30 Easy Ways to Make Your Home the Comfy, Cozy Haven You’ve Always Dreamed Of

For a lot of people, homes this year have had to be everything: an office, a school, a place to rest, mourn, recover, relax, connect or just be. Since you’re spending more time than ever inside, why not turn your multitasking home into the comfiest, coziest spot it can be? Perhaps Instagrammer Aileen Grodzinsky sums it up best: “The coziest homes have a soul and a story to tell, where meaningful pieces come together effortlessly with functional ones, where every corner piques interest and makes everyone smile—a place where you feel like you are being hugged the moment you walk in the door.”

I promise, achieving that feeling at home not as tough as it sounds. I curated 30 ways to get that warm and fuzzy feeling at home that’ll make you happy to continue to hunker down there for months to come. Any of these strategies will bring you one step closer to a more inviting space—all you have to do is pick your favorites and get started.

These boho decor pieces are reminiscent of childhood knitted blankets and are fairly easy to DIY, too. The macramé chandelier pictured in the Winnipeg apartment of blogger Kirsten Buck is a relaxed alternative to some of the more angular, metal lighting fixtures on the market and is way more chic than your average ceiling fan. Even as a renter, it’s often possible to swap out generic lighting for something more “you,” and it can make all the difference when it comes to coziness. If you can’t swing a macramé light installation for whatever reason, a wall hanging will deliver this same kind of feeling.

Blogger Ariel of PMQ for Two enjoys cozying up her home with scents, whether derived from a candle, a diffuser, an essential oil spray, or just the smell of perfume in the air. “I’ve got a few scents that I disperse around the house to create an instant mood, and cozy and fresh is usually what I’m going for,” she says.

Designer Becky Shea echoes that sentiment. “Oftentimes, the outdoors are bursting with a variety of classic seasonal smells yet are nowhere to be found when home,” says Shea. The solution? Light a candle! Candles don’t have to be expensive to smell amazing, either. Check out these under $15 picks to find your home’s signature scent on a budget.

Plants in general are quite soothing and a welcome addition to any cozy space, but you can kick your greenery game up another notch with simple but decorative “planters”. Slip plants in plain ceramic pots or plastic liners into woven baskets for a warm, laid-back look, as seen in the New Jersey home above. Hanging baskets, which you can make yourself or pick up from a favorite small business, also add a calming feel to any room.

Pick out a few items that you love most and create a photo-worthy moment out of their arrangement. “In an empty corner, add character and warmth by creating a small vignette,” suggests interior and prop stylist Kristin Corrigan, whose home is pictured above. “Place a piece of art over a plant with some height, or a tall narrow table with display books and a small sculptural piece, or even a single pretty chair with a standing lamp.”

A faux sheepskin throw adds a dose of extra comfort to this UK living space, as if the walls of bookcases didn’t already scream “cozy”! You might be used to seeing sheepskins in white and creamy colors, but you can find faux designs in a number of hues. A deep teal blue version brings a more moody, unexpected touch to the otherwise fairly light and bright room, but a pastel one would also be super soothing to the eye.

Don’t shy away from mixing macramé, sheepskin, woven materials, and more all in one room. “Adding different textures to your space creates depth and brings warmth into any room,” says blogger Janea Brown. “Some of my favorite pieces to incorporate are rugs in every room, blankets displayed on a leaning ladder, a basket in [an empty] corner, or a pillow mountain on your bed.” Brown also likes to use small decorative pillows on a shelf. “It sounds odd but can bring instant coziness,” she says.

I spy more faux sheepskin, but that isn’t the only feature that drew me into this space in Scotland! Pouf-style ottomans keep a room from feeling too stiff and signal to guests that lounging is more than welcome. Why confine visitors to uncomfortable, formal chairs when there are plenty of cute, chill-friendly options?

Children will love having the ability to incorporate a playground fave into their own space, as seen in the Stockholm house above. Once again, the presence of textural accents enhances the space’s comfy factor. Hanging chairs aren’t just for kid spaces, though. You could try this in a corner of your living room or bedroom for an instant reading nook that also delivers a little bit of decorative whimsy.

For Instagrammer Lidia Salazar, natural touches are key to connecting her to the outdoors, which is her happy place. “I love adding elements of nature throughout my home to create a cozy and relaxed feel,” she says. “Adding a piece of driftwood on top of a stack of books is one of my favorite ways to accomplish this. I also love to display vases filled with dried florals or grasses throughout the house.”

