Imagine stepping through your front door to a cosy, inviting home. Snuggle down in your favourite chair with a great book and a cup of tea; there is nowhere in the world you would rather be.
Everyone’s home should be a welcoming retreat. If you are selling or letting a property, anyone looking round a cosy house will instantly be able to picture themselves settling in. If you are not interested in the property market at the moment, you deserve that cosy home for yourself!
It can be tricky thinking of ways to change a space, so we have drawn upon our years of property experience and put together our 10 top tips for how to make your home cosy…
This may seem like an obvious point, but warm colours will instantly add cosiness to a home. Remember that ‘warm’ does not necessarily mean ‘dark’ and simply choosing magnolia over bright white or grey will make a room feel warmer and more inviting. Opt for neutral colours and especially avoid cooler shades such as blue, green and purple.
Soft textures are inviting and instantly relaxing. They break up harsh lines and welcome you to the environment. Throws, plump cushions and blankets make furniture instantly appealing while rugs literally insulate while visually breaking up large spaces to make a room feel cosier.
Taking the idea of textiles further, consider mixing and matching textures to layer décor and soften a room. For example, multiple rugs on the floor, cushions of different sizes and materials, even a mismatched collection of wooden photo frames will add texture, depth and cosiness to your home.
Cosy homes are likely to have curtains rather than blinds. Curtains, more so than blinds, soften the harsh lines of windows and offer more dimension to a wall. They block out the draughts, insulate against the cold outdoors and the folds created when they drape add further texture to a room, making the space feel snug.
When considering how to make a home cosy, remember that lighting has a huge impact on how we feel in a room. Harsh, white lighting has a cooling effect while warmer hues boost the cosiness. There are so many options when it comes to lighting, so why not try out a few ideas?
Fire draws upon primal instincts, connoting safety and warmth. A blazing log burner, false fire or even a few candles will instantly make you relax and feel comfortable.
Again, drawing upon our human nature: natural elements will soften a room and make for a cosy home. Think about ways you can bring the outdoors in:
We are hard-wired to relax in nature, so incorporating natural elements has a calming effect in any space.
The key to cosiness is creating somewhere that people want to sit, relax and unwind. Comfortable furniture is essential to this so choose comfy chairs, sofas and even pouffes that are hard to resist. There is another opportunity here to incorporate textures and layers, boosting the cosiness yet further.
Whether you are an avid reader or not, there is something irresistible about a reading nook. If you can create a comfortable space with a bookshelf, soft lighting, comfortable chair, and somewhere to put your cup of tea, you are ticking off a lot of ‘cosy goals’! If a sale is on your mind, potential buyers will love the idea of curling up with a good read on a winter’s evening, making your house all the more appealing.
Finally, when creating any ambience, it’s important to think about all the senses. Scents can be extremely influential in the overall experience of a room and cosy homes will not only look inviting, but smell divine, too. Scented candles and diffusers are perfect, especially ones offering natural, warming aromas such as cinnamon, cardamom, vanilla and nutmeg.
So, which of these ideas will you be trying out first? We hope our top tips for how to make your home cosy have given you lots of inspiration for your own property this season. If you are thinking of selling or letting, cosy homes are always a huge draw for potential buyers/renters. Implementing a few of these ideas could well be the key to finding the perfect people for your property.
If you are approaching the property market, remember that Charters Estate Agents are here to help. Please get in touch and we will be happy to answer any questions.
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