The Cozy Home

Hey there design lovers, the air is getting crisp and we are going full on cozy today. We all want that warm welcoming vibe in our homes no matter the style of our spaces. Making them feel inviting is always the goal. So today we're doing a little design magic and going step by step through eight simple ways to make your home feel Let's go. First up layers. Really that's what needs to be top of mind when we're trying to create cozy spaces and all the other ideas we talk about today are pieces to the layering puzzle. We've got layers and levels of lighting, layers on your sofa with throw pillows and blankets, layers on your walls with artwork and mirrors, layers on your windows with drapery and shades and layers on your tabletops and shelves with the way you style surfaces. So as you're creating your cozy home keep t It's really about creating that feeling of welcoming warmth and creating visual layers is how to do that. First impressions are everyt The areas where your family and your guests enter your home are prime real estate for immediately setting the mood of your space. There's really no substitution for the warm inviting feeling of a welcoming entry so it's important to spend some time creating a cozy atmosphere in these spaces. First things first you've got to have organization systems in place to keep the spaces from getting cluttered with daily essentials So incorporate hooks, boot trades and boxes to make it easy to stash these t Now we have a garage entrance to our home and it's where my family and I always enter our house so creating an organized welcoming area in that space was top priority for me. Of course I want all the guests who come through the front door to have a warm welcoming feeling when they enter as well but equally as important I want to have that feeling every time I enter my home too So incorporating these organization items as well as a lamp, artwork, a room diffuser and a textural rug really do make a huge difference on how we feel entering our home. Now all these same principles apply when I'm decorating my front foyer. I want my guests to immediately fill at home so Include things All of these t Next up, lighting. T Opt for warm, soft lighting to create a comfortable atmosphere. T So around 3000 Kelvin is my go-to. T Plus if you have the opportunity to put your lights on dimmers, do it. It will literally change the ambiance of your home immediately. You can always shop for lamps that have built-in dimming capabilities if dimming your overhead lights isn't an option. Also a few pro tips for lighting. When it comes to light bulbs, always go for frosted bulbs, even for your candle-lober sizes because the frosted cover helps minimize the shadow that's cast on the inside of the shade from the lamp harp. You'll thank me later for that one. Another quick and easy trick is to amp up the cozy factor by switc Not only does t Even if you don't want a super dark or pattern shade, just a slightly nubby texture of an oatmeal colored linen or the tailored simplicity of pleats can really make a big impact on the overall feel of your room and up the cozy factor immediately. And don't forget about candles. I mean, what is more inviting than candle light? Really not They give off a beautiful cozy light, but also add a wonderful scent to your home if you're using a scented candle, w Now let's talk textures. Mixing different textures can immediately make your home feel cozier and a lot more layered and welcoming. Add some chunky knit blankets, velvet cus And what's more cozier than that? I also It'such an easy and affordable way to make these hard surface rooms way more cozy and inviting. And speaking of hard surfaces, don't forget to play up textures on items T So combine textures Next up, let's talk about soft furnis Investing in a comfy sofa or armchair that you and your guests will love sinking into is really a great idea if you want to add that cozy factor to your room. And don't be afraid to layer on the cus Creating these welcoming seating situations is really a key component of creating and inviting space. Rugs also play a big role in adding warmth and softness to a space, especially in areas with hard flooring My suggestion is to use a rug that really grounds the space. So go for as large a size as possible and don't be afraid to introduce color and texture through your rugs as well. T For your cozy color palette, think about using earth tones and soft neutrals These colors evoke a sense of comfort and coziness perfect for making your home feel inviting. I So with that mindset, you have the opportunity to introduce these warm welcoming colors through your rugs Now, one of my personal favorite ways to bring in these warm, earthy tones is through natural elements When we include these types of items in our home, there's an immediate sense of being grounded in the space because nature has a calming effect on all of us. I also love that through these natural elements, we can create that connection between our interiors and the world outside our windows. That's a powerful feeling and an easy way to connect to the seasonal s Leaning a little more into that connection to nature, I love that home fragrance can really marry our interior spaces with what's going on outdoors each season. A beautiful scent is a powerful way to evoke an inviting, welcoming feeling and a way to honor the seasonal so use diffusers, candles, room sprays, or fresh flowers to create a lovely inviting fragrance because scent can instantly change the mood of a space and make it feel more Now, let's be sure to address the vertical real estate in our homes when we're making t Artwork, mirrors, sconces, drapery, and even unique sculptural wall decor all play into creating those layers For wall decor, my rule of th Now artwork could be Whatever suits your fancy just as long as you focus on adorning your walls with somet For window treatments, it can be a mix of full drapery panels, cafe curtains, roman shades, or even balances but regardless of the application, adding window treatments to your room is Now let me know in the comments what your favorite cozy tip from today was and if you want even more decorating ideas for your home, you're definitely going to want to watch t Also, don't forget to connect with me over on Instagram and our blog at Ashley C I really value having that connection with all of you. Thanks so much for watc Have fun decorating your own cozy spaces and fall in love with where you live one room at a time.