10 Things That Make a Home Cozy

10 Things That Make a Home Cozy

Everyone wants to create their home in a way that makes them and their guests want to spend time there. That means making it warm and welcoming. And the good thing is that you do not have to renovate your entire home just to make it feel cozy. If you are worried that to achieve this you will have to take on a living room or kitchen remodel project, well, not necessarily. Sometimes, making your home feel cozy involves adding some texture to every room. Here are 10 things that make a home cozy that you can put to use in your own home.

Soft Flooring

You cannot talk about things that make a home cozy without mentioning the floor. And some of the best flooring to consider are laminate and hardwood flooring. However, these two types of flooring can get a bit cold underneath your feet during the cold season. To solve this issue, get a rug for your home. Fortunately, there is no place where you cannot place a rug in the house. If your bathroom design allows it, you can also place a big rug there. And if not, you can use smaller rugs to make the place inviting. Imagine getting out of a warm shower and stepping on cold bathroom floors. The feeling is not great. With some rugs there, you can at least avoid this distress.

The kitchen can also benefit from some Persian rugs. Most people use them not only for comfort but also for appeal. The good thing about rugs is that you can remove them during warmer seasons and enjoy your residential flooring. Another alternative is carpeting. Carpets help insulate and soften up rooms, hence giving them some warmth. Plus, you can also place area rugs on top of carpets, and they will not look odd at all. However, remember to choose a rug color or pattern that blends with the house. You do not want to end up with a crashing effect that does not exactly give that cozy feeling.

Natural Lighting

Natural lighting is also one of the things that make a home cozy. Generally, light affects our mood or mental health. The most obvious way to add more natural lighting is by installing larger windows. Consider window replacement to allow more natural sunlight into your home. If replacement windows are not an option for you, consider a skylight. It is a fun choice that will bring additional light to your home in a unique and effective way. Although the initial cost may be on the higher side, in the long run, it can actually help reduce your electricity bills.

Another great idea is through mirrors and shiny decorative objects. Decorate your home with a mirror and other reflective objects as that will help increase the amount of light in a room. Furniture pieces made of metals, glass, and chrome are a great start. These elements will help bounce sunlight around the room, hence brightening it. You may also want to trim your trees or plants. As much as they help improve your curb appeal, they might also be the culprit of blocking light. When they overgrow, they will reduce the amount of natural light coming into the house. Get in touch with a company that offers a tree trimming service to get rid of the overgrown greenery obstructing natural light.

Artwork

If you are looking for things that make a home cozy, you will want to avoid having empty walls in your house. Even if you are not in the right financial position to invest in original artwork, that does not mean you cannot get art pieces. Visit a home decor store, and you will find multiple affordable art pieces for your wall. On the other hand, if you would rather have an original piece, even if it is one, then go for it. However, ensure you get fine art appraisal services if you have never dealt with art dealers before. The last thing you would wish is to spend a lot of money on art only to find it is not something original.

When hanging pieces on your walls, here is an important tip you will want to remember. If you have a narrow wall, choose small pieces and for a bigger wall, go with large canvas art pieces. Also, before hanging them, arrange your pieces on the floor and get the arrangement you like. This gives you a clear picture of how the paintings will look after they have been hanged. If you have a family, do not forget to add some photo frames around the house, especially on bookshelves or on top of the fireplace mantle.

A Comfortable Temperature

Your home’s temperature can either be a warm and cozy place that people want to stay or an uncomfortable place that your family members will complain about. During winter, one of the things that make a home cozy is the warm temperature. Start by reversing the ceiling fans. That will help the ceiling fan pull air up, which means that warm air, which naturally tends to rise, will be directed downwards to where people are sitting. This method helps your home’s temperature remain constant. Do not forget to turn off the fan when not using a room to save on electricity. You should also inspect the furnace. Ensure that your heater is working correctly by doing a basic inspection. If you notice any issues, make an appointment with a professional for furnace repairs. Your furnace will be fixed early, ensuring everyone is comfortable.

Another important tip is having your home air sealed. When your home is not well sealed, a lot of heat escapes during the winter. This not only overworks your AC, but you will also not enjoy improved indoor air quality. Inspect your home and check those areas that could allow air to escape, then have them taken care of. Do not forget about installing a programmable thermostat. Instead of doing any guesswork all the time on what is the right temperature for your home, a programmable thermostat will automatically adjust the temperature for you.

