Creating a Cozy Home

7 Tips for a Cozy and Welcoming Space

Whether you’ve moved into a new home, completed a major renovation, or simply want to update your space, you might be struggling to achieve a cozy and welcoming feel. Things like flooring, cabinetry, paint and furniture are the foundation of your décor, but it’s the details that truly make a house a home. Here are some of the tried-and-true ways that we add warmth and comfort to bring our clients’ spaces to life.

Use a soft touch

There are so many opportunities to add softness to your home décor, but they are often overlooked. Drapery and area rugs are one of our favourite ways to make a space feel cozy and warm. In addition to being functional, they help muffle the sound in your rooms and add layers of softness.

Of course, upholstered furniture is one of the easiest ways to incorporate soft fabrics in your space. Our designers recommend investing in the best quality you can afford, especially for pieces that are used often. Not only will they be more durable, but they’ll also feel and look beautiful for much longer.

And, as the finishing touch, we always add plush throw blankets and cushions to make seating areas cozy and inviting.

Bring nature inside

Natural elements foster a sense of calm. From flooring to furniture and even accessories, wood is a wonderful way to bring the outdoors in. You can mix complimentary wood tones but be sure to repeat each one at least three times throughout the space.

Plants are another excellent way to incorporate nature into your décor. Bonus: they can also improve the air quality in your home.

Display what makes you happy

Don’t be afraid to show off your favourite things throughout your home. Your family photos, collections, souvenirs, artwork and family heirlooms will put a smile on your face and give visitors a glimpse of your unique personality. Grouping like items together can give your displays more impact and reduce visual clutter.

Simplify your systems

Look around your home to see where things accumulate. Is there a logical, functional place for everything? Can you quickly reset your home at the end of a busy day? A professional organizer can help you develop systems if you’re stuck and overwhelmed. Simplifying storage and organization helps you feel more at peace in your space.

Carve out space for what you love

Is your home set up so that you can easily do the things you love? Make it easier to relax, unwind, and have fun by setting up space for your favourite leisure activities. This could look like:

• Creating a cozy wellness zone for workouts or yoga.
• Optimizing your kitchen for cooking and baking.
• Rearranging furniture for easier entertaining.
• Giving your bathroom a relaxing spa vibe using paint, lighting and accessories.
• Setting up a dedicated space to draw, paint, read or do puzzles.

Layer your lighting

Having at least five sources of light in a room lets you customize the lighting to the time of day, activity, and desired mood. Our designers will typically aim for a mix of the following types of lighting:

Choose a cohesive colour scheme

For an inviting ambience, the specific colours you choose are less important than making sure they form a scheme that flows seamlessly through your home. To easily put together a colour scheme that works, start by identifying the primary neutral undertone in your hard finishes (e.g., tile, counters and wall-to-wall carpet). Next, choose an inspiration piece, such as art, a cozy area rug, or patterned fabric, that has the same undertone. Finally, pick out 4-5 colours from your inspiration piece to use in various ways throughout your home.

Making your house a cozy home

These tips can help you create a cozy, inviting atmosphere in your home. Need a hand bringing it all together? A designer can guide you every step of the way to making your house into the warm and welcoming home of your dreams.