Cozy Homes: 9 Ways to Add Winter Warmth to Your Home
In this post: Do you love cozy homes? Here are 9 fabulous winter decor ideas that will add winter warmth to your home decor after Christmas.⇒
I’m not really the biggest fan of winter.
Ok, that’s an understatement. I hate being cold. I dread the inconvenience of snow. I’m always worried the power is going to go out.
I never plan winter vacations unless they involve a flight to the beach. The idea of piling layers of clothing on just to go skiing or sledding is only made worse by the need to then launder them after. Multiply those layers by the various members of your family and you may as well open a cleaning service.
No, winter is not my season.
BUT…
the one thing it offers, that I truly love, is the opportunity to be snug and cozy inside. I love lazing about in plush robe, cuddling on the couch under a soft blanket, sipping tea or hot chocolate and maybe savoring a sweet, and getting lost in a movie or a delightful book.
Who doesn’t love sitting by a crackling fire in the hearth? Who isn’t comforted by the notion of cozy homes?
As a shelter from the elements and the ugly weather outside, I enjoy creating a winter home with these pleasures in mind. Here are 9 ways to add a sense of winter warmth to your rooms and create an intimate haven like the coziest of homes.
1. Candles and Lanterns
I absolutely love the flicker of candles and the mesmerizing glow that they generate. Whether it be a lone pillar with an intoxicating aroma or a cluster of votives placed artfully about, their flames dance independently of one another, yet the rosy warmth they offer is enhanced by their grouping.
In winter, woodsy lanterns suggest a nod toward nature, but if you are tickled by the twinkle that the light provides, then nothing beats the glisten of polished brass.
2. Birch Branches
Nothing says winter quite like bare branches, particularly when they are dusted with snow, but I much prefer them indoors in a vase or urn, where they can be appreciated from my perch on an overstuffed sofa. I use faux birch branches for exactly this purpose and I tend to favor their pale white tone over a darker variety.
3. Tea Service
I’m not sure what it is about teapots and teacups that utterly charm me, but winter is the perfect season to enjoy my collections. A silver tea service placed on the couch is exceptionally inviting even if you don’t actually use it. All the better if you do, though. I have several tea sets that I keep around my home and there’s hardly a room I think can’t benefit from yet another display. I even keep one on the tub surround in the master bath. It’s always a good time for tea!
4. Fur Pillows
This one is probably the quintessential motif for winter, after all what could be cozier than a pouf of fur? I use Mongolian lamb pillows which are not actually fur, yet their soft and curly tendrils sure seem like the real thing. They more closely resemble wool in the way they are made, but their lush and fluffy covers feel like a true indulgence!
5. Luxury Bath
There are people who love baths and others who don’t. If you fall into the bath camp, this is definitely your season. I love the luxury of a hot soak in the tub, with bath salts and candles lit and, of course, scented soap. Bonus points for vintage white linens, pure as snow and crisp and clean. My favorite soap, for those wondering, is Rancé Gardenia, but I enjoy many others, as well.
6. Faux Fur Throw Blanket
Much like the Mongolian lamb pillow, faux fur throw blankets have become really popular in the last few years. And why not? They are soft and luxe and a pleasure to wrap up in. Placed at the foot of the bed they exude a note of pampering to winter guests. Tossed on the couch, or over a chair, they are the perfect defense against winter’s chill.
7. Sweater Knits
Perhaps not quite as luscious as fur but equally as ubiquitous, another recent trend is toward sweater knit blankets and pillows. It seems like each year they become chunkier and chunkier, but that’s half the fun. I enjoy fisherman knits and cable styles, especially in warm creamy tones. They radiate a feeling of warmth that makes you want to curl right up with a book by the fire.
8. Soup Bowl and Teacup
In addition to my silver tea sets, I’d be lost without my china cups. I collect 2 handled soup bowls, as well, and they are wonderful to use in winter. Whether it be a bowl of chicken soup or a cup of chili, comfort foods are a must when the temperatures dip outside.
My first choice for my collection is always vintage and French, and I love to mix and match patterns in similar tones.
9. White Florals
No decorating list is ever complete without talking about fresh flowers, even in winter, despite the selection of fresh being somewhat limited. I love an arrangement of all white flowers, with varied textures adding interest, as well as the use of differing sizes and shapes. The brightness afforded by the interplay of all these textured whites hides the grey gloom right outside the window.
When all else fails, I have been known to use faux flowers, too. Faux flowers are better than no flowers!
I may be already dreaming of the summer that’s yet to be, but when I’m at home in the winter, I enjoy my cozy home.
And what else do you think I’m doing when I’m rolled up in a blanket on the comfy couch? I’m deeply immersed in my favorite websites, planning my upcoming summer travel!
Cozy Homes Resource List
To get the look, click on the items below for direct links to the products. Where actual items were no longer available, I’ve provided similar options.
(This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.)
