7 Ways to Cozy Up Your Bedroom for Fall

updated Jul 17, 2020

Page URL

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

Winter is coming, and with it chilly weather that’s horrible for being outside but perfect for curling up in bed with a cup of cocoa and a really good book. The bad news is that adding a fireplace to your bedroom is probably not realistic (especially if you’re renting). The good news is that there are plenty of easy changes you can make to turn your bedroom into a cozy, welcoming space you’ll be loath to leave. Here are a few of our favorite ideas.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

1. Winter-ify your bedding.
Chances are your bed is the biggest (and most visually impactful) thing in your bedroom, so switching out your bedding will have a huge effect on the feel of the room. My personal favorite is linen bedding — all that lovely texture is hard to beat — but flannel sheets or a velvet coverlet will also do the trick. Check out this post of Maxwell’s for tons of tips on transitioning your bedding from summer to winter.

From Anne & Richard’s Loving Renovation at the El Dorado. (Image credit: Jill Slater)

2. Or pile up your bed with a big, fluffy comforter and pillows in stark white.
So I know this completely contradicts the advice in #1 above… but another way to get the cozy look you crave is to dress up your bed in a big, fluffy comforter and lots of cushy pillows, all in white. Volume is the most important part of this look — you want to make your bed look like something you could sink into. And all that white will catch the winter sunlight and give your bedroom a nice glow.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

3. Add a fur throw (or a big chunky knit blanket).
Nothing says “cozy” quite like curling up under a big, heavy blanket. A fur (or faux fur) throw, draped over the bed, will add instant coziness and texture to your bedroom. Or try a big, chunky knit blanket — lately I am sort of obsessed with these things. Etsy has plenty of appealing options, of you can make your own.

From Jesse’s Modern Bachelor Pad. (Image credit: Kim Lucian)

4. Cozify your lighting.
Lighting makes such a huge difference in the feel of a space. Get ready for fall by adding some low, soft lighting to your bedroom — a bedside lamp with a low-watt bulb (40 or lower) is a good place to start. Be sure to pick bulbs with warm tones, too.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

5. Layer rugs on rugs.
Because if one rug is cozy, two rugs are double cozy. Choose contrasting textures or patterns so the look isn’t too matchy-matchy. (This would be a great job for an IKEA sheepskin, like the one shown above.)

Spotted on Elle Decor España. (Image credit: Elle Decor Espana)

6. Embrace a mix of textures all over.
Rugs, throw pillows, curtains — anything that adds softness and texture will make your bedroom a more pleasant place to hunker down.

(Image credit: Apartment Therapy)

7. Add a little dark.
It’s hard to say why this is (maybe because it reminds us of the womb?) but dark colors = cozy. Cozy up your bedroom by adding bedding or curtains in a dark color… or if you’re feeling extra bold, paint the whole room.