We're heading into the darkest—and the coziest time of year! Whether or not you have snow (if you get it), the shorter days and colder nights are probably awakening an instinct in your mammalian brain telling you to hunker down and hibernate. When the urge to hibernate hits, give into it.
Hibernating may seem counterproductive if you want to get anything done—don't get it twisted, you shouldn't stay inside for months at a time—but it's actually one of the best things you can do for your mental health in winter. Winter's short days and long nights throw your circadian rhythm out of wack, which is why you feel ready for bed at 4 PM. Winter also gives your emotions a beating, sending many into bouts of seasonal depression.
So, when the days are getting longer and the snow piles up higher and higher, one of the best things you can do is make your home feel like a retreat. Don't believe us? Just ask the Danes; they know a thing or two about long winter and have perfected the art of living through it.
Making your space more cozy doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, it might not even cost you anything. Here are a few simple ways to take your home from cabin fever to cozy chalet.
Cozy Lighting
The most important thing to consider when making a space cozy is lighting. It all comes down to basic color theory. Warm-toned lighting that leans amber makes a space feel more intimate and inviting, while cool-toned lighting that leans blue feels clinical and industrial.
This is why your home, with its warm-toned bulbs, feels safe, while Costco, with its harsh overhead fluorescents, doesn't (also because everyone is jostling for a slice of that jumbo pumpkin pie). The last thing you want is for your home to feel as cold and unwelcoming as a Costco or, even worse, a dentist's office! Swapping out cool bulbs for warm ones will make an immediate difference.
Another tip for lighting is to layer your light sources. If you don't need blinding, overhead lights, then don't turn them on! Table lamps, string lights, and accent lamps can all get the job done just as well and twice as cozy.
Layered lighting will make your home more inviting, not only after you come in after shoveling, but for any guests you welcome. String lights and funky lamps are good, but candles are best. If you're a klutz, you can get battery-powered ones.
Lighting isn't the only thing you can layer. Layering textures can brighten up your space in an instant. Though this may seem intimidating if you don't have a flair for design, we promise it's easier than you think.
Cozy Textures
Start with a neutral base. This could be your flooring, furnishings, or walls. Layering textures and patterns is all about creating contrast with those neutrals, making your space feel more lived in and inviting.
For example, you could offset austere wood floors with a light and fluffy throw rug, perfect for sinking cold feet into. Or, you could offset a neutral sofa with a collection of cozy throws. The blankets will be there for you when you need to cuddle up, and can provide a year-round pop of color.
You can even layer multiple textures and patterns. A variety of pillows in different sizes, shapes, patterns, and textures will help make your couch look more interesting. You can also overlap rugs, creating a multi-sensory experience whenever you walk over them.
Ultimately, layering is about evoking visual depth in a space. Mixing hard and soft, or glossy and matte, or organic and artificial, will bring out the best in both elements. You'll be amazed by how much difference playing with lighting and textiles can make.
Part of the reason why we don't feel at home in Costco, apart from the lighting, is that it doesn't feel lived in. Of course, it isn't supposed to be! Homes, on the other hand, are meant to be sanctuaries from the outside world.
The easiest way to make your home more cozy is to make it a space that you want to spend time in.
