5 simple ways to increase your home's cozy quotient

It doesn’t matter what type of climate you live in, creating a cozy vibe in your home is imperative when it comes to invoking a warm, serene and welcoming feeling for your family and friends. When you conjure up an image in your mind of the coziest place you’ve ever seen or experienced, what do you see and feel? For me, I simply need to transport myself onto the set of any of Nancy Meyers’ films – the vibe she creates in the homes featured in her movies is always approachable, comfortable and filled with organic textures and layers. I mean, that English countryside cottage in The Holiday? Cozy perfection.

Adding layers of lived-in coziness to your home is something that takes time and thoughtful effort. But there are a few quick and easy things you can do to boost the levels of comfort and warmth in your home in no time.

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Level up your lighting

Someone once said that the ONLY time you should turn on overhead lights is when you lose an earring. I’m not sure a statement has ever resonated more deeply with me. If my kiddos walk into the house and flip on the can lights, it’s all I can do to keep myself from sprinting toward the light switches, diving to turn them off as quickly as possible, and then fumbling through the dark to turn on ANY other lamp or sconce in the room instead. I know, so dramatic! But I feel very strongly that most overhead lights have a way of instantly killing the warm and cozy vibe in a home, and they certainly rarely cast a flattering glow on any of the faces below.

Besides saying sayonara to unflattering overheads, two other easy lighting fixes to make your home more cozy are 1) installing dimmer switches on every single light switch in your home; and 2) changing out your cool white light bulbs with warm temperature bulbs instead. Candlelight is another quick fix that makes an instant, glowy impact.

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Bring the outside in

Another key to conjuring up a serene and cozy vibe in your home is bringing the outside in through organic textures found in nature. No matter what the season, head out to your backyard or go for a walk in the woods to forage for greenery and branches. All you have to do is bring them inside, place them in a large glass or ceramic vase and make sure they have plenty of fresh water – and voila! – you’ve upped the textural warmth of your space.

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Pile on the patina

A copper kettle, a set of wooden bowls a ceramic crock – the natural patina of timeworn items like this pack a punch when it comes to creating warmth in your home. Schedule a quick trip to your parents’ or grandparents’ homes (or the garage sale down the street or your neighborhood antique shop) and scour them for some perfectly aged pieces that can be scattered throughout your space for an instant cozy glow up.

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Layer on the blankets and throws

Take a quick spin through your house and pull out every single one of your blankets and throws. Now, grab the quaintest quilts and chunkiest knit throws of the bunch and drape them across your sofas, ottomans, or chairs… or loosely pile them into a storage basket and have a corner of the top blanket spill out over the side. The more varying textures you have the better – from airy linens to fuzzy wools to faux fur – it’s the mixing of textures that create the layered, lived-in vibe. Plus, you want your family and guests to have easy access so they can wrap themselves up and get cozy at a moment’s notice.

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Keep adding texture

Remember, a mix of textures and a layered look is key to creating coziness. You can incorporate textures through all types of elements – think bedding, window treatments, throw pillows and wall art. Baskets are a no-brainer – they add dimension, warmth and organic texture to any room. Plus, they provide stylish storage! Win-win. Mirrors are a great way to add texture to a blank wall – and they do a great job of reflecting all of the cozy elements you’re about to add into your home!

Oh, and one last thing. If you’re inviting guests, ALWAYS light candles, turn on your lamps, start a fire and play some moody tunes to set the coziest vibe possible. In fact, why wait for company? You deserve to treat yourself to a healthy dose of comfy cozy goodness in your home every single day.