Do bright, open, minimalism-inspired spaces just not seem to excite you? Instead, perhaps you prefer warm, cosy and inviting rooms - roaring fires, earthy tones, soft lighting and an abundance of blankets and pillows. Transforming your home into a relaxing sanctuary can be as straightforward or as complex as you like. Whether you're limited by time and budget and can only implement minor adjustments, or you have the resources to make substantial changes to your living environment, here are some excellent renovation ideas to make your home feel more cosy and inviting.
Layer Soft Textures
Not only will the addition of soft textures make your home feel more cosy, but they will also keep you physically warmer. Rugs, for instance, are an excellent choice to infuse warmth and comfort into any space. Opt for soft, comfortable fabrics like organic cotton, wool, linen, velvet and linen. To enhance the cosy atmosphere in a living room or bedroom, include multiple throw pillows and blankets in various colours, patterns, and textures, allowing you to create depth and add interest to your environment.
Use Earthy Tones
Earthy tones, such as forest green, taupe, ochre and burnt umber, are intrinsically associated with nature, evoking feelings of comfort, security and tranquillity. By incorporating natural hues in your home environment, you can establish a stronger connection with the great outdoors, promoting a calming, cosy ambience. Moreover, the timeless and classic appeal of earthy tones ensures that they will never go out of style, making them a wise investment for your property, enriching it with a lasting sense of homeliness.
Open Fireplaces
If you’re lucky enough to own a property that features an open fireplace, it would be a shame for it to go unused. Opening up a fireplace is a messy and complex process; hence it is always advisable to hire a certified tradesperson to ensure safety and efficiency. However, this project can instantly transform your home into a warm, cosy sanctuary. Ensure you employ a specialist to sweep your chimney around twice a year to allow the free passage of dangerous combustion gases.
Soft Lighting
Adjusting your lighting is one of the easiest ways to make your home environment seem more cosy. Avoid the use of harsh overhead lighting; instead, illuminate your rooms with lamps and candles to create soft pools of overlapping light. The Danish concept of Hygge considers lighting to be one of the most crucial elements of maintaining a warm and inviting living space. Consider researching Hygge so you can learn how to select the right lighting fixtures and strategically place them for optimal cosy lighting.
Restore Your Home’s Period Features
If your home was built prior to the 1960s, it could be concealing some truly remarkable period features, such as hardwood floors and decorative tiles. Painted timber can make a home feel cold and lacking in personality, so it may be worth getting to work with some paint stripper and a scraper. Hardwood features like spiral staircases, ceiling beams and door frames have a lavish, timeless and inviting quality. Furthermore, restoring your home to its original beauty may even increase its resale value.
Add Some Greenery
If you don’t already have an abundance of houseplants, consider visiting your local garden centre for some vibrant and verdant additions to your home. Not only do houseplants bring nature indoors, creating an inviting and calming atmosphere, but studies suggest that they can even improve the air quality. Houseplants are also effective in boosting productivity, lowering stress levels and improving your quality of sleep. If you’re relatively new to caring for houseplants, opt for low-maintenance species, like English ivy, snake plants, succulents and monstera plants.
Personal Touches
Any home can benefit from a few personal touches. Homes devoid of personality and charm are seldom deemed cosy, so consider adding artwork, photographs, ornaments and other keepsakes. Wall covering and tapestries are an excellent way to enhance the texture and visual appeal of a room while making the space look and feel warmer. Similarly, artwork and frames made from organic materials such as wood and wicker can elevate the style and character of your home with natural charm. You could even embrace your creative side and make these elements yourself for an extra personal touch.