20 Ideas for Creating a Cozy Home During the Winter Months
I hope everyone’s New Year is off to a wonderful start! This time of year can often feel a little melancholy, post holiday. As we’re getting our house back in order, packing away the holiday decor for another year, getting organized, and settling into the season ahead, I wanted to share some things that make our home feel more inviting this time of year. From simple and free ideas to higher-end home investments with a nice return, here are my top designer ideas for creating a cozy home during the winter months. I can attest to the attitude boost and aesthetic they provide, especially living in a snowy climate where winter seems to drag along for months. Even as a designer, I have to force myself to get creative, exploring ideas to make our home feel warm (visually and physically) during the cold winter months.
From faux fur throw blankets to flannel bedding and fireplace mantel styling, I’ve already tackled some winter styling that is making our home feel cozy post holidays. Once the twinkly lights and tree come down, it’s easy to feel bummed or become over aware of negative space. I immediately like to replace those cozy holiday vignettes to boost the mood at home… with seasonally appropriate options, of course. We had a big snowstorm over the weekend, so I took time to hunker down and do some restyling (which prompted this post). Read on for my best tips!
1. Add Cozy Lighting & Lamps
Good lighting is key for any well curated home, but it’s essential during the winter months. Table lamps and floor lamps are at the top of my styling list this time of year. Check out these designer light fixtures that will never go out of style, if you’re in need of inspiration. Or perhaps you’re looking for some beautiful budget options? Here are 20 classic & affordable light fixtures from Amazon I curated. With short days and dark evenings, I keep multiple lamps in 0ur most used rooms, setting every corner aglow.
2. Style Blankets & Throws
From wool throws and heated & weighted blankets to luxe fur options, I embrace styling textiles on the beds, benches, sofas, and chairs throughout our home. No surface is safe and all are extra cozy for functional snuggling & added warmth. These are the best faux fur throw blankets for styling this winter, in my opinion. Blankets are the perfect way to add visual and physical warmth to your home this season… and don’t be afraid to use them. They’re not just decor!
3. Integrate a Fireplace
I’ve had all types of fireplaces during my homeownership journey, and I’ve advised interior clients on which best fits their home & budget. If you’ve been considering installing a fireplace- winter is the perfect time. While we have a convenient gas fireplace in our main living room, I shared how to source & style the most realistic electric fireplace, if you’re looking for an easy plug-in option that also serves as a significant heat source. Alternatively, check out this handy faux fireplace DIY, along with my mantel styling tips! Whether or not they provide warmth, it’s a cozy focal point that is fun to style year round.
4. Layer Heavy Bedding
I prefer to layer my bedding year round (here is my go-to formula for styling a bed), but every winter season I swap my bed linens for heavier options. Warm & cozy bedding for winter is a must. I’m partial to down duvets, flannel, faux fur, and soft lofty blankets that you can really sink into. I’ll pull the lighter options back out when spring rolls around.
5. Lean Into Luxe Winter Textures
Along the same lines as heavier seasonal bedding, I also lean into luxe winter textures & textiles… think sheepskin rugs and velvet throw pillows. These tactile accents add interest, visual warmth, and are seasonally appropriate for styling winter vignettes.
6. Install Seasonal Art
You don’t have to spend a weekend skiing in Jackson Hole to know that vintage ski prints & winter artwork is a beautiful and classic way to celebrate the season. In fact, the vintage ski artwork in my basement media room stays up year round, because I think it’s so striking (and I live in Utah). However, I do swap artwork in other rooms based on the season… it’s a fun and easy way to drastically update the look of a room with minimal effort.
7. Create a Cozy Reading Nook
If you can find even a small corner, I’m a firm believer a reading nook is well worth the effort. It’s the perfect place to get cozy this season with a book, journal, listen to a podcast, or meditate. You may also be interested in checking out my favorite good books to curl up with this winter? I keep a running (updated) list here: Book Club Reads.
8. Embrace Warm, Rich Paint Colors
Warm and rich paint colors happen to be having a style moment this year, but feel extra luxe during the winter months. Check out this post for my top timeless paint colors and favorite pairings. While they are seemingly trendy, the options in that post will withstand the test of time.
9. Add Area Rugs
Area rugs are not only great for acoustics, adding warmth under foot, and insulating a room, but aesthetically speaking- they instantly add character, texture, color, and pattern. I’m partial to natural fiber area rugs and vintage rugs (here are the best keywords to use when searching for large vintage rugs) when it comes to setting a foundation for each room. Another way to warm up an otherwise cold area, like a staircase? Install a stair runner!
10. Install a Towel Warmer
One of my favorite simple luxuries at home is our towel warmer. Unfortunately, I don’t use it nearly enough since it’s in our basement bathroom, but I can’t wait to install one in our primary bath. Check out this post on tips for making a cold bathroom feel cozy… the towel warmer was certainly a game changer! They make both wall mounted warmers (for a permanent solution), as well as basket style warmers that easily plug into the wall, for a moveable option.
11. Get Creative with Candles
Aside from your favorite candle used for fragrance, get creative with styling candles in other ways around your home this season. Group pillar candles in a bowl or on a tray in multiples, pack oversized candles into a non functioning fireplace, install a couple candleholder wall sconces, or style a glass hurricane with a taper candle. Check out this post for some really good Ralph Lauren inspired silver glass hurricanes for any budget. A flickering flame goes a long way during the winter months.
