14 Best Tips How To Make A Room Feel Cozy

Trying to figure out how to make a room cozy feel cozy? I’ve got you covered!

There are so many different things that you can do to make your home feel extra special and a lot of them don’t cost you a thing.

Most of what makes a room work together are the choices you make in the layout and decor of the room.

Using what natural light you can to have a cozy space during the day and safe and secure at night.

Even if the weather outside is, well…. not so warm. You can make any room in your house feel warm and cozy. You just have to play on your senses.

What Cozy Is Not

I want to touch on this really quickly. Cozy living does not mean having a well-put-together house where everything looks so neat you are afraid to touch it. 

Harsh corners and bold bright colors don’t exactly give off the cozy vibes. 

What Cozy Means To You

I want you to close your eyes (when you are done reading this post of course) and think of that special place you love to go to. What is it that gets you excited and warms your heart to be there?

Is it a plate of fresh-baked cookies you know will be waiting for you? My favorite aunt is the cookie queen!

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When you walk into Grandma’s house or that special family member’s home, there is a sweet spirit and welcoming feeling when you come in.

Why is that? What makes someone’s home have that extra special spark? Think about the things you love when you are at someone else’s home.

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How To Make A Room Feel Cozy Through Sight

I love to be nerdy about these things…

Our eyes are the first thing inside a room before our heal even makes a clicking sound on the hardwood floor on the other side of the threshold.

From the first crack of the door your mind is reading the situation. The feel of the room, the moods of people in the room, seeing if there are any threats on the other side of the door. This might seem a bit dramatic but it is how your mind is wired.

You can make a judgment on a situation without anyone making a sound. Look at the image below… You can tell a lot just by what you see.

Picture it, lots of talking and dishes clanking. The smell of food and the feeling of high energy is in the air.

See what I mean?

Now granted this image doesn’t exactly give the cozy feeling we are looking for. But it makes my point beautifully.

Use this to your advantage when making choices about how you decorate your home. Making a home feel cozy means taking a pass on the crazy-looking modern art piece.

Here are some things that VISUALLY make a room feel cozy.

Potted Plants: Even if you use faux plants because you can’t keep a succulent alive that works too. Plantlife gives the elusion that the space is healthy and vibrant.

Soft Texture: Whether it is in the form of cozy throw pillows, a basket full of extra throws, or a big soft couch that welcomes you in, do what you can to soften the room.

Low Warm Light Sources For Cozy Vibes

Lighting will be the difference between a mid-century dungeon and a warm safe haven for your home.

Our whole house barely had any overhead light in the ceilings! Causing it to feel very unwelcoming. 

After a three-month-long full livingroom remodel we ended up putting these lights in the living room. I LOVE how they turned out and we use them all the time for different moods and activities.   

TORCHSTAR Essential Series 12W 6 Inch Recessed Lighting, Dimmable Ultra-Thin Ceiling Light, ETL and Energy Star Listed Can-Killer, 2700K Soft White, 100W Eqv, 5 Years Warranty, Pack of 6   You want the soft white. I know it looks yellow in the image but that is way off.

These are perfect to lower the room lighting to a warm and cozy vibe or crank it up when you need to work on a project.

If putting new lighting in your home isn’t an option. Here is a night lamp to accent a corner. Having an end table lamp/side lamp in as many corners as possible will still give the warm cozy feeling. See on amazon

Flames Add A Cozy Vibe

If you are blessed to have a fireplace then take advantage of it. Even if it is just an electric heater like this one or a pellet stove with a warm glow will give the illusion of a fireplace. The low warm flicker makes a home fill with a welcoming warmth.

Candles: If you do not have a fireplace, candles will do quite well in their place. Have them in the center of the room or on each end-table next to the couches or recliners. Smells like fall wreath or mountain lodge are perfect for adding a warm cozy feel.

Warm colors: Don’t go repainting your home:) But decorating in warm colors or neutrals for your walls are much more welcoming then colors like white or blue walls.

If you are into farmhouse vintage then Lizamarieblog has some great posts on finding paint colors.

Make A Room Cozy With Texture

I used to think texture was one of those things that the cool kids said. But let me tell you, texture makes a huge difference. You don’t need to go crazy. Just a small amount will do the job.

