The Cozy Home Checklist: Small Changes for a Big Sense of Comfort

There’s a persistent chill in the air. The sun sets earlier and earlier every day. Winter is here, and since you won’t find your warmth and comfort outdoors for a few months, let’s talk about how you can create it in your home! A cozy home is a must for the winter months, and there are so many simple ways to set that scene in your own home.  

In this article, we’ll share some easy ideas to maximize comfort without minimizing your bank account. So, grab that hot cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa and start thinking about which of these items belong on your cozy home checklist.

Declutter

Let’s just get this out of the way: A cluttered house is not the best foundation for a cozy home. Spend some time removing things you don’t need or that don’t contribute to a comforting environment. As you’re cleaning, remember that there’s a difference between tidy and bare. Throughout this article, we’ll recommend things to add to your space. The key is making thoughtful choices with your decor, keeping your space in mind.

Light Some Cozy Candles

Candles can be a great source of low, ambient, warm lighting in your home. Find your season’s signature scent and let it fill the rooms you’re spending time in. Of course, do not leave your candles unattended! If you aren’t a fan of scented candles, you can still enjoy the pleasant flickering flames while you tuck into a nice book or movie.  

Woodwick candles can help you capture that lovely crackling sound of a fireplace if your home doesn’t have one already—or if you don’t feel like going through the trouble of lighting yours.

Liven Up Rooms with Plants

Depending on where you live, the outdoors are probably starting to look a bit desolate. Winter can be so beautiful with a gentle dusting of fresh snow. But other times, the lack of life and light outside can bring down the mood! So, instead of waiting for spring to have sprung, liven up your home with indoor plants.  

Pothos, spider plants, snake plants, or monsteras are all relatively easy plants to maintain, and they add a lively pop of green to your home. If you don’t trust your green thumb just yet, you could start with a succulent. Taking care of plants might feel like a chore at first, but they’re well worth it. There are many different applications you can get on your phone to help you keep everything alive.  

Now, if you have pets, be extra careful that your plants are not poisonous, or that you have a secure place to put them if they aren’t pet friendly.

Warm Up Your Lighting

String lights are plenty popular this time of year and rightfully so! When tastefully hung, they can create a cozy ambiance in or outside your home. Look for warm bulbs. You can also boost the comforting vibes by adding lamps throughout your home. Overhead lighting can be a bit harsh depending on your home, so adding a few tableside or floor lamps can be a good way to keep things cozy while still being able to see where you’re going!

Add Textures and Layers

Some thoughtfully placed blankets and throw pillows can go a long way toward making your room feel cozier. Play with different fabrics and textures for the pillows and blankets. These small differences can make the room feel more lived in. If you have room in the budget for a nice rug, that could really elevate the coziness and cohesion of the space.

Create Zones of Comfort

Of course, you probably want the whole home to feel comfortable and inviting, but you likely don’t spend equal amounts of time in every part of your house. Consider which rooms you hang out in the most—maybe the living room or an office—and think about how you can maximize the comfort in those areas.  

Perhaps you can reorient the furniture and add some warm lighting to create a cozy reading nook in your office. Basically, give a little extra attention to the higher traffic parts of your home.

Keep the Cold Out

A big part of boosting the coziness of your home during the winter is, naturally, keeping it warm. There are costlier ways to do this, like improving your heating system or adding more insulation. However, you could also consider getting a space heater—just be sure you don’t keep it on when you leave the room. Another good, lower cost way to keep the cold air out of your home is applying weatherstrips to windows and doors.

Happy Holidays!

We hope you have a cozy, comfortable holiday season no matter what your cozy home checklist ends up including! Even as the weather gets colder, there are so many ways to keep your spirits high and your heart full this time of year. Stay warm and enjoy the season!