12. Add Life with Florals, Plants, or Branches
Once the paperwhites and pine have been removed post holidays, you’re left with a void that needs to be filled. I rely on florals, greenery, plants, or branches this time of year to breathe life into our home, adding texture & color. Not sure where to start? This is how I easily style branches, no matter the season. Faux options have the same appeal, if you’re looking for a maintenance-free solution you can style once and forget about. Here are my best tips for using faux florals & greenery!
13. Layer Window Treatments
I’m a firm believer the key to a well designed, cozy home starts with layering window treatments and really setting a foundation for each space. Luckily, the expense for window treatments is really what you make it… you can use readymade pleated curtains & drapery panels or opt for custom window treatments. Either way, dressing your windows helps with aesthetics and functionality, as they insulate and add physical & visual warmth. If you go the budget route, check out how to “train” readymade curtains for a custom look. I’m a fan of layering a roman or woven shade alongside drapery panels, in which this post may also be helpful- 40 designer approved roman shades to fit any budget.
14. Style a Cozy Coffee Bar
Exactly a year ago, we made a simple, yet significant kitchen shelving update that left our coffee bar feeling so much better! If you have the space to set up a coffee, tea, or cocoa station in your kitchen, it will be a highly used area during the cold winter months. Check out my coffee bar finds & essentials, here.
15. Get Organized
It’s no secret, organization is at top of mind this time of year. From closet organization to refrigerator (& kitchen) organization, purging and cleaning feels like a necessary reset and January rite of passage. When it’s cold and snowy outside, I’m looking to tackle productive indoor tasks. An organized home is an easy way to make things feel clean & cozy this time of year.
16. Set Your Lamps on Timers
One of my best tips or winter hacks is to invest in a handful of smart plugs (we use these) and set your lamps or plug-in sconces on a timer. We set ours to switch on just after sunset, so our home begins to glow at the perfect time every winter night. We rarely use our overhead lights thanks to our smart plugs, and our home feels extra warm, cozy, and inviting thanks to ambient lamplight.
17. Light your Kitchen Cabinets
Also installed on smart plugs and a convenient timer, I’d highly recommend you light your kitchen cabinets (or home bar). This is especially handy during the winter months, when you’re trying to avoid harsh overhead lighting but are lacking natural daylight. Check out this post for my easy smart home kitchen cabinet lighting ideas, which includes a soft toe kick glow, under cabinet lighting, and floating shelf lighting ideas. My guide for properly lighting a kitchen may also come in handy!
18. Make Seasonal Favorites in the Kitchen
Part of savoring and enjoying the season begins in your kitchen. Consider this your reminder to pull out your favorite cookbooks, seasonal recipes, and put that slow cooker to good use, indulging in winter comfort foods. This time of year, I’m always making soup… including my favorite vegan sweet potato chili, pictured below.
19. Swap Out Your Bath Towels
One of my favorite joys in life (at home) is swapping out spent bath towels for fresh & plush spa-like options- it’s especially a treat during the winter months… a task I always save for January. Here are the best classic white bath towels for any budget (thank me later). If my towels are still in good shape, I take this time to revive them- bringing them back to their original, fluffy, bright white form. Here is how to wash towels back to white with laundry stripping… my tried & true process!
20. Install Heated Tile
Last, but not least… another tip for the bathroom. If you’re looking for a winter project that will yield a nice return on investment while keeping you warm, consider installing heated flooring. This is especially great if you live in a cold, winter climate. It’s not as expensive as you might believe- here is my step-by-step tutorial for DIY heated floor tile. You may also want to consider other upgrades, like a steam shower or sauna- also good investments in snowy locations. We’re actually hoping to install a sauna later this year.
FAQ
Happy to! You can find our towel warmer (from the basement bathroom), here. It was really easy to install and works wonderfully. It’s also under $200.
This is the exact set we’re currently using… it’s brushed flannel and super soft (pictured below)! I’ve also heard amazing things about this heathered cashmere set.
Related
Looking for more winter related home posts? This can be a tricky time of year to strike inspiration. Check out some of my favorites below…
- 20 Ideas for Making a Basement Bedroom Feel Cozy on a Budget
- Cozy & Classic Blankets & Throws
- Where to Find Vintage Ski Prints & Winter Artwork
- Tips for Making a Cold Bathroom Feel Cozy
- Flannel Bedding for Winter
- How to Wash Towels Back to White with Laundry Stripping
- Vegan Sweet Potato Chili with Lime Crema
- 30 Designer Approved Cozy Finds from Amazon
- Ideas for Styling Crystal Table Lamps
- Faux Fireplace DIY & Styling Tutorial
I hope this post helped to spark some cozy ideas for the months ahead! I’ve definitely been in a reset state of mind over here and I’m looking forward to creating more warm, thoughtfully curated, and intentional moments here at home… especially after our recent snowstorm. Are you also settling back in post holiday season? I hope your year is off to a wonderful start! I’ve got lots of fun things to share with you in the year ahead. I’m very much looking forward to it. Thanks for being here, friends!