Pillows and Blankets: Add a few throw pillows or small lap blankets to the chairs and couches. It will add style and a “comfort item” for people to use without having to ask if they feel a little chilly. This knitted throw would make anyone want to cozy up with it.

If you don’t have throw pillows already Amazon has some great options for plan throw pillows linked here, then you can buy whatever colors you want. If you buy throw pillow at a home decor store you are looking at spending close to $40 each. You can get away with spending about $15 if you go this route.

Add Greenery To Make A Room Feel Cozy

Adding the visual of life in a room pulls people in and tells them that this is a healthy environment. Told you I’m a nerd about this stuff.

It doesn’t matter if you add live or fake plants to the room. Either way they are perfect for adding texture and life to a room.

Ready to try your hand at live plants. Here are some tools that will help you do that.

• Cedar Propagation Station – On Etsy
• Easy to grow house plant clippings – On Etsy

How To Make A Room Feel Cozy With Smell

You have to know how to make a bedroom cozy with smells very carefully. Smells can make or break a setting. It does not have to be overpowering. There is nothing worse than trying to rest with an overpowering scent that you can’t get away from. Whether it is a guest room or your own.

Just a simple hint of spiced apple or warm pumpkin will make anyone smile. Avoid smells that can cause people to feel ill like strong lemon or birthday cake type scents. Yep, they are out there.

• Baked goods: Nothing says welcome better than baked goods such as cookies or warm bread.
• Candles or wax melts: Pine (my personal favorite for the cold months) gives a more cozy feeling. But apple pie, mild cinnamon scents such as cinnamon rolls, pumpkin pie are all great options to give a warm feeling to your home. Something like this fall collection would be perfect. Wax melts are something you definitely want to buy the better brands if you can. Cheap ones for under $2 a pack only last a few hours where others you can get several days out of.

I love to have candles going even if no one is coming over. If you are concerned about the fire hazards of candles or if you are like me and have large doggie tails wagging around your home you have to make sure to keep them in a safe place.

This makes the wax warmers a great alternative, you will still need to make careful where you place them. But you will not have to worry about them getting knocked over and starting a fire. My saint bernards white fluffy tail has been stained by a red or green wax melt a time or two.

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Creating A Warm Home With Personality

I believe this is the most important thing in creating that special place where people want to be. Even when you have been overworked to get ready to have a house full of people. Simply keeping a smile on your face and a sweet tone in your voice will let them know you are glad to see them.

Ladies, we set the mood for our homes if we have a gracious and smiling heart it will be contagious and spread to those in our homes. Let’s create a wonderful spirit in our homes this season and keeping it throughout the rest of the year.

Vintage Antiques Vs Someone’s Old Junk

Using things like old books, wood antiques, or other vintage decor is a great way to bring warmth and a sense of home into an intimate space.

BUT, you have to be careful not to overdo it. Or your cozy living space will look like someone’s yard sale threw up in your room real quick. 

Mixing vintage items with new and clean decor pieces will help give your room a sense of quality. 

Less Is More

From the bunkhouse to the outhouse less is more.

Ok, ok, from the guest bedroom to the bathroom… It got you to smile though, didn’t it?

When you have too much stuff sitting around your brain has to process it all whether you realize it or not.  

You do not need to fill up an entire space. Whether that looks like a small corner in the kitchen or your end table. 

The Rule Of Three

In photography, there is the rule of thirds. 

Well, I have found that to be true in grouping items together as well as placing them.

Use two to three items together that are staggering in size and place them in a grouping together. 

This is a great way to finish off a cluster of table decor that just needs that “something”.

Personal Touches

This depends on your natural personality but finding a few personal items like a few photos or an item from someone’s special is a great way to add a welcoming touch to a room.

Strategically Placed Fun Items 

I LOVE this and it makes me giddy inside. 

Find ways to tuck things for people to do or use.

Thinks like:

• Lotion on the end table.
• Siduko books and a pen by the toilet.
• Magazines out on the coffee table.
• A basket marked READING.
• An interesting short read book out in the open.

Even if no one uses these items often. The fact that they are there creates a cozy oasis.

It’s seldom the massive amount of decorations all over the house or the huge pile of gifts, or piles of food on the table.

Even though those things are nice that’s not likely what makes people feel cozy.

Its the feel of the home.

The love and kind spirit that the people bring out in each other.