I have to admit something to you. I am struggling over here. When I moved into this home, I wanted nothing more than an airy, cool space full of light. That truly was my main focus. In my previous home, I had red walls in my living/kitchen area…and I had dark espresso cabinets. Everything was warm and kind of dark. I loved it at the time, but after a little while, I yearned for something lighter. When we moved into this home, I wanted the opposite…and I got it. Grant it, I decided not to buy a new couch and love seat, so I still had the dark leather from before, but other than that, I went all out in a “cool” feel. Now, I miss that cozy feel that those warm colors brought. I know, I know…I am never satisfied. I feel like I am always trying to find my “true” style. I think we all are, to some degree. I don’t miss my red walls, and I still LOVE my gray…but I miss the FEEL of my other home. Do you get me?
Have you ever given much thought to the “feel” of a home? I seriously do all of the time. I have walked into people’s home and immediately felt at home, like I could just kick off my shoes, kick back and shoot the bull…but I have also walked into people’s homes that felt cold and stagnant. It had NO homey feel. The styles and colors we choose for our homes create a certain feel, and if we aren’t careful, we create the exact opposite of what we intended to, simply because we don’t put enough thought into the colors, items and essentials we bring into our homes.
Today, I simply wanted to go over some essential elements for a cozy home, even if, like me- you have a “cool” home.
1.) Fireplace
While I said these were “essentials”, I guess it goes without saying that it isn’t necessarily essential to have a fireplace, but it sure does help make a room feel cozy! There is nothing more warm and inviting than the crackle of a fire. I hope I never have to live in another home that doesn’t have one. It is by far my favorite feature. I just feel so at home with a fireplace.
2.) Throw Pillows and Blankets
Nothing says cozy like some warm blankets and pillows. I want to take a nap on this couch, like right now. Comfort=cozy, to me. Do you agree?
3.) Natural Wood Elements
This room has a very cozy feel to it, yet most of the color scheme is very neutral and light. By pulling in the natural wood from the mirror and the coffee table, it made the whole space feel more homey. I want that mirror.
4.) Gallery Walls
I personally LOVE gallery walls. I have a couple in my home, and I am in the process of a couple more. I am a big time picture-taker, and I love to be able to display them in as many ways as I can. I also love how you can display any and everything on a gallery wall and it just all kind of “fits.” I think anytime you are surrounded by the things you love, that is what ultimately creates the feeling of “home”.
This wall by The Hankful House makes me happy. It is so inviting and homey. I love how it showcases their love for family.
5.) Exposed Brick
This one may not be one you have ever given much thought to in terms of a cozy home…but to me, exposed brick has a very warm and inviting feel. Maybe I am crazy. I wouldn’t doubt that. I do know that in my next home {my forever home}, I want to incorporate exposed brick somehow. I absolutely love it, and it has so much charm and character. Maybe that is why I feel it is such a key element in a cozy home?
This dining room by Vintage Finds has the most beautiful brick wall. I am in love.
6.) Using Warmer Colors {Paint or Accent pieces}
If you are like me and have cool paint colors, you don’t have to sacrifice all warmth. Adding in touches of warm colors in the form of accents can truly warm up a space pretty much instantly. I also do not personally think that warm and cool colors have to be in perfect balance. I think you can have as much or as little of each, as long as it fits your specific taste and gives you the feel you want in your home. I do think having at least some of both gives some balance, which I think is important.
Emily Henderson has a great article about choosing the perfect color pallete.
And as a reminder of which colors are considered warm and cool:
7.) Lamps
Lamps are a great way to add a coziness to a room. Turning off harsh overhead lights and turning on a lamp, whether it be floor or table, can add an instant warm feel to any room.
Here are some recent lamps that I have found recently online!
8.) Rugs
Hardwood and tile floors are gorgeous, no doubt about it! BUT…they can also have a very cold feel. Adding rugs to your home will instantly add a coziness to your home and can be changed out easily as styles and seasons changed. Sure, sometimes rugs can be costly, but I have gathered up my favorite places to buy rugs (online and in store) at a super reasonable price!