Coordinated Furniture

You might not know this, but your choice of furniture can also play a huge role in making your home feel cozy. For instance, while a white couch might be aesthetically pleasing, it does not exactly say welcome. So if you are going with a cozy feeling, be cautious of the colors you choose. Also, pay attention to how you arrange your furniture. Avoid having too much space between the furniture in the room. Too much space will only make an area feel sparse or empty. Subconsciously, people in that house may also feel like they need to shout while conversing. Interior design experts recommend that the distance between two pieces of furniture be no more than 18 inches.

When arranging furniture around your coffee table, it is important to make sure all items complement each other in terms of size. A small coffee table can easily get swallowed by larger pieces. Plus, that will only create an imbalance that makes your home look like there is so much unused space. One of the things that make a home cozy in such a situation is replacing the coffee table with a large ottoman. This type of furniture removes corners or sharp edges that come with hard-surfaced furniture, hence filling a space in a way that feels less rigid. You can also make a room feel cozy by arranging your furniture so that they face each other. The arrangement promotes conversation, hence making it conducive for connections.

An Outdoor Hangout Spot

When looking for things that make a home cozy, do not just focus on the indoors. You can designate a space outdoors to simply relax with friends and family. One of the major options that most people go with is a patio. You can transform your backyard into a patio by combining outdoor furniture, some landscaping, decor, and any other components you would like to have. Do not forget to add a fire pit. It will come in handy when you simply want to unwind, even after the sun has gone down. Another alternative is a deck. The deck is similar to a patio, with a few differences in terms of construction. Otherwise, they serve the same purpose, which is relaxation outdoors.

If you are looking to enjoy an outdoor hangout space that will not be affected by different weather conditions, build a sunroom. When building a sunroom, keep in mind that it needs to be located in the part of the house that receives a lot of sunlight in the better part of the day. Something else to keep in mind is that you can build a custom sunroom or buy a prefabricated kit. One of the advantages of custom building is that you can design the sunroom in a way that matches your home’s architecture. On the other hand, there are many designs of prefabricated kits, and if you are not in a hurry, take your time to research various vendors and find something that blends with your home.

Matching Appliances

If you ask any homeowner planning to upgrade their home which rooms they want to focus on, you can be sure the kitchen will make it on the list. That is because a kitchen is considered the heart of a home. So when you are thinking of things that make a home cozy, do not forget the kitchen. One of the ways to make it inviting is by getting matching appliances. Mixing appliances can be a distraction in your kitchen.

Even if you are receiving high-end kitchen remodeling services, the mismatched appliances will draw someone’s eyes towards them, and that can be a turnoff. When appliances are in the same colors, they blend in together and give your kitchen a cohesive look. You do not even need to buy from the same manufacturers. As long as they are in the same color, that is enough. The most common colors people buy are stainless steel, white and black. As long as you choose the same color and stick to it, the brand will not matter.

Plants

The reason why plants fall on the list of things that make a home cozy is that they bring life to a room. Any living element will definitely add to that cozy sensation you are looking for. Be forewarned, though, that at some point, one or five of your plants might die. This is a harsh reality that most gardeners have come to terms with. However, do not give up yet, as this is a learning experience. Fortunately, plants are not that costly. And even for those that are costly, you can learn to propagate from what you already have. Another important tip is to buy low-maintenance plants, like a snake or rubber plant.

Blankets

Nothing looks cozier than a pile or throwing blankets on your couch. Throw pillows and blankets are among the top things that make a home feel cozy. They have this way of making you feel like you are at home. Therefore, choose a knit blanket in a color that matches other fabrics in your home, such as the rug or curtain.

Scents

The last item on things that make a home cozy is the scent. In the same way as things you see or touch can give you that warm feeling, so can scent. Even with coordinated furniture, matching appliances, and more natural lighting, if someone can still smell the cod you made last night, you will not have achieved that cozy feel you are going for. There are many ways you can scent your home. You only need to pick the method that works for you and a scent you love. Try scented candles, wax melts, incense, or flowers. Also, choose a scent that feels welcoming. Once you experience the power of scent in a home, you will never go back.

As seen above, some of the things that make a home cozy are not that costly. It is simply being intentional with how you want your home to feel and look. From the tips mentioned, you can tell which aspects may be lacking in your home. Work on them to create a cozy home.

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