IF YOU LIKED THIS POST, YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN:
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- 10 Must Have Winter Decor Ideas Shopping Guide
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It all does look very warm and cozy, but what I love best is that matelasse-style sofa! That soup cup is just lovely, too!
Thanks, Maria!! Yes, the creamy feel of the sofa is what inspired the whole thing… 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I love all of the creamy tones, Lory! The cable knit sweater pillows have always been a favorite of mine; and I keep faux fur throws on our sofas, as well. There’s nothing like wrapping up in a throw, with a fire in the fireplace!
Thanks, Shenita! I couldn’t agree more. I need cozy this time of year… 🙂
You certainly have created a very beautiful and warm home. Everything is bright and inviting. The cable knit sweater pillows are charming.
Happy Saturday.
Janet
Thank you, Janet! I hibernate in the winter, so it’s a must… 😉
I love how you layered the different textures on the couch. It really adds so much to the room! I always love your posts, magazine worthy, for sure! 🙂
Thanks so much, Kim! Such a nice thing to say. That really means so much to me… 🙂
It’s all very cozy and inviting. I love your silver pitcher!
Thanks so much, Jan!
How fun. This looks amazing. Beautiful pictures of a gorgeous space. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
Thanks so much, Marty! Thanks for hosting… 🙂
What a wonderfully warm and cozy space!
Thanks, Kris!!
Beautiful! I love all the gorgeous pillows!
Thanks so much, Lauren! Thanks for visiting and taking the time to comment, too… 🙂
Gorgeous, cozy and elegant, Lory!
Thanks, Amy!!
I love your gorgeous home Lory. It is certainly cozy and warm. I also love all the romantic touches through out. Great use of colors and textures.
Happy New Year. May you have a great 2016.
Thank you so much, Janet!! What a nice thing to say… 🙂 I visited your blog as well, and I think we have similar taste. Your posts are just lovely! Thanks for stopping by and Happy New year to you, too!
Lory this is so elegant and inviting. I love sweater pillows so much! Fabulous job! I would love for you to share this at our What’s it Wednesday Linky Party! Fantastic way to start the year with inspiration.
Paula
ivyandelephants.blogspot.com
Thanks so much, Paula! I was actually looking for your party this morning. What time to you open it? And now I just posted in it and realize you were commenting on my winter post from last year, but I just did another one yesterday and linked that one. Will add this one too… 🙂
Btw, would love to have you link up at our Share It One More Time party on Saturday mornings, too! Thanks again for the kind words!!
You have made comfort and warmth look so inviting. Your vignettes are so full of wonderful items and your photography is outstanding..Happy New Year to you..Judy
Thank you so much, Judy! What a lovely thing to say… 🙂 You made my night!! Thanks for visiting…
What lovely touches you’ve added. The faux fur pillow is really unique. It puts me in mind of the hot pink ones from the seventies!
Please drop by and say hello!
Have a wonderful winter season!
Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Ha ha, so true!! When my daughter was younger, she had one in orange. We called it the wookie! Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by. I will definitely make my way over to your page. Based on the name, it sounds right up my alley… 🙂
this is so lovely.. the pillows and lantern and throw..and the soup in the gorgeous China bowl!
such wonderful photos, too. thank you for the inspiration.
Blessings,
Tamara <3
Ah, my pleasure to share. Thank you so much for the kind words and for taking the time to tell me how you feel… 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!!
You have sincere talent in not only design, but your photography is stunning – it actually made me “feel” the textures jumping off the screen! I live in the Canadian Arctic, so light in the winter is at a premium as we go down to just under 3 hours of daylight a day at the darkest point. I chuckled to myself as I realized I was reading this post while snuggled under my winter white faux fur throw, with cable knit slipper booties on (all done in front of a roaring fireplace!), so I guess I am a true believer in what you are saying. Since we have no stores in our wee fly in/out town, I guess I need to get the knitting needles out and make some sweater pillow covers; seeing yours has made me realize that my living room could look so much cozier with them. Thanks so much for the inspiration and again for sharing your exceptional talents!
Thank you, Chris!! I love your comment… 🙂 How nice that you can knit something like that. But if you want, you can also purchase online. I have another post from last week that links to many more cozy winter ideas. You can see that one here: https://designthusiasm.com/winter-decor-ideas/ I guess I should also go back and add source links into the post you commented on. Thanks for visiting!
HA! You had me at “I hate being cold!” ME TOO! But I do love all your wonderful suggestions, and I just ordered your gardenia soap, which is one of my favorite scents on the planet! Big warm bubble bath, here I come! ❤
How did I miss this comment? Yes, I LOVE that soap!! Gardenia candles are great too… 🙂
We have something in common…HATE WINTER, yet here i live in Vermont. Anywho I love this article about creating the feeling of warmth!! I think my favorite is the faux fur throw, I thing i need one:)
Thanks for sharing.
That is so funny! But Vermont is beautiful… 🙂 Yes, you must get one of those throws. So cozy!!