Walking in the door and kicking your shoes off is always a satisfying feeling, but it’s even better when you’re stepping onto a cozy, cushy rug like the one shown in the New York apartment above. It looks stylish, sure, but a big, fluffy rug can also help absorb sound and add extra cushioning for those first steps you take when you wake up—or walk into your space. What could be better?

A lived-in home is a cozy home, which means that showing off some personality is key. Try showing off your book or record collection with a special piece—think something like this accent table meets vinyl holder in the Bronx apartment above), and it will serve as an instant focal point. As designer Jennifer Jones notes, “I always use books mixed in with accessories for a more ‘lived in feel.'” Any collection though can make this kind of decorative impact.

Stash totes, scarves, beanies, and umbrellas in a woven container placed under a console table, as seen in the Texas apartment above. Any spot that provides easy access on your way out the door is ideal. Again, anywhere you can introduce something with a homespun, handmade touch will give your home a dose of comfy charm.

Pampas grass is a little bit quirky, a little bit boho, and just super fun to look at, no matter where you choose to display it. Select a color that best fits your personality (this California homeowner opted for something with a slight purple tint) and be prepared to smile every time you see it. Another bonus? You’ll never have to put fresh water in the vase!

Can’t decide between that classic jute and colorful Turkish flatweave? Use them both! “Layered rugs are an easy way to add warmth to your space,” designer Michelle Gage shares, reflecting on the comfy chic space she designed above. “Layering a jute under a vintage style is a great way to work in multiple materials—better yet if your top layer features a warm color or funky pattern.” More rugs is never a bad thing when it comes to cushioning when walking around your space either.

Yes, your cook space can sometimes feel a bit chaotic, but little details can make a major difference in transforming the space into a comfy spot. “Kitchens can be cozy, too, with the addition of a great hand towel—bonus points for tassels—and branches next to the sink,” says Kelsey Haywood, who designed the charming kitchen space above. Any suggestion that might makes doing dishes feel a bit more calming is worth taking!

“I do love a basket full of cozy throws at the end of a couch,” Alisha Ramos, founder of Girls Night In, says. “It’s so nice to grab the blanket that’s right for you in that moment, whether you just want a light and airy one or the biggest, coziest blanket you own that’s almost so old and gross you should probably get rid of it but can’t because it makes you feel safe and warm.”

Grodzinsky notes that when designing a cozy space, your material choices are of utmost importance. “Choose soft textiles like velvet, silk, and cotton, instead of leather or canvas, to add softness to your spaces.” Already have a leather sofa? Focus on selecting softer accessories to balance it out.

Firm mid-century lines can sometimes read a little harsh. So if you have a sofa or table that’s angular and boxy, it’s always a good idea to soften it up with cushy textiles. Take this idea of room softening a step further with a curved piece to offset the straight silhouettes in your interior. A round rug or set of ball throw pillows can also heighten this calming visual effect.

Any time you can introduce a textile in an unexpected spot, go for it. Consider unframed tapestries, wall hangings, and paintings on unstretched canvas for your walls. Use a table runner to bring warmth to a media console—one can actually protect the tabletop a bit from the weight of a television. Instead of a traditional headboard, hang a decorative rug behind your bed. The more soft materials you can bring into your space, the more inviting it will feel.

Lighting is everything—it’s the easiest way to set a mood, and it can help lull your body into relaxation mode. For just a few dollars at a home center, you can buy dimmers to put your lamps on. If you’re a more experienced DIYer, you can also install in-wall dimmer switches for your overheads. The ability to play with different levels of lighting in your rooms will make all the difference in your home’s overall comfy factor. For an even easier upgrade, consider adding twinkling lights. They provide a soft, gorgeous glow when the rest of your lights are off.

Like rugs, a layered look can warm up window treatments, too. Consider bringing in bamboo or woven shades to pair with your drapery. You can also go the route of multiple drapery panels, adding something opaque over a set of sheers, for example. Sometimes the more fabric on your windows, the better!

Nothing says comfy and cozy like chalk paint. It has this wonderful, velvety texture. Give an old dresser or table new life with a coat of your favorite color. Even better, you don’t even have to sand before applying this kind of finish to wood!