10 Quick Ways to Cozy Up Your Home for Winter
Make those long, cold evenings a lot more enjoyable with these easy ideas
I don’t know about you, but days that get shorter and shorter bring my mood down — it’s too dark to go for an early-evening walk and the hours until bedtime seem to stretch out before me. However, I’ve found some ways to enjoy this time by cozying up my house for the coming cold months. Here are some of the easy things I do to create a warm ambiance that I hope will help you cozy up your own nest.
Designate a Spot for Projects and Games
Give this area a pass on daily cleanup. Instead use it for long-term projects like organizing that box of photos, a 1,000-piece puzzle or a nightly game with the family.
Give this area a pass on daily cleanup. Instead use it for long-term projects like organizing that box of photos, a 1,000-piece puzzle or a nightly game with the family.
Stoke the Fire
I’ll admit it: Those of us who have fireplaces or wood stoves are lucky ducks. Getting a fire going is by far my favorite way to make my house snug and comfortable, and I appreciate it every time I do it. Keep your fire tools and supplies handy so it will be easy to start your blaze. While you’re at it, deck your mantel with some of your favorite things.
I’ll admit it: Those of us who have fireplaces or wood stoves are lucky ducks. Getting a fire going is by far my favorite way to make my house snug and comfortable, and I appreciate it every time I do it. Keep your fire tools and supplies handy so it will be easy to start your blaze. While you’re at it, deck your mantel with some of your favorite things.
Add Layers of Light
Create layers of light and options for reading, visiting and movie watching with an ample supply of table and floor lamps. Put those tea light candles to good use. Use dimmers to change up the ambiance on your overhead lights and ceiling fixtures, and three-way bulbs in your lamps that can take them. Around the holidays you can hang up a string of white lights in a room — I love falling asleep with one draped over the window in my bedroom.
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Create layers of light and options for reading, visiting and movie watching with an ample supply of table and floor lamps. Put those tea light candles to good use. Use dimmers to change up the ambiance on your overhead lights and ceiling fixtures, and three-way bulbs in your lamps that can take them. Around the holidays you can hang up a string of white lights in a room — I love falling asleep with one draped over the window in my bedroom.
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Move a Table Close to the Fireplace for an Intimate Dinner
If you don’t have a fireplace in your dining room, bring your dining room to the fire. My mother loves to pull a simple old folding card table up next to the fireplace in her den, cover it with a tablecloth and add candles for a toasty night in.
If you don’t have a fireplace in your dining room, bring your dining room to the fire. My mother loves to pull a simple old folding card table up next to the fireplace in her den, cover it with a tablecloth and add candles for a toasty night in.
Drape a Warm Blanket Over the Back of your Sofa
I like to do this not only because it’s part of my living room’s “winter outfit” and changes the look, but also for practical reasons: I prefer to keep my thermostat low and snuggle up.
Shop for throw blankets
I like to do this not only because it’s part of my living room’s “winter outfit” and changes the look, but also for practical reasons: I prefer to keep my thermostat low and snuggle up.
Shop for throw blankets
However, if the throw blanket-draped look isn’t for you, simply keep extra blankets handy in rooms where you like to lounge. Fill a basket or trunk with a supply of soft wool and fleece throws. Everyone in the room will want one, especially if you’re keeping that thermostat low to save energy.
Add Extra Textiles in the Bedroom
If you have bare floors, add a rug, even if it’s just a small runner next to the side of the bed for your bare feet. Add a canopy or drape fabric on your four-poster bed. Hang a quilt behind your headboard, or add an extra quilt at the foot of the bed.
If you have bare floors, add a rug, even if it’s just a small runner next to the side of the bed for your bare feet. Add a canopy or drape fabric on your four-poster bed. Hang a quilt behind your headboard, or add an extra quilt at the foot of the bed.
Add a Rug in the Bathroom as Well
While radiant-heat floors are on many of our dream bathroom wish lists, not a lot of us have them. Cover up that cold tile with a flat-weave rug; it will make getting up on cold, dark mornings a little more pleasant.
While radiant-heat floors are on many of our dream bathroom wish lists, not a lot of us have them. Cover up that cold tile with a flat-weave rug; it will make getting up on cold, dark mornings a little more pleasant.
Pull Your Drapes
You may have them swagged back and draped perfectly, but chances are your drapes are on operable rods that are there for good reason. They not only help keep the cold out, but also add a layer of texture to the walls, which adds coziness. A wave of nostalgia hit me when I saw this photo because my grandparents used to have drapes like this in a wide opening between their living room and foyer. It kept drafts out and closed the room in for a snug feeling.
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Give Your Outdoor Rooms a Cozy Winter Makeover
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You may have them swagged back and draped perfectly, but chances are your drapes are on operable rods that are there for good reason. They not only help keep the cold out, but also add a layer of texture to the walls, which adds coziness. A wave of nostalgia hit me when I saw this photo because my grandparents used to have drapes like this in a wide opening between their living room and foyer. It kept drafts out and closed the room in for a snug feeling.
More on Houzz
Give Your Outdoor Rooms a Cozy Winter Makeover
Find an interior designer
Shop for home decor
When it gets dark out so early, it’s easy to fall into a TV-binge-watching hole. Create an alternative way to spend your down time by feathering a comfortable space where you can curl up with a favorite book, glossy magazine or your tablet. Keep plenty of pillows, a quilt, a good light to read by, those materials you’ve been wanting to get to and a perch for a hot cup of something, all together in one place.