30 ml
10 ml
bundles
8.5 oz
50 oz
bundles
detergent + booster
When it comes to making a cozy home, we have to look to the Danes for inspiration.
In Danish the word hygge refers to creating a comfy atmosphere to enjoy the simple pleasures of life with the people you love. Hygge might be lighting your favorite candle as you slip into a bubble bath or baking those irresistible chocolate chip cookies and cuddling up to watch your favorite rom com. Sounds dreamy right?
Before you can hygge at home, you’ve got to make sure your space is designed to be as comfortable as possible. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of eight simple design tips to make your home more cozy.
Although fall feels like the best time to pull out these tips and tricks, remember that you can use them all year long to make your home feel like a sweet retreat from all the chaos of daily life.
1. Lower Your Lighting
Anyone who’s worked in the interior design space knows that lighting matters. When you’re trying to make your space feel as inviting and relaxing as possible, opt for warm lights rather than cool-toned overheads.
It’s also a good idea to go for big lamps and use many sources of light in a room rather than just relying on the overhead. Often, the overhead bulb is too fluorescent and bright to allow for true relaxation (we’ve all had the experience of flicking on the overhead and doing that little surprised jump).
If you don’t know exactly what lighting design you want to go for, it can be helpful to think of the spaces that you feel like you can really unwind in, like your local yoga studio or a particularly luxurious hotel you've stayed at.
Regardless of the place you think of, try to envision what the lighting is like there. This can be a good place to start when you’re revamping the lighting in your home.
2. Incorporate Candles
Speaking of indirect, warm lighting, there’s no cozier way to illuminate a room than with candlelight.
Plus, scented candles can infuse a room with a luxurious, grounding scent that can take your comfy vibes to the next level. In terms of decor, you can also use statement candles to create a centerpiece on your dining room table.
At Snif, we’ve got an irresistible lineup of warm, dreamy scents that you can choose from when you’re giving your home the cozy makeover.
Below is a list of some of our top contenders:
- Instant Karma: Instant Karma is a cardamom candle blending cardamom with black plum, vetiver, black tea, and nashi pear for a dark, dreamy scent.
- Off the Grid: Ambery, citrusy, and spicy, Off the Grid is a warm and calming scent with lily of the valley, moss, cedar, and sandalwood to take you to your happy place.
- Vow Factor: This green fig candle includes green fig, mandarin, rose, cedarwood, and tonka bean for a ripe, romantic scent that gives you that first-love feeling.
- Sweet Ash: This smooth-burning vanilla candle is a lowkey sweet, addictive scent with vanilla, fir balsam, patchouli, and white moss.
3. Rethink Your Color Scheme
When you’re looking to enhance the cozy feel in your home, it’s important to rethink your color scheme.
Colors like blue, green, purple, gray, brown, and white are all associated with calmness and groundedness. If you’re not a fan of a minimalist color scheme, don’t be afraid to use accent pieces to bring some color and life to your space.
The only thing to keep in mind is that, when you’re going for a more relaxing vibe at home, bright colors should be used more sparingly.
4. Incorporate Soothing Decor Pieces
Soothing home decor will mean something different to everyone, but there are a few pieces you can keep an eye out for to make your home feel a little bit more tranquil.
First things first, if you have a fireplace, make sure to decorate it well so that people are drawn to it and want to relax near the warmth of the fire.
In your living room, make sure you go for sofas and chairs that are truly comfortable to sit in. There’s nothing worse than a couch that looks inviting but, in reality, isn’t that comfy. The same goes for your bed.
It’s always a worthwhile investment to purchase the pillows, duvet, mattress cover, and other accessories that you need to make sure you’re getting good, restful sleep every night.
5. Add Rugs and Long Curtains
Another way to up the coziness factor in your home is to play with different textiles. Incorporating plush, soft rugs and long curtains are two simple ways to make your space feel more inviting when you’re looking to unwind after a long day.
Along with being nice to walk and lay on, rugs can help you divide and define your home which is especially useful if you have an open concept home or some rooms that are awkwardly shaped.
For example, if you want to make one corner of your living room a reading nook, placing a rug in that area will help section off the space.
Long curtains will add an element of privacy to your space and make it feel like a true escape from the rest of the world. Dark curtains in your bedroom can keep out streetlights, moonlight, and any other types of light that may interfere with the cozy vibes as you get ready for bed each night.
6. Get Creative With Blank Walls
Another way to make your space more serene is to tastefully display family photos and photos from some of your favorite vacations. This will add a bit of color and personality to the walls and remind you of some of your best memories.
For the rooms where frames might not work or when you want to mix it up a little bit, use wall art, frames, mirrors, etc. to decorate blank walls.
There’s a common misconception that the most tranquil spaces are the ones with the least decor, but that’s not true — it’s all about the type of decor you choose to put on your walls. A painting, art print, and other types of wall decor can warm up your walls (especially if they’re white!) and make your space feel more loved and lived in.
7. Use Throw Blankets and Pillows
This one may seem obvious, but it’s so important that it’s worth spelling out: throw blankets and throw pillows are the golden ticket when it comes to making a cozy home.
Don’t be afraid to fill your living room, reading nook, and bedrooms with extra blankets and pillows. Along with their functional use, they’ll make a space look instantly more welcoming and grounded.
8. Add Your Own Personality
Keep in mind that there isn’t one, perfect way to make your home more cozy because a cozy space looks different for each and every one of us. That’s why you should always incorporate your personality and add your personal flair into your home design.
Maybe you’ve always wanted a coffee mug with your favorite literary quote or one of those faux cowhide rugs. No matter what’s on that “Dream Decor” list, make sure to treat yourself to a few signature items when you’re giving your home a makeover.
9. Decorate Your Entryway
It’s easy to skip right over your front door and entryway when you’re thinking about giving your home the ultimate comfy upgrade.
However, these are the first things you encounter when you come home, so they should feel like a warm hug and kick off the cozy theme. That being said, think about placing a wreath on your door or a fun, welcoming doormat outside. Your goal should be to find something that will make you smile when you see it.
In terms of the entryway, consider placing a small bench or seating option near the door. This will give you a place to rest quickly if you need to when you come inside (or at least place the heaviest grocery bag while you put your keys away).
Spruce the space up with some art, warm lighting, and a mirror. A few hooks for hanging up jackets and coats and a plant or two can also go a long way in terms of maximizing the space while still giving it that inviting touch.
Upgrade Your Space
Making your home cozy doesn’t need to take a ton of work — just a few intentional choices and a little bit of DIY creativity.
Regardless of the specific vibe you go for, make sure that once your space is ready, you light your favorite candle, bake (or buy) your favorite dessert, and settle in to enjoy an evening of complete and total relaxation.
Sources:
(PDF) Cedar Wood Oil | ResearchGate
How do colors in my home change my mood? Color psychology explained | Mental Health America