As the weather outside gets chillier and we migrate indoors for the season, you may start to get sick of your surroundings. Spending more time indoors with little change can make you feel cooped up, but with a few refreshers to your home that mark the changing season, you can transform your home into a cozy refuge that you love coming home to at the end of the day. Take some extra care to prepare your space for the dark, cold days ahead with these easy to implement recommendations.

“We love the change of seasons,” says Koen van Renswoude, co-founder of Hygge Life, a home décor shop in Avon, “and by working your decor a little bit, you can emphasize the change, setting you up for cozy moments and more time indoors.”

Pull out cozy throw blankets that have been stored away in cupboards for the year. Bonus points if they’re thick and made from natural materials, like wool. Arrange extra pillows with the blankets on couches and beds for a comfy look, while keeping functional cozy items within reach.

“Lighting is really important to set the scene, as well. From a good floor lamp to fun rechargeable and portable accent lights to having plenty of candlelight around. In the evening, try turning off the overhead lights and only using floor lamps, table lamps and candlelight. This will create a cozy low-light and a sense of calm when you are winding down after a long day,” advises Renswoude.

“Make sure lamps have a ‘cozy’ setting,” adds Carey Matthews, marketing manager with The Christi Reece Group, a Western Colorado real estate agency, “whether that be three-way bulbs or LEDS that allow you to change color temperature and intensity. Harsh, cold color temperature bulbs are a no-go for hygge.”

Hygge is a Danish word that describes the ultimate feeling of comfort and contentment found in the small moments. Winter is often considered peak hygge season, because we naturally gravitate towards coziness during this time of year.

“A fireplace is of course a great way to feel cozy in a home, and decorating the mantel seasonally creates a great focal point,” suggests Stephanie Ryan from The Christi Reece Group. “Colorful felt garland or fir garland brings some fun to the feature. If you don’t have a fireplace, consider an electric fireplace. There are some really realistic ones available now, and they provide warmth!”

You could also brave the elements and start a fire in your backyard or patio. Bundle up in your favorite sweater, grab a mountain of blankets and a hot drink, and invite friends or family to gather. “Embrace the colder temperatures and get outside. With a sheepskin on the back of the chair and a thick wool blanket on your lap, you’ll feel like you’re in a cozy sleeping bag, and you can sit outdoors for hours,” believes van Renswoude.

If you can, make it intuitive to enjoy these comforting moments. Stack books on the coffee table to enjoy a relaxing evening curled up on the couch, corral puzzles and board games in a basket for family game night and keep slippers by the front door, so you can slip into comfort as soon as you get home.

It can tend to feel dark inside during the winter, so add pops of color by placing bowls of seasonal fruit on the kitchen counter, including apples, clementines, pears and kumquats. Or, forage for fresh greenery to place in a vase on the dinner table, adding lovely seasonal smells in addition to color.

Another way to brighten your space, Matthews suggests, is to “clean your windows! Sunlight streaming in from clean, clear windows is an instant warmth generator (literally and figuratively) for a home. You’ll be amazed at how different your home feels when your windows are clean.”

Regardless of how you choose to heighten the cozy vibes in your space, van Renswoude reminds us of the most important thing; “Make it yours! What are things that remind you of moments past, travels you’ve been on or things you love to do. Art, photos and prints are a great way to add in a lot of personality.” Only you can style the cozy home of your dreams.

Originally published in the Winter 2022 -23 issue of Spoke+Blossom.

Style Your Home For Winter