Cozy Up Your Home

By Amber Bouthot

We are still enjoying some summer-like temps this month, but colder weather is just around the corner. Here are some easy DIY tips and tricks to cozy up your home in preparation.

Add a splash of warm colors

The colors you choose in your home can go a long way to up the cozy factor. Fabrics and accessories in hues like rusty red, burnt orange, mustard yellow and olive green make gorgeous additions to most neutral colors.

Ditch the cotton, swap for flannel

During spring and summer, crisp cool cotton sheets are the way to go, but when fall temps descend, flannel sheets will keep you warm and toasty through winter. Now is a good time to add a quilt or heavy throw to the end of your bed, as well, to keep your tootsies warm.

Invest in some quality slippers

Floors are cold in the winter, especially if you have hardwood or tile. Keep your feet warm by investing in fleece- or wool- lined slippers and place them near your bed or the front door.

Embrace seasonal patterns

Patterns like buffalo check plaid, tartan, herringbone, and tweed in small doses throughout your house can add to the level of cozy. Look for these patterns in colors that accent the colors you currently use in your decor.

Go for heavier drapery

Sheer curtains are great for warmer months but consider trading them for velvet or heavy drapes with thermal linings when the weather gets colder. Besides making the space look cozy, they will insulate the room by blocking drafts from your windows.

Light it on fire

Not literally, but lighting lends ambiance better than any other accessory. If you want a cozy vibe, choose lighting fixtures that emit a warm, soft glow. Semi-opaque shades that diffuse light are an inexpensive way to capture this effect. n