How to Create a Cozy Environment in Your Home
Are you feeling stressed out by a heavy workload and family responsibilities? Do you struggle to settle down and relax at the end of the day? Your home environment may be to blame.
A cozy home has the potential to settle our nerves and offer a place of sanctuary after a hectic day. While interior decorating may not be on your priorities list right now, a few simple changes could significantly improve your mental health.
So, if your rooms look a little drab and unwelcoming, we’ve put together six top tips for creating a comfortable home your family will love (and your friends will envy!).
Keep your home light and airy by using lighter colors on the walls
While deep colors may feel adventurous and sophisticated, they can make a room feel dark and dismal, particularly if you have small windows or low levels of natural light. Light colors such as beige, off-white, cream, dusty greys, and pastels could help create an environment that feels fresh and uncluttered. In the long term, a bright room will lower stress levels and ensure your brain remains sharp.
Remember – creating a cozy environment is not all about investing in fluffy throws and warm lights. Embracing comfort is a holistic practice that involves listening to your mind and body.
Add plants to every room for an earthy feel
Plants are having a moment right now. As well as adding a touch of sophistication to a room, these green miracles have been shown to improve wellbeing in the following ways:
- Improve memory and attentiveness
- Lower anxiety levels
- Boost mood and reduce stress levels
- Inspire creativity
If you’re getting used to working from home or need a dedicated space to unwind, we recommend investing in a gorgeous indoor garden. The species and size of plants are very much up to you. However, popular houseplants include lavender, aloe vera, eucalyptus plants, peace lilies, money plants, spider plants, and succulents.
Use natural materials like wood, stone, and metal in decorating
Too many synthetic materials can make a room feel cold and uninspiring. To tackle this problem, try injecting your home with rugged natural textures such as wood, metal, and stone. From wood paneling and stone floors to rustic coffee tables, there are countless ways to improve the textural variety in your home. If you’re struggling for ideas, Pinterest has tons of gorgeous images to get your creative juices flowing.
Invest in a fireplace or other heating system that creates a cozy atmosphere
A roaring fireplace represents the epitome of comfort, evoking feelings of family togetherness and serene winter evenings. While traditional fireplaces have fallen out of fashion due to environmental issues, there are plenty of contemporary alternatives available that are just as homey and welcoming. Bioethanol fires, for example, run on clean biofuel that won’t destroy the air quality of your home. Other options include electric heaters or gas stoves, both of which produce impressive amounts of heat and will help to keep your home feeling snuggly when the bitter months hit.
Make sure you have enough seating for everyone – both inside and outside of your home
After a tough couple of years of social distancing, many of us are starting to welcome each other back into our homes. Whether you’re hosting a casual gathering or a sophisticated evening soiree, you’ll need to ensure your guests can take a seat both inside and outside the house.
A large sofa or cozy seating suite will work well in the living room. For your outdoor space, consider investing in weather-proof folding chairs that can also be used inside. In so doing, you can maximize your seating capacity for large events.
Take care of any clutter so it doesn’t get out of hand
Clutter is the enemy of coziness. As well as making your room look ramshackle, it can generate negative emotions. According to research, clutter can increase cortisol levels, leading to stress, anxiety, and even long-term problems with depression.
Fortunately, decluttering is relatively simple and (whisper it) could even be fun! Start your decluttering journey by making a list of all the items in your room you absolutely cannot do without. Pile these into a corner to ensure they’re safe from the dreaded throwaway pile and get to work on the rest of your possessions.
Many of us hold onto much more stuff than we actually need, something which can lead to overcrowded draws and messy floors. If you’re decluttering your bedroom, for example, spend time considering whether you need every item of clothing in your wardrobe. That cocktail dress you wore once over a decade ago could be better used by someone else! Don’t hesitate to donate underused items to charity and send any tatty bits of furniture or clothing to a recycling plant. Avoiding landfills will help to calm your mind even more once you’re reveling in your newly decluttered space!
What Makes a Home Cozy?
It is the feeling you get when you are in it. Does the home create tension or remove it? A cozy home is a place where you can retreat and recharge. The concept of cozy is different for every person. For some, rustic elements like wood, marble, and “alpine cabin vibes” are cozy, but to others, it is sleek minimalism with chrome and leather.
Don’t let this blog or anyone else dictate what “cozy” is to you. You know what makes you comfortable and relaxed. Pursue that. These suggestions are taken from designers, decorators, and homemakers who are attempting to create cozy home spaces for clients and family. Your experience may vary and that is absolutely okay. Take these ideas as inspiration or reject them completely and forge your own unique path to a cozy home.
