It's that time of year again folks. When we start switching our morning coffee from cold brew to pumpkin spice something latte. Let's bring out our chunky knit sweaters, and light our seasonal candles day and night.
I digress. With every changing season, there comes the perfect time to refresh our homes. When the weather starts to chill, and the leaves start to fall, all I want is a stylish sanctuary to keep me cozy.
Whether you are a new home owner, a college student living in a dorm, or just looking to refresh where you live now, you will find something in this article that will make your home cozier. I have listed all the different ways you can achieve that "sanctuary feel".
Here are my 10 interior design tips for a cozy space!
1. Lighting
Temperature: There are a variety of ways to switch up your lighting, but if you want to make it cozy, you should start with just the temperature of the bulb. 2700 K tends to be the best for creating an intimate space, flooded with golden light. World renown interior designer, Kelly Wearstler, even says that it's the best lighting temperature for making people look "amazing".
Vintage Aesthetic Bulbs: These bulbs come in a variety of shapes and sizes. This is to your advantage! You can pick multiple different shapes/sizes, and layer them. Ive been seeing these used a lot in spaces that create intimate settings, like restaurants and cafes (which is very cozy). They also always have a warmer temperature which is perfect to get that golden light for your space. They tend to have a rustic/vintage look which creates a sense of nostalgia.
Dimmable lighting is also a great technique to keep your interior cozy. Especially at night, when you want to snuggle up with a cup of hot chocolate and a book. Light some candles while you're at it.
Soft Lamp Shades: Using soft lamp shades is crucial for diffusing light. When done with a warm bulb, it imitates the light from a candle flame. This particular lamp shade is The Marnie Lamp Shade from Anthropologie its comes in M or L with 3 color selections for $68.00. This color is Taupe.
2. Switch out your linens
Switch out any linens (pillow casings, rugs, throw blankets, etc.) with ones that have earthy tones, plaid, or chunky knit patterns. Shag always works too! Variety in pattern and texture is key for creating a dynamic space.
This throw blanket is the Nottingham Faux Fur Plaid Throw, 50 x 60", Gray from Pottery Barn. It costs $149 and is sustainably sourced as well.
3. Seasonal Scents
Fall scented candles. We all have them, and we all love them. Creating ambiance by focusing on all of the senses is also key to creating a dynamic interior. Smell is one of the senses that is closely related to memory. If you don't want to have any open flames, purchase a hurricane to cover your candle. You could even use an oil diffuser.
My favorite candle at the moment is the Baltic Amber Candle from Voluspa for $46.00
The hurricane I selected below is the Frequency Medium Hurricane from Kelly Wearstler for $199
4. Add Organic Decor
Dried or faux flowers in vases are great for table tops and they are also interchangeable for different seasons! West Elm has some beautiful dried flower arrangements like the Dried Harvest Bouquet for $32.
5. Wood Accents
Anything that is organic brings a sense of coziness to a home. Especially this Eastham Solid Wood Coffee Table with Storage from Birch Lane for $365. This piece is especially inviting because of the rustic look and the curvilinear table legs.
6. Warm Paint Color
Painting your walls, furniture, or cabinetry is one of the best ways to refresh a space. You can turn it into something completely new! But if you want to focus on creating a cozy space, I suggest using the following colors from this Bob Vila article:
California Claret (Glidden, 12YR 07/279)
Alchemy (Sherwin-Williams, SW 6395)
Cappuccino Froth (Benjamin Moore, CSP-1055)
Warm Grey Flannel (Glidden, 50RR 32/029)
Whole Wheat (Sherwin-Williams, SW 6121)
Tanner's Brown, Farrow & Ball (No. 255)
Water Chi (Kelly-Moore, KM5016)
Silver Fox (Benjamin Moore, 2108-50)
Folk Tales (Kelly-Moore, KM5069)
7. Welcome Mat and Wreath
This Faux Pampas Taupe Wreath 36" from West Elm for $79.95 is a to die for seasonal decoration. What better way to let your guests know you take your decor seriously than placing this at the entrance of your home. Welcome mats are also an important detail to take into consideration. They present who you are at the door, so choose one that suits you and the character of your home.
8. Leather
Leather details are perfect for adding warmth and texture. What better way to add leather to your home than to invest in a leather couch or chair? They feel amazing, are easy to clean, and are timeless. The styles and colors to choose from are endless. Personally, I feel that a worn-in look creates a sense of nostalgia and familiarity.
9. Window treatments
Here is an example from one of my favorite interior designers, Kate Marker. "A custom gauzy white fabric diffuses light to a room that does not need a lot of privacy like this space at." Using drapery is a technique used to make a space feel cozy by adding more texture and diffusing harsh light. Window treatments also improve the acoustics of a space by absorbing sound.
10. Mix and match Materials
You can achieve this when switching out your linens. I personally enjoy mixing and matching pillow covers on my couch. When mixing and matching, make sure to keep a variety of patterns and textures so the it makes the eye travel. Good interiors are dynamic, so don't be afraid to switch it up with the patterns. Scale, texture, color, and pillow size are all important factors to keep into consideration when mixing and matching.
Those are my 10 tips for how to make your home cozy and fall ready. Now get out there and get to work. Your home isn't going to get cozy all on its own!