I wrote a post highlighting 10 gorgeous gray rugs for under $200, so I am referencing that for an easy go- to, but I will also list other stores that I love.
My Favorite Places to find Budget Friendly Rugs:
Bargain surplus stores
Now that I have written this post, I feel the need to go curl up on my couch with my warm blankets and get cozy 馃檪
Do you have any other ideas that you feel like really give a home that cozy feel? This list is certainly not all-inclusive!
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Last Updated on January 4, 2017
Your home is beautiful but I agree it seems a bit cool. I can suggest SureFit covers for your sofa and love seat. They come in stretchy fabrics that are soft and warm, and there are some lighter colors like camel. I love mine and they wash really well. They don’t look like sofa covers either…just wash and pop back on. I have a 15 year old sofa and my new cover makes it look like a new one.
I might suggest also that you repaint your living room in a warm color…toasted wheat, or something similar. I use Behr.
Your home is gorgeous and light…but I will agree, it needs a touch of warm. I love everything you’ve done however so please don’t think I’m condemning you!
Thanks for sharing your home with us!
Thank you, Donna! I do not feel the slightest bit offended. My home definitely does feel cool. I went the extreme other direction and am now working towards warming it up more 馃檪 Thank you for all of your input and advice! Merry Christmas!
Hi Brooke – before I start I just wanted to say your home is so so beautiful and have great taste 馃檪
I lean more to warm colours though and I love red although I don’t have red on the walls like you said you did, I have it in the ‘finishing touches’. Although I also love white, grey and black, but when using these colours I add a ‘pop’ of colour i.e. in my lounge the pop of colour is red 馃檪 in my bedroom that I have just finished re-doing is white, grey, a bit of black and the ‘pop’ of colour is yellow/’limish’ yellow and I just think that it is the ‘pop’ of the ‘warm’ colours that help bring the ‘warmth’ and ‘cosiness’.
I also prefer fabric sofas, rather than leather – although after saying that I was like you and had leather sofas but in cream 馃檪 and am in love with cushions placed on sofas and beds – I also, like you, love fireplaces – although the fireplaces that you get in Spanish homes (our main home) are mainly in the corner of a room – weird I know – and … more difficult to deal with 馃檨
Another item I would add specifically if you have ‘hard’ floors i.e. wood or like me in Spain – marble tiles everywhere – is a nice large rug 馃檪 And…. another item/s I would say for the ‘warmth’ and ‘cosiness’ and ‘ambience’ look of a room would be lighting but not using harsh lights – I love and prefer lamps rather than having ceiling lights on. In fact it is very rare I use my ceiling lights and also I love the light from candles – no matter where they are in the house.
One more thing – lol – that I love is nice curtains at the window – I like a window to be ‘dressed’ which I also think adds the ‘cosiness’ and ‘warmth’ in a room.
I also like changing colours and moving furniture and the ‘finishing touches’ around – I don’t think it is because we are never satisfied, I just think it is nice to have different looks – look on it as that we just like ‘change’ and it gives us something to do that makes us happy and there is nothing wrong with that 馃檪
Well, that was a fairly long list for me wasn’t it? Sorry…… hope I haven’t bored you to death – but it’s not often I can only write a few words! lol – hope you don’t mind 馃檪
I agree 100% with everything you said! In fact, I already had another draft written up to add to this one when I get back from vacation! Ha! I definitely wanted to add the lighting and rug…those are definite. Thank you for always giving me your insight and encouragement! Have a Merry Christmas!
I’m totally on a budget , and I only get one interior color for the whole house. I’m going towards grays too. Can u recommend a nice crisp gray that will be easy to go off. Later my hubby will paint the other emails rooms the colors I want. But for now I need to pick a light airy gray. Please helpe.
Rachel