office, consider moving them to the living room. Alternatively, you can place a few on your coffee table. 

Art

Bare walls can make a place seem cold and empty. Put up some artwork that warms up your home. Like we mentioned earlier, colors are important. Retro images or nature paintings in warm and neutral colors will bring some more coziness to your home. The frames you put your artwork in also matter. Tan or white frames go well with warm and neutral toned artwork. 

Lights

Lighting greatly affects the ambiance of every room in your house. If you opt for fluorescent overhead lighting, your home will feel like an office or cafeteria. Warm, orange or yellow toned lighting gives off more of a homelike, cozy feeling. In addition to choosing warm tones for your main sources of light, you can use smaller lamps to maximize coziness. String lights are a classic cozy home staple. A cute bedside lamp can help you settle in at night. 

Aroma 

If candles aren’t your thing, consider getting an essential oil diffuser. The aroma of a room greatly affects its mood. In addition, space heaters can give off an unpleasant smell that you might want to mask. Scents are very personal, but if you’re looking for one that exudes coziness, pick an essential oil that helps you feel soothed and relaxed. 

Plants

Plants add a bit of life to your home. Winter plants, like poinsettias and Christmas cactuses can make your home feel festive during the holidays. The pots your plants are in can also change the atmosphere of your home. Rustic planters help create a lived-in, cozy vibe. 

Organize, but not too much 

Messy homes don’t come across as cozy. Tidying up a little will make your home warmer and more inviting. You can even buy baskets or other cute organizers that add to the coziness of your home. But make sure not to organize too much. Minimalist interiors give off a cool, sleek vibe, which isn’t exactly cozy. You want your home to have a lived-in, well-loved look. Having a few knick knacks laying around gives your space some character.