Recently, I shared a post called 5 Easy Ways to Create a Cozy Home. As I thought about it, I decided to share more ways to create the coziest atmosphere in your space! Now let’s ramp up the snuggle factor and dive in.
Declutter and Organize
If this feels obvious to you, you are already working with a great foundation.
However, as simple as this tip sounds, you can have a beautiful home and feel overwhelmed if it’s messy! Messy may not even be the right word, perhaps you just have too much stuff or you love what you have, but it isn’t all organized.
If any of the above applies to you (you aren’t alone) be aware this is a marathon not a sprint.
You won’t get yourself and your home organized in a day or even weeks! So start by purging. Take out everything in a space and only put back what you love.
By the way, designers always start with a blank canvas when styling, you should too. Remove the clutter and assess the space and where things will go.
Organizing is a process, so be prepared to do it several times in a space before you get it right. I am sharing a few organizing solutions below if you want to see what I like.
Texture, Texture, Texture
When folks say add texture, what are they really saying?
Do we consider popcorn ceilings texture? Well, yes that’s texture.
Truthfully, texture comes in all sorts of forms and it is what we can touch (I know, mind-blowing).
When we talk about adding texture here, there, and everywhere, we need a variety of tactile things.
Your choices in upholstery, accessories, rugs, vintage pieces, window treatments, flooring, plaster, stone, etc. are all going to help or hinder the space.
The key to cozy doesn’t mean more stuff, it just means choosing the right stuff to create a textural experience.
Something as simple as plaster on a fireplace, that alone is texture. Having a chenille sofa with a comfy throw and reeded side table bring texture, texture and more texture.
Enjoy the rooms below for a masterclass in texture.
Hang Art and Photos
Never neglect the power of art and photos. A once dull space can come to life when you add personalized touches.
Nothing in interior design is really as personal as art and photography. Those are going to be uniquely suited to you and usually have meaning.
Don’t be afraid of gallery walls or trying something new.
The beauty of interior design is it takes time and evolves. Buy frames to put your favorite family photos in and don’t be afraid to showcase what you love.
Some might say family photos don’t belong in the “main” part of your home, but I don’t subscribe to that notion.
After all, our home (be it an apartment or a mansion) is a reflection of us and what we love.
Be unapologetic with your taste and if you love it, put it up! You can always swap it out later if you get tired of something.
Wall and Ceiling Treatments
Texture as I mentioned comes in a variety of forms.
Want to make your home feel elevated and inviting?
Wall and ceiling treatments are the way to go.
Honestly, when I see a space that has board and batten, wainscoting, picture molding, etc. it looks more custom. If you consider the ceiling to be another wall (you should) then you have a number of ways to add charm and character to your space.
Now, my one big piece of advice is do not leave your new wall treatment a standard white or forget to match it to the walls. When you have white picture molding on a non-white wall, I would argue it is a distraction.
At one point, builders were doing this intentionally (no idea why) and it looks unfinished if you ask me.
Wall molding and treatments are usually pretty DIY friendly. Depending on the size of your room, I would venture to say this is a weekend project.
Just consider your personal style and the room you are looking to update. Ceilings are also great places to make a big statement and can feature more than beams or tongue and groove.
Wallpaper is definitely a very big deal again, (it never really went away if you ask me) but wallpaper on the ceiling is certainly becoming more common than ever. I have to admit, I personally love wallpaper on a ceiling.
Accessorize with Pieces You Love
The whole point of design is to help you find what you truly love and what reflects you. Design can be powerful and impact our mood, attitude and behavior.
With so many trends and a very consumer driven society, don’t assume that more is better. Be very selective in what you bring into your home.
If you don’t love something (even if it was a gift) do not keep it!
I think I have to repeat that, if you don’t love it, do not keep it!
Accessories are a reflection of you. Regardless of what you may see on instagram, running out to buy the newest product from a store’s winter collection or grabbing what every single influencer has in their feed, doesn’t actually give your home any personality.
Life is too short to be a copy, you are uniquely you and your home should reflect that!
Perhaps an unpopular opinion, but ONLY buy what you absolutely love and use those items in your decor. Truth be told, I myself have tried a few trends against my better judgement. I knew I didn’t love a trendy item, but bought it anyway thinking, “I just need to see it in my home,” wrong.
One trendy accessory in particular, I never liked and about three months ago, I finally gave myself permission to give it away.
Of course, if you really like a piece you see online from a popular home store or an influencer’s feed, buy it! I am not suggesting you can’t have anything mass produced.
My suggestion is take the time to be thoughtful and curate your home. Curating is a process that is selective. I have several places in my home that are a work in progress because I would rather be selective in my choices and not just buy to fill a room.
Alright, 5 more ways to cozy up your space and make it inviting.
If you didn’t read my first 5 tips on creating a cozy home, head to that post so you can learn all 10 tips.
Let me know in the comments if you have another suggestion to make a place warm and inviting.
Want to be featured on Kinsale Home? Let’s connect!
From the time I was a young child, I have loved interior design and beautiful things. Ten-year-old me would create “floor plans” on notebook paper and design the dream homes of my siblings. We would have an initial meeting and after jotting down their wish list, I got to work creating the home of their dreams.
After designing the layout, I would take the Sunday newspaper ads (are those still a thing?) and cut out pictures of furniture, lamps, and accessories to create mood boards for each room in the home. When I was all done, weeks and weeks later, I would showcase my work and pitch my design ideas to a sibling.
If you too enjoy beautiful things and the process of turning a vision into a reality, welcome! If you love watching homes transform, but just don’t know how to start or have the resources to buy everything you like, stick around. I love finding affordable and practical design solutions to give YOU a gorgeous home you can be proud of.
Together, let’s reveal what’s possible.
Kinsale Home is a place to get inspiration and tips for your next project. No matter the size of your budget, design needs to be personal and practical. Join along for beautiful, family-friendly weekly inspiration and design advice.
