by Tracey Jones – Remarkable Interiors –
“co·zy:” “giving a feeling of comfort, warmth, and relaxation.”
It’s a New Year. New goals and fresh starts. But it’s still winter. Despite any intentions to leave the house, many of our days will inevitably be spent indoors. With that in mind, it’s imperative to have plenty of spots to curl up with a cup of tea or hot chocolate and a good book (or let’s face it, some good Netflix) With all of this inside time, it’s more important than ever to create cozy spaces in our homes. Here are some simple low-cost ways to connect with the art of cozy.
The easiest way to make every space in your home better for lounging? Add some pillows and throws. Heavier textiles not only add warmth but snug you in. Weighted blankets and wintery fabrics such as flannel fleece faux fur and textured wools and knits are a must-have, so keep them close by! Having a basket that will hold enough for the whole family instantly says cozy and brings people together.
On this note, after the holiday hustle and bright colours it’s nice to create a calmer and more neutral space come January. Winter whites, creams and soft neutrals added in layers with texture help to declutter and calm a space.
Lighting is key in any home design but in winter it’s even more important. Installing dimmers in all main gathering areas is an instant mood creator. Table and floor lamps on timers set for dark afternoons warm up a space and beckon you into a room. Candles and firelight are what I call comfort light. Who doesn’t feel better sitting by a cozy fire or a group of flickering candles (so many battery options now make it safe!) Diffusers offer natural aromatherapy and help humidify the space. Try one with soothing lavender, spicy cinnamon or sweet vanilla to keep the space feeling cozy and warm.
Rearranging your furniture layout is a great trick to add in a warmth and coziness to winter gathering. While you may need better walkways to the outside for summertime, winter is a great time to group your seating in tighter (away from the walls), and focus them on conversation and soft focal points (a fireplace or TV/ movie-time).
Add in warmth underfoot. This may mean a soft area rug in your reading nook or a runner in a drafty hallway. While summertime is a barefoot world, keeping cozy slippers at the front door in winter ensures you will have comfy warm feet as soon as you come in from outside.
Just because everything outside is brown (or wet here on the coast) doesn’t mean your house has to look drab inside, too. Bringing home a few easy-to-care-for plants, like succulents, can instantly add vibrancy to your space. Plants (live and faux) are a décor staple once again.
Danish people have it right with their practice of “Hygge” (pronounced hoo-gah) that is becoming a way of living all over the world. This is definied as “a quality of coziness and comfort that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (a defining characteristic of Danish culture).” Getting through these grey months doesn’t have to be so hard (and feel so long!) Why not follow the Danish example and bring more hygge or cozy into your daily life this winter?
For more information, visit www.remarkableinteriors.ca.
