I think I say “this is my most asked design question” to a lot of things! But really, this one is the most asked right now…
“Tell me How to have a cozy home!”
I just laugh and think- well, get a home around 1200square feet with standard height ceilings. Done!
No not true. ANYONE can have a cozy home. Honestly. I took some time and thought, what makes a home cozy? I know a lot of you are craving this cozy home right now in the winter. But we should shoot for this all year. And this is actually one of my goals.
“Create a Cozy home ALL year round, not just at Christmas.”
To be honest with you I was dreading Christmas decor season to end because I love the twinkle lights more than anything. So that is where it all started…with the twinkle lights.
Cozy Tip #1- Twinkle Lights and Candles
I am sure you have heard me shout if off the roof tops if you follow me on social media.
I recently added THESE twinkle lights to the glass jars I have in our bookcase.
If you remember at Christmas time I had mini trees in the bookcase, I loved the warm glow of the lights. So I found a way to replace that feeling. The twinkle lights I used come with battery pack that I hide behind the jar in the back and also a remote control! Easy way to turn on lights.
And you know I have to say it- light a candle or two! Get in the habit of creating #hygge (read more about #hygge and how to say it:) HERE)
My large green glass jars can be found HERE and HERE
Cozy Tip #2- Add Texture
Baskets, woven blankets and RUGS are key players in the texture cozy game!
Another way to add texture is with your window treatments.
Woven Wood Shades will instantly make a room feel cozy- not only because of the texture but because of the color and weight. They frame a window and in my case the Woven Shades draw your eye up and frame the cozy setting.
You can find similar Woven Wood Shades to ours HERE and similar wreath HERE
Find my cozy jute rug HERE and nothing says NOT cozy like having a too small of a rug in a room, read my rug tips HERE
I was helping a friend re-do their front room and I had them take DOWN the white wood blinds. They were doing nothing for the view- sorry but wood blinds are not as cozy as Woven Wood Shades are. You CAN add curtain panels to make the wood blinds feel cozy.
Cozy Tip #3- Plants
I am a crazy plant lady- well maybe not too crazy yet. If you have read my blog you know I don’t have an faux plants. I have had nothing but faux. I have to say I had many influencers on my plant game. One was a designer I used to work with. I remember always going to her home and she had mini potted topiaries around her kitchen, they just felt so charming and cozy to me. I don’t remember coming home and changing out everything, it took some time. But I for sure had that goal in mind, her tiny little plant filled kitchen felt cozy and full of life. I wanted it too.
I just want you to picture this bookcase WITHOUT the plant. Cold right? Not cozy. Something about the way a plant fills in the space so naturally and not forced is exactly what cozy is. Read my houseplant tips HERE.
Read all my houseplant tips HERE
Cozy Tip #4- Pillows
Pillows (I was going to say cozy pillows, because that is how I describe pillows!)
Pillows that are fur, knitted, velvet or mud-cloth are cozy textures. BUT that is not all- it is all about the size and what is inside! Use down inserts whenever possible, because they are cozier! Also remember my pillows tips- use an insert that is at least a size or two bigger than the pillow case. Find down pillow inserts HERE.
Shop some of my favorite cozy pillows below by clicking on an image….
Bonus tips to have a cozy home-
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Don’t turn on an overhead light. I have said before the only reason to have on an overhead light is if you lost an earring. Use lamps, sconces and candles.
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Fill up the space with larger pieces instead of a lot of little things. Just look back at my bookcase- I don’t have a bunch of mini frames and accessories filling the shelves. Instead I hand picked favorite pieces that add to the cozy factor.
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Allow your home to look lived in, not perfect.
These amazing plug-in lights along our piano are giving me all the winter cozy vibes! Find them HERE.
Below is a video from my Instagram Stories as I update our bookcase and added new accessories AFTER Christmas! Hope it helps to make your home a little cozier.
Brooke! Your house is the is perfect hygge home! It’s warm and cozy with all the layers in neutrals which makes the plants seem even more vibrant. No one could ever hate winter in your cozy home! A beautiful place to come home to every day!
xo
Annie
Thank you Annie!!
Excited for our Hygge discussion!!
I love this so much! Cozy and hygge is what I’m all about this winter. I think we’re all longing for it in these crazy times.
Your 3 bonus tips might be my favorite of this whole list, though I like them all. It kills me when overhead lights are on–the glare is just so harsh and I never understand how people can handle it. Also, the tip to use larger pieces and not fill spaces with lots of little things is spot on.
And these photos of your home make me want to stop by and visit so much. Your daughter wearing a stocking cap and sitting in the window seat is just adorable. I want that to be me! 🙂
Thanks Lisa! I am glad you liked those!! I forget about my “cozy rules” and just think everyone does it!
And yes, come on by!!
Loved the video! It helps so much to hear your train of thought as you style. Love the fairy lights in the jars!
Thanks Joy! It’s chopped up but I thought it still helps!
Love your ideas. I think you meant to say 1,200 not 12,000 sq. ft. home.
Haha! Yes! I saw that after I had left my house…I thought oh well, I think they know what I mean! Thank you 🙂
Love the lights in your jars on the shelves! We made (well, okay, my husband made and I supervised) a chicken coop coffee table and we put little string lights inside for Christmas, but I left them in there because they are just the perfect little cozy touch. 🙂 But putting them in a glass jar/vase looks so pretty.
That sounds so unique!! Love that you left the lights up!
Ready to do wood blinds on my windows! Question, is it best to do 2 or 3 small blinds vs one on double, and triple. I have one just like your ivingroom.
Thanks
I would try to do one separate inside each window. If you have a really wide window you could do two in that spot. And yay! So exciting!!
I’ve never heard that the pillow inserts should be larger than the slip cover. Why is that? Inevitably, my pillows end up being larger when I buy new covers, but some of the IKEA covers I have are just a tad larger than my inserts.
I’m curious as to the thought process on this!
I wrote another post on it here- http://nestingwithgrace.com/how-to-pick-the-right-pillows/
Hope that helps!
I am unable to use down inserts. Do you know of any down alternative that are pretty good?
right here- http://rstyle.me/n/cwq8k7b5qwf
Ikea has good ones- but they are flatter so I go up a couple sizes
Do you a specific brand or color wooden blind that you like?
I love your warm, inviting style! Can you tell me where to purchase the natural/ white baskets?
yes! I have them all linked here- http://nestingwithgrace.com/shop-favorite-things/
Hi Brook!
I love your Instagram and blog! You are such a sweetheart!
Thank you for all your wonderful ideas. Your talent is inspiring!
Heather
Thank you Heather!! That was very kind of you to pop in and say!
First, you are just beautiful! I love your video, it is so real. Allow your home to look lived in, not perfect is one of the best pieces of advice. It seems your children are allowed to get cozy and that you are not obsessed with perfect. I know some homes where you can’t relax, afraid you will disturb something! It’s all about brand names and doing what other people do. You are refreshing, and you seem so sweet! Thank you for showing us the real life of a sweet family!
Blessings
Oh thank you Shelly! You are so kind. I sure am glad that my message came across- to not strive for perfection instead for a place people love to be. Thanks for reading and your comment.
hey girl- great tips! love the room!
Hi You!! Thanks Shawnna!