The Little Things That Make Our House Feel Cozier

I don’t have a perfectly decorated home.

Our house has toys.

Laundry.

Random cups that somehow migrate from the kitchen to every other room.

There are probably crumbs somewhere right now.

But I do love making our home feel cozy.

Not expensive.

Not perfectly styled.

Just comfortable.

The kind of place where you want to curl up at the end of a long day.

Here are a few of the little things that make our house feel more like home.

Soft Blankets Everywhere

I am a firm believer that every couch should have at least one cozy blanket within reach.

Cozy throw blanket – This blanket lives on the bed in our master bedroom. It’s an extra layer to keep us from fighting over the covers, ha!

Electric heated blanket – I have literally purchased four of these to keep all over the house so I don’t have to be without it. My daughter loves it too. They come in a variety of prints too!

It makes movie nights better.

It makes reading more comfortable.

And it can hide a surprising amount of questionable couch-related evidence.

Warm Lighting

Overhead lighting can make a room feel a little harsh.

I love using lamps and softer lighting whenever possible.

Candlesticks – These pair beautifully with the battery operated taper candles below. They run on AA batteries and I just leave them on and flickering on the mantle. I’ve had them for 6 months and only changed the batteries once.

Battery operated taper candles – I went with the ivory color and i think they’re just so classic and such a simple way to elevate a room. They give off a warm flickering glow that’s just so chill and calming.

Even just changing the lighting in a room can make it feel completely different.

Baskets That Hide the Chaos

I love open shelving.

I also love being able to quickly throw things into a basket when the house needs a five-minute reset.

Seagrass woven basket – I try to work in some natural design elements into the space to provide some texture and variety. This basket has sturdy handles and is a good size for some toys or a couple of blankets.

The goal is not to hide everything forever.

Sometimes it’s just about having a place to put things while you deal with the bigger mess.

A Candle or Something That Smells Good

A good-smelling house instantly feels cozier to me.

Sometimes that’s a candle.

Sometimes it’s a wax warmer.

Sometimes it’s simply opening a window and letting in some fresh air.

Candle lamp – I discovered these candle lamps last year and I’ve bought one for literally everyone in my life. They’re flameless, which is great for kids AND pets, and they’re another source of warm cozy light.

Chesapeake Bay candle – This is one of my favorite scents and the glass it comes in is also just pretty to look at. It’s not overpowering and doesn’t irritate my allergies.

I don’t think your house needs to smell like a luxury hotel.

It just needs to smell like something you enjoy.

A Cozy Spot to Sit

I think every home needs at least one spot where you can sit down and breathe for a minute.

Maybe it’s a chair.

Maybe it’s the corner of the couch.

Maybe it’s your bed with a book and a cup of coffee.

Oversized chair – Ok, I know, this seems like a bit of a splurge. Good news is that you’re worth it! It’s so comfy and you can basically just set up shop and move in for a few hours with your cozy blanket, surrounded by your soft warm lighting.

It doesn’t have to be fancy.

It just needs to feel like yours.

A Little Bit of Greenery

I love adding plants to a room.

Real plants are wonderful.

Fake plants are also wonderful if you have a history of accidentally killing real plants.

No judgment here.

Faux eucalyptus plant – Ok, picture this. This plant is cascading off the side of a dark wood mantle next to the tapers and candlesticks from above. Nice, right? Simple. Low Maintenance. Not another thing you need to care for.

Even a little greenery can make a room feel more alive.

The Most Important Part

The thing that makes a house feel cozy isn’t really the blankets or the lamps or the baskets.

It’s the people in it.

It’s the laughter.

The conversations.

The movie nights.

The snacks.

The messes.

The memories.

A home doesn’t need to look perfect to feel warm.

Sometimes the coziest homes are the ones that clearly show that people live there.

So if your house isn’t perfectly decorated right now, don’t worry.

Add a blanket.

Turn on a lamp.

Make a cup of coffee.

Light a candle.

And then enjoy the home you already have.

That’s what I’m trying to do, anyway.