17 Cozy Spaces for Enjoying Family Time
Design pros create warm and inviting rooms where people can gather and keep winter’s chill at bay
Embracing cozy spots can make us feel good and comfortable as we hunker down for the winter. Check out how Houzz design pros helped their clients achieve a cozy vibe in these rooms around the house.
2. This kitchen was the result of the painstaking renovation and restoration of a historic Brooklyn brownstone. Think Construction repaired and refinished the existing woodwork and exposed the existing ceiling beams and brick walls. Other cozy elements include an antique brass island, a brick herringbone floor, a traditional kitchen table and layers of light.
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Hire a local general contractor
Cozy in a Dining Space
3. The great thing about cozy dining spaces is that they invite people to do more than dine. They might also linger and laugh long after dinner is over, play games or do some work. Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home tucked this dining area into a bay and used a mix of textures. Grasscloth wallcovering, woven wood blinds and upholstered armchairs make the space welcoming.
Tip: One trick for instant cozy appeal illustrated by this design is the use of plaid upholstery on the dining chairs. If a space needs one more touch to achieve coziness, plaid never fails.
3. The great thing about cozy dining spaces is that they invite people to do more than dine. They might also linger and laugh long after dinner is over, play games or do some work. Nathan Taylor for Obelisk Home tucked this dining area into a bay and used a mix of textures. Grasscloth wallcovering, woven wood blinds and upholstered armchairs make the space welcoming.
Tip: One trick for instant cozy appeal illustrated by this design is the use of plaid upholstery on the dining chairs. If a space needs one more touch to achieve coziness, plaid never fails.
4. This Maryland dining room designed by Sanabria & Co has all of the cozy fixings — a banquette that wraps the corner, lots of throw pillows, ceiling beams, layers of dimmable light, traditional Windsor chairs, a wood dining table, soft window treatments and an area rug. It’s easy to imagine a family wanting to use this room all day and into the night.
Shop for a dining table
Shop for a dining table
Cozy in the Living Room
5. In this transitional Washington, D.C., living room, a sectional sofa beckons people to sink in to its plush upholstery. A mix of woven blinds and drapes adds layers of texture around the windows.
Tip: Use an area rug to delineate a special gathering space.
5. In this transitional Washington, D.C., living room, a sectional sofa beckons people to sink in to its plush upholstery. A mix of woven blinds and drapes adds layers of texture around the windows.
Tip: Use an area rug to delineate a special gathering space.
Cozy in the Library
6. This San Francisco library is the perfect place for a fireside chat. The room promotes sharing — two cushy leather lounge chairs share an ottoman, two people can lounge in the velvet tête-à-tête, and the library table at the right end of the room has two chairs and a window seat.
Tip: Don’t write off dark and moody colors when going for cozy. The dark wall color in here allows the brass library lamps, the sconces with patterned fabric shades and the fireplace to give the room a cozy glow.
6. This San Francisco library is the perfect place for a fireside chat. The room promotes sharing — two cushy leather lounge chairs share an ottoman, two people can lounge in the velvet tête-à-tête, and the library table at the right end of the room has two chairs and a window seat.
Tip: Don’t write off dark and moody colors when going for cozy. The dark wall color in here allows the brass library lamps, the sconces with patterned fabric shades and the fireplace to give the room a cozy glow.
Cozy in the Family Room
7. A vaulted ceiling is tricky — sometimes all that space overhead can feel too vast. But in this home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the beams, rafters, large stone fireplace and lots of natural light give the room cozy bones. Upholstered furniture, wood tables and colorful artwork make it a bright and happy space to gather.
7. A vaulted ceiling is tricky — sometimes all that space overhead can feel too vast. But in this home in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, the beams, rafters, large stone fireplace and lots of natural light give the room cozy bones. Upholstered furniture, wood tables and colorful artwork make it a bright and happy space to gather.
8. Wood paneling on the vaulted ceiling in this Lake Tahoe house by Jim Morrison Construction adds warmth from above. Rustic style comes from the local artwork, a coffee table made from branches, a red sliding barn door and a barn wood accent wall. Games and comfy seating make it a great spot for a family to spend time together.
