- If you don't already have a couple of go-to throw blankets for the season, then you really must acquire some! For the budget-conscious, thrift stores are gold mines for often handmade blankets and throws that are perfect for the living room in winter. If you do have them, bring them out! Roll them or fold them up and put them in a basket that is easily accessible in the living room. That way you don't have multiple blankets all over your sofa, but they are readily accessible for coziness-inducing warmth! Kristen F. Davis knows what we're talking about---this photo is from her living room, seen on her blog.
- Add warm, ambient light. Instead of just turning on the overhead light, which can be cold and harsh, utilize two or three lamps that emanate a warmer, more intimate glow. If you have all white shades and are struggling with capturing an appropriate glow, put in an amber bulb for the season. This Crimean Pinecone lamp from Russian designer Pavel Eekra is an perfectly interesting example of warm ambient light!
- Sheepskin pillows and throws are perfect ways to inject warmth into a living room. If you're opposed to the real thing there are plenty of faux options just as readily available and equally as cozy! This example is a lovely throw from Black Sheep (white light).
- Candles are a great way to add coziness on a cold winter day. I'm going to up the ante with the suggestion of candles with wooden wicks that crackle when they burn! It sounds like a little fire (ok, it is a little fire!) and is perfect for those of us without a fireplace. Heck, it's perfect if you have a fireplace and don't want to start a fire! This candle White Tea & Berries candle from Leif comes in a reusable ceramic bowl...bonus!
- Don't monopolize the comfort---offer slippers to your guests! Martha Stewart suggests setting a basket of slippers near the door to offer to guests. Perfect if you live in an area with messy weather conditions where folks are likely to track in the winter with their street shoes. Put it next to the basket of blankets for a cozy buffet! (Ok, don't...but don't baskets just make everything cozier?)
Images: As credited above.
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my living room is always "winter cozy." my problem is clicking it down in the summer.
I add additional textiles along with throws - more pillows and an addtional rug - for winter. It makes everything cozier.
I like the idea of blankets rolled into a basket. Nice.
Is it just me, or does anyone else find the shared guest slipper idea a bit odd?
For inexpensive and warm DIY blankets, a few yards of fleece makes a great and warm tie blanket. They take a little effort, but if you're not into the tie thing, can still be sewn together. And they are super warm!
I love the use of baskets.
And if anyone is super worried about animal skins, the Ikea ones are all skins from the food industry, so the entire animal is being used for different things without discarding extras.
We stayed with my aunt last year for Christmas in Belgium and she had slippers for all of us, it was so cute, and the best part was that I had brought her the comfy foot duvets from restoration hardware, uncanny! It made everyone feel so welcome and warm.
The Japanese have used shared slippers since sometime around the beginning of the universe.
Maybe they're just used to the need to wear clean socks. However, what's the difference between going sock-footed in a place where others have walked and going sock-footed in a pair of open slippers.
We Japanese always take shoes off at a entryway. Never wear shoes inside a house. So clean socks? No shoes inside a house make our feet cold in winter. So we wear slippers and suggest guests to wear "guest slippers." Usually slippers for family and guests are separated. Fancy ones for guests and inexpensive ones for everyday use for family members.
And we have started to use slippers after Tokyo Olympic. Before then most of us were too poor to buy slippers and also clean socks.
I'm sorry I'm not good at English. :(
Kaori, your English is fine. Better than a lot of Americans :)
AT had a whole post on "should guests be required to take their shoes off" a couple of months ago, and it was quite interesting to find out that many other countries/cultures, not just Japan, expect everyone to take their shoes off when entering a home.
Love that Crimean Pine Cone lamp. It's beautiful. Just too big for any space in our house.
I love the idea of cozy winter blankets, but my NYC apartment runs about 88 degrees all winter!
Slippers for guests. Get some that can be washed. I have a friend who bought out a shop's mukluks ( think knee high wool socks with a leather sole) when it closed for good.
He can have up to 50 guests in his shoes- off home at one time.
I have never had an issue with the mukluks. They are always clean. Many people do wear socks with them.
I'm looking for durable washable cotton slippers.
Friends can leave a pair here if they wish, to stay on our shoe rack.
Most people just go in socks. Some like gripper socks.
The floors at our new home are wood, but they are not slippery like Pergo.
To pull two contentious topics together, nice washable spa booties or slippers would be wonderful hostess gifts in my home.
I'll even trade you the wine the last person gave.
(I don't drink, but I do cook with it.)
I own about half a dozen pairs of those slipper socks with the rubber "brakes" on the bottoms, so I always have several clean pairs. My last couple of female houseguests just used those. The men who sleep over just walk around in their socks or go barefoot.