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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.⇒

white winter floral in a cozy living room

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.

faux fur throw blanket with tweed pillow in a cozy winter living room

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.

candles and winter decor in a cozy home

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.

faux snow covered branches in a cozy home

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!

winter white living room with cozy tea set

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!

cozy fur pillow and winter decor ideas

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.

white linen and soap in a winter bathroom

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.

(photo courtesy)

faux fur throw blanket and winter bedroom decor ideas

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.

sweater knit pillow and teacups in a winter living room

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.

fur pillow teacup and other winter decor ideas

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!

winter white floral

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 lofted chair with throw blanket and fur pillow

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.)

cozy winter decor from designthusiasm

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Comments

  2. Shenita says

    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!

    Reply

  10. Janet says

    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.

    Reply

  11. Paula says

    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

    Reply

    • Lory at Designthusiasm.com says

      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!!

      Reply

  15. Chris G says

    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!

    Reply

  17. Maria Ward says

    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.

    Reply

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