Plants transform any room into a cozy living environment – photo courtesy of svetikd / E+
Does home feel like a welcoming, cozy oasis where you want to spend time? If not, maybe it's time for a refresh and you don't have to spend a fortune. Creating a comfortable living environment doesn't have to mean expensive renovations and completely new furniture. Carrie Leskowitz, designer and author of Om for the Home, says there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to make your home cozier. A few small, thoughtful changes can make a big difference, she says.
Here are 10 simple tips to transform your home into a cozy sanctuary you'll never want to leave.
Add a rug
Rugs add texture and atmosphere to any cozy home – photo courtesy of Rifle Paper Co.
Rugs are a great way to accent a room. Whether you place it in the entryway or in the living room, a rug will significantly change the look of any room. We recommend the Palais Luxembourg printed rug from Rifle Paper Co. for its vibrant patterns and colors. They are machine woven for durability and have a cotton canvas backing to prevent slipping.
Big Picture Farm's Icelandic sheepskin rug is another cozy option. Place this plush rug on hardwood floors or drape it over a sofa.
Incorporate fragrances
Candles give your home an inviting look and smell – Photo courtesy of Tuscany Candle
A scented candle on the bedside table or kitchen counter can create a sanctuary for the senses and a cozy living atmosphere. Tuscany Candles offers a variety of scents and some of their candles can burn for up to 60 hours.
Incorporating scents can make things warm and cozy – photo courtesy of Sans Savon
Leskowitz also recommends scented hand soaps and dish soap. Vanilla, cinnamon, and pumpkin spice give off warm, inviting scents, but she also loves fresh scents that remind her of nature, like lavender or pine needles.
Try Sans Savon's Charlevoix Boreal Forest Blend Hand Wash, which is soap-free and uses a blend of recycled avocado oil and xylitol to clean. Essential oils from balsam fir, white and black spruce and peppermint create a refreshing, invigorating scent.
Make it personal
Mixbook photos create a more personal look – photo courtesy of Mixbook
As a travel writer, I love filling my home with images of my adventures. Publishing platforms like Mixbook make it easy to upload any photo from your phone to the website to create frame-worthy canvas prints, photo books, and calendars.
“It's an easy and affordable way to add a personal touch to your home,” says Ellie Trebino Kelm, design manager at Mixbook. “DIY decorating projects not only save money, but also bring a unique value and sentimentality that you can’t get with mass-produced decor.”
Introduce textures
A soft throw will keep you cozy in your cozy home – photo courtesy of Kinross Cashmere
Adding some cozy items like blankets and pillows is an easy way to instantly warm up a room. It's a cost-effective way to make your rooms cozy. Create a reading nook by pairing a comfortable chair with a plush throw like the Kinross Cashmere cable knit blanket. It measures 65 x 50 inches and is available in 11 colors. Made from a cashmere blend, it's super luxe and great for relaxing with a good book.
Leskowitz suggests switching out throw pillows throughout the seasons. “In warmer weather, I like pillows and pillows with a lighter texture, like linen and cotton,” she says. In the winter months, opt for velor and faux fur.
A beautiful woven basket is another great option that serves as both home decor and storage. We like the Bright Day Hamper from Ten Thousand Villages. Place it in your bathroom as a laundry basket or place it in your living room where you can store your new cozy blankets!
Layer the lighting
Forget overhead lighting and opt for lamps to create a cozy home atmosphere – Photo courtesy of TG23 / iStock Via Getty Images Plus
The right lighting can completely transform a room, says interior designer Laura Brophy of Newport Beach, California.
“Warm lighting creates a relaxing atmosphere and can make your home feel like a retreat,” she says.
Brophy suggests replacing harsh white bulbs with warm tones. Additionally, try “layering” your lighting with table lamps, floor lamps, and candlelight instead of defaulting to ceiling lights.
Elevate your bedding
Upgrading your bedding is essential to creating a cozy home – photo courtesy of eliandelm.com
There's a reason why luxury hotels rely on comfortable mattresses and linens. It's the ultimate pampering and can improve sleep quality. Bring the luxury hotel experience home by investing in high-quality bedding and creating a cozy home feeling.
Downright's Likedown mattress topper offers plushness and everyday comfort so you can rest easy. Handcrafted in Brooklyn, New York, Likedown filling ensures you stay cool at night. Eli & Elm's Everyday Memory Foam Pillow is great for head and neck support. Its memory foam and superfine polyester fiber provide soft comfort all night long.
Bring nature indoors with plants
Plants bring the outside in – photo courtesy of Jean Chen Smith
Houseplants are a great option for cozy interior design and provide an opportunity to connect with nature without having to go outside. Plants also improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen through photosynthesis.
“If you're on a budget, even a sprig of eucalyptus or a collected branch in a vase can work wonders,” adds Brophy.
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Invest in statement pieces
Invest in statement pieces for a cozy home atmosphere – photo courtesy of Castlery
Investing in a statement piece or two will go a long way toward creating a cozy home. Instead of buying a completely new living room furniture, consider adding a piece. Castlery's Solange leather chair offers luxurious comfort with its mid-century modern aesthetic. The frame is made of high-quality engineered wood and the seat is made of durable grained leather.
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Transform your bathroom into a spa
Transform your bathroom into a spa retreat – Photo courtesy of FarmHouse Fresh
Creating a home wellness oasis in your bathroom is easier and more cost-effective than you might think.
Start with small accessories like a bamboo bath mat or soft bath towels and add some candles. Swap out your basic shower head for a rainfall shower head or one with different pressure settings. Upgrade your toiletries with pampering products like FarmHouse Fresh's Pink Bubbletini Bath & Body Retreat Kit, a four-piece body care set that's beautifully packaged and great for display.
Put the thing on
Stay comfortable in cozy loungewear from Petal & Pup – Photo courtesy of Petal & Pup
With more Americans working from home than ever before, loungewear has become extremely popular and is available in a variety of fabrics and styles. Available in three colors, Petal & Pup's Silvie Long Sleeve Knit Set is fashionable and comfortable. The knit fabric is stretchy and flattering whether you're hanging out at home or running errands around town.
You may also want to invest in some cozy sleepwear, like the Pima Crew Long-Long Set from Lake Pajamas. It's super soft and comfortable and made from 100% Pima cotton, which is suitable all year round due to its breathability.