As I sit here, working from home on a snow day, I have been thinking of what makes a home cozy. Here are five ways I believe you can make your house a little more warm and cozy this winter.
1. Don't leave your windows or floors bare.
Woven wood shades offer warmth, texture and filter light beautifully. They come in a variety of colors and textures, and you can also line them for added privacy.
photo: Hartmann & Forbes
photo by Amy Hopkins
Drapes are another way to cozy up your windows. They can be extra cozy if you make them full enough you can close them. Lining and flannel interlining also create an extra layer of insulation for your windows. Now that is cozy!
photo via Pinterest
photo via Jaipur Living Pinterest
Rugs add color, warmth, texture and a soft place for your feet to land on these cold winter mornings.
2. Comfy throws, blankets and pillows are a must!
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Whether you stack them in a basket, or throw them over the furniture, keep soft, cuddly throws and blankets within arms reach. You can grab a good book and a warm throw and you have instant coziness!
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Photo by Ember + Ivory on Unsplash
3. Fresh flowers and plants
They add color, fresh air and warmth to your home. Plus, they are a reminder of what we have to look forward to in the spring!
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Photo by Alisa Anton on Unsplash
4. Create spaces for taking care of yourself.
Turn off the television, computer and phone and remember how life used to be before we had so many distractions.
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Whether it is carving out a reading nook you can escape to....
Or a place where you can sit back and listen to music. I have all of my Mom's old albums. There is a special warmth to music on vinyl that you just don't get from digital music. My cable provider offers several music channels. The spa and classical channels are my personal favorites.
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Making a space where you can exercise is essential too. It doesn't have to be a home gym with expensive equipment. For me it's having a space where I can roll out my yoga mat. This winter I've been using a small, portable heater to make the space even more comfortable while I practice. For my husband it's having space to set his bike up on a trainer so that he can ride indoors on these cold, short days.
5. Pets make everything warm and cozy!
Quite possibly the best way to create a warm and cozy house is to have a pet. I mean, how can it not be? They, themselves are warm and cozy! Plus, we can follow their lead. Anyone with a dog or cat knows they will follow the sun from room to room throughout the day. They take advantage of the different sunny spots of a home. Pay attention to those spaces in your home that offer the best morning, midday or evening sun. They can guide you to the perfect spot for your comfy chair for reading, or to roll out your yoga mat.
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Photo by Robert Larsson on Unsplash
So there you have it, just a few of the ways you can make your house warm and cozy this winter.