9. In this Wellesley, Massachusetts, family room by Catalano Architects, warm colors, wood beams, a paneled ceiling and cushy furniture welcome a group to get comfortable.
Tip: When going for a cozy vibe, furniture can never be too overstuffed.
Tip: When going for a cozy vibe, furniture can never be too overstuffed.
10. Two comfortable sofas face each other in front of a large fireplace in this Richmond, Virginia, family room by Sara Hillery Interior Design. They invite conversation or quiet group reading time.
Tip: Make sure to choose a few throw pillows for the sofa that will be comfortable to lay your head upon during nap time.
Tip: Make sure to choose a few throw pillows for the sofa that will be comfortable to lay your head upon during nap time.
11. There’s a lot that welcomes gathering in this Greenwich, Connecticut, family room, designed by Nukitchens. But it’s the wall of family photos that inspired this choice. The conversations and memories they can spark are invaluable.
Tip: Play around with a gallery wall composition by laying it out on the floor.
Tip: Play around with a gallery wall composition by laying it out on the floor.
Cozy in a Playroom
12. This San Francisco playroom by BLANKwalls Design has cozy spots for people of all ages to gather. Adults can sit comfortably on the sofa to keep the kids company. The color scheme mixes burgundy and gold with brighter colors that look like they came straight from a Crayola crayon box.
Browse sectional sofas in the Houzz Shop
12. This San Francisco playroom by BLANKwalls Design has cozy spots for people of all ages to gather. Adults can sit comfortably on the sofa to keep the kids company. The color scheme mixes burgundy and gold with brighter colors that look like they came straight from a Crayola crayon box.
Browse sectional sofas in the Houzz Shop
Cozy in a Sunroom
13. Sometimes getting cozy means just barely slipping by other pieces of furniture to get to a coveted spot. In this Portland, Oregon, sunroom by Daniel House, wallpaper in warm gold tones adds the illusion of 3D blocks.
13. Sometimes getting cozy means just barely slipping by other pieces of furniture to get to a coveted spot. In this Portland, Oregon, sunroom by Daniel House, wallpaper in warm gold tones adds the illusion of 3D blocks.
14. Floral prints, punchy bright colors, exposed brick and wicker rockers make this Minneapolis sun porch by David Heide Design Studio a welcoming spot for hot tea and conversation.
15. A warm beadboard ceiling, paneled walls, a cushy sectional, comfortable armchairs and a game table ready for Scrabble make this Portland, Maine, sunporch by Leandra Fremont-Smith Interiors the best spot for a group to enjoy one another’s company.
Cozy in the Basement
16. The low ceilings of a basement are often seen as a negative. But they are a design asset when seeking a cozy feeling. Stone, reclaimed wood and a fireplace make this Omaha, Nebraska, basement by Bearded Builders a snug spot for family movie nights. It’s easy to see why the artwork says “Let’s Stay Home.”
16. The low ceilings of a basement are often seen as a negative. But they are a design asset when seeking a cozy feeling. Stone, reclaimed wood and a fireplace make this Omaha, Nebraska, basement by Bearded Builders a snug spot for family movie nights. It’s easy to see why the artwork says “Let’s Stay Home.”
17. Plaid and leather upholstery, reclaimed wood accents, a coffered ceiling and wood doors invite a family to hunker down in this Minneapolis basement by Mark D. Williams Custom Homes.
Tell us: Where’s the coziest spot to gather in your home? Please share what you love about it in the Comments, and include a photo.
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Tell us: Where’s the coziest spot to gather in your home? Please share what you love about it in the Comments, and include a photo.
More on Houzz
Browse photos of homes with rustic style
Hire a local design pro
Shop for your home
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1. Farmhouse-inspired style invites family members to gather in this Boston-area kitchen by Cummings Architecture + Interiors. Substantial beams, a vintage-style light fixture, a copper pot collection and soapstone countertops give the space a homey, charmingly time-worn feeling.
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