The word “home” often evokes visions of coziness in the minds of many. However, not all homes are cozy right from the start— especially if it’s a home you’ve just moved into. Moving into a new home can be especially challenging for young children because nothing is familiar. Here are five places in your home where you can create a cozier feel.
Depending on how your home is set up, place your nice, comfy couch in front of the fireplace. The couch and fireplace are two natural gathering areas in the living room or family room, so having the couch face the fireplace makes it even cozier. If you can, mount your TV above the fireplace to make your family movie nights even more cozy.
To make this area even cozier for the entire family, you can change up the decor every season. During the fall, choose warm, earthy colors and go crazy with Christmas decorations during the holidays. Use fluffy rugs (if you have hardwood floors) during the winter.
The kitchen is another major gathering area in the home— arguably the most common and most important gathering place. Not every kitchen has a cozy breakfast nook for families to eat their morning meal, but that doesn’t mean that your kitchen can’t have a cozy gathering place. Many kitchens have islands, but it’s often utilized as extra counter space. Here are some examples of what can be added to your island:
● Bar/seating area
● Oven/stovetop
● Sink/dishwasher
If your kitchen island is big enough, you can add all of these things to it— especially if you have an “L” shaped island. With a seating area, you create a natural gathering space for you and your kids. They can sit and watch (or help) as you’re preparing meals, washing and chopping vegetables, and baking sweet treats.
Bedrooms are probably the easiest place in your home to make cozy. Still, there are times when a room doesn’t feel as cozy as it should, and this can make it very difficult to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. Here are some tips to make your room cozier:
● Add plants to the room.
● Choose a comfortable mattress.
● Declutter the room.
● Keep lighting to a minimum.
● Update your bedding: opt for cooler fabrics and blankets in the summer.
● Use fluffy rugs (if you have hardwood floors) during the winter.
Everyone in your home may have different preferences when it comes to what makes their room cozy, so keep their preferences in mind.
These days, the backyard is an extension of the home— especially the kitchen. Create a cozy backyard space by creating a patio or deck area for your family to spend those warm summer nights. An outdoor kitchen on your patio also makes summer barbecues more convenient, and depending on how big your backyard is, you can also add:
● A fire pit
● A pergola
● A swimming pool or other water feature
If you really want to make your backyard an extension of your home, you can even add a TV outside to have some of your movie nights outdoors. Add a fire pit for roasting hotdogs and marshmallows, and you have the perfect cozy backyard.
If you have an attic or a basement (or both), you can turn these areas into an additional cozy living space. Again, depending on the size of the area, you can convert your attic or basement into a cozy nook or playroom for the kids, or maybe even a home office for yourself. Larger basements and attics can be converted into mini living spaces with a lounge area, a bathroom, a kitchen area, and whatever else you space for.
Just keep in mind that not all attics will be able to be converted into a functional living space, due to building code requirements. This is why it’s always best to consult a professional contractor before attempting to convert this space. You should also consult a professional before attempting to convert your basement into a living space.
You may have additional rooms in your home that can be dedicated to being the home’s “cozy area”. You may also have space in other rooms of your homes (such as a bathroom or garage) to create additional cozy spaces. You can even make your front porch cozy by adding soft furniture and plants. Also, there are many different things that can make a home cozy, so do what works best for you and your family.