Last Updated on December 10, 2023 by Kimberly Crawford
Creating a cozy space at home can prove tricky for some. Sure, coming home from work is always an opportunity to unwind and relax, but you may feel that something is missing. Or that something can be improved.
You don’t have to get a degree in interior design before starting this journey; just a bit of imagination and an incentive to start. Who knows, you may enjoy it so much and find yourself so adept at it you might just end up having a new hobby.
You may have trouble not starting new home projects then. Let’s look into some ideas of where you could start in the quest to make your space so cozy you have a hard time leaving it.
Choose good lighting
Good lighting is everything. Not only does it create a nice ambiance and can therefore help you relax, but it is also very important for your eyesight and affects your circadian rhythm. It’s best to go for lighting that isn’t very harsh. It can put additional strain on your eyes and just ruin any pretense of calmness.
When it gets dark outside, try to keep the lights low and subdued, it’ll do wonders for your mood. The best way to achieve this is to incorporate more than one type of lighting fixture.
Overhead lights are very important, so don’t remove your ceiling appliance just because it doesn’t inspire those snuggly feelings to you; instead, incorporate some lamps. Torchiere lamps are classy and elegant, while a table lamp will give you the sense of being cocooned in your own private snuggling space.
The choice is up to you, but know you can’t go wrong with choosing both either. There is a type of light that may not be very beneficial in large amounts, and that is blue light, commonly known for being the type of light radiating from your laptop or phone screen. Try not to browse the web too late into the night; it’ll reduce your melatonin and give you a hard time falling asleep.
Focus on yourself
Creating a calming atmosphere at home means making yourself the star of the show. So it makes sense to incorporate some self-care habits and routines into your daily life.
Some of them, such as adopting a healthier, balanced diet, getting a good night’s sleep and starting a workout routine, are long-term projects, but there are ways to relax that don’t require as much planning and can be more immediate.
Getting into baking or cooking is one way of doing so. It makes you test your creativity, creates bonding time with family or friends and ensures you eat healthy, home-cooked meals.
Running yourself a hot bath can also be very beneficial; it really gives you the feeling of having no care or stress in the world, and you can also watch a great movie or finish up that book you’ve been putting off for the past month.
Make time for your relatives and pets, focus on gratitude, and you should see an improvement in your stress levels sooner than you think.
Pick a good outfit
You cannot feel relaxed unless the clothes you’re wearing are relaxing. Ban constricting clothing from your home and opt instead for flowy, loose-fitting styles that allow you optimal freedom to move.
If you can go about your chores but also sleep in it without feeling hindered in any way, then that’s basic functionality covered. However, you may be looking for something extra, which is totally fine. It’s important to pamper yourself from time to time.
Choose fabrics that feel good on your skin when wearing loungewear. Cashmere and silk give that timeless, luxurious feeling, but cotton or spandex can also work great.
Knits are also good choices, being both comfy and stretchy. You pick pajamas made in Canada, made from high-quality fabrics, if you want something that is flowy, breathable and thermoregulating, keeping you cool when the nights get hot and warm when it becomes chilly. Choose nightgowns if you think they’d fit you better, and maybe even the nap dress that’s become all the rage during the pandemic.
Add some green
Taking care of plants can be very soothing. They can be quite high-maintenance, but looking after them provides peace and quietness. Don’t feel discouraged if you don’t possess that green thumb and your plant wilts. Some pot plants are easier to nurture than others, so carefully pick them if you’re feeling uneasy in the beginning.
Aloe vera and succulents are sturdy plants that don’t need a lot of know-how to take care of. They’ll prove resilient companions for newbies. But if you’re more advanced and also enjoy a good challenge, then look into gardenias, orchids or Easter lilies.
A bonsai tree would also be amazing; taking care of it requires patience, focus and careful study, but investing time in it pays off and leaves you with a natural work of art. If you’re more adventurous, you can try your hand at taking care of a carnivorous plant. It’s sure to be a hit with all guests, and children will definitely love it.
Don’t forget your garden
Making sure your garden is in good shape will improve the overall feeling of your home. Your garden can serve many functions. The most obvious is creating allotments for fruits and vegetables. Gardening is popular these days, and urban gardening is at an all-time high.
Growing your own food provides a deep feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment. Flowers and trees are also important; they provide beauty and pleasant scents, but also, in the case of the latter, shade and fresher air. You can set up garden furniture such as benches, hammocks or swings.
Adding a table to the garden is also a good idea for those impromptu visits and garden parties you want to hold. Work out in the garden and get all the benefits of exercising outside and breathing in the fresh air. Yoga and Pilates lend themselves well to this type of environment, but if you’re more into cardio, that works perfectly as well.
There are many ways in which to maximize the coziness factor of your home. What matters most is what your needs are and how you envision your ideal home.