5 tips for creating cosiness at home

Warm up your space with colour

Colour makes a huge difference to how a space feels. Rooms that use predominantly cool colours (ie those with a blue undertone), or are predominantly white will feel fresh and cool in Summer, but come winter, they may feel too cold, so introducing accessories in warmer colours will help add warmth to the space.

Darker colours give a greater sense of cosiness by visually closing the space in and making it feel more intimate. Think about what colours you have in your space. Do you have different cushions or accessories that would introduce more warmth? Mustard yellows, orange, deep reds, warm purples (think grape), are colours that work well to introduce cosiness, anything with a warm yellow undertone, as opposed to a blue undertone will work well. Think about a colour that you could accessorize with cushions you already have in your space. You shouldn’t need to swap out all of your cushions - just introducing some stronger warmer colours will make a difference.

Less sheen, more texture

The whole feeling within a room can be altered using texture - making large spaces appear more cosy (with more rough textures), and smaller spaces feel more open (using more high sheen, glossy textures). If you have a large lounge area that doesn't feel cosy, try introducing more dark or warm colours and rougher textures to help close the space in. If you have a small space and want it to feel cosy, but not cramped, use more texture, but keep your colours lighter, and include some sheen. The room below feels cosy and welcoming with good use of texture.

Cosy floor rugs

Rugs are a great way to make a space feel more cosy. They also anchor a space and increase the feeling of intimacy, welcoming you into the conversation area. Choosing a woolen rug or one with a lot of texture will feel cosier than a light cotton or jute rug, as these are more suited to the cooler Summer months. Rugs are especially beneficial in rooms with wooden floors or a lot of glass (high sheen), but even in a room that is carpeted, a rug in the conversation area will help anchor the space and create a greater sense of intimacy and cosiness - its surprising how much more inviting your conversation area will be with a carefully chosen rug for the space.

Lighting for atmosphere

Opt for warm lighting wherever possible (yellow toned LEDs or halogen bulbs). Warm lighting is more inviting and relaxing as it is designed to be ambient lighting, creating the overall mood of a space. In contrast, cool (daylight bulbs) are designed to be used for task lighting - and if this sort of lighting dominates, it may make spaces feel stark and uninviting. Consider using a variety of light sources to create a lovely ambience in the evenings - adding to the cosiness of the space. I like to avoid using the main room lights wherever possible, but instead use a number of lamps (floor standing and table lamps) to create more visual interest. A floor lamp with a warm 60w bulb is normally ample light to read by, and gives off a nice warm glow. Another table lamp elsewhere in the room will create another pocket of interest - perhaps emphasising a display or some art work. Add candles to the mix, and you'll be feeling the cosy effect in no time! (Try clustering candles into a tray for real impact, and a less cluttered look). A reading lamp with a task light that can be switched on and off as needed can still be incorporated into an overall cosy lighting scheme if needed.

Drapes make all the difference

Drapes transform a room. By adding additional softness as well as texture, they make a room feel cosy and more welcoming (whether they’re drawn or not). Choosing drapes with the right amount of texture, and the right depth of colour to go with the style of your home is important. Chosen well, they create a room that feels balanced and homely. Try to find a colour that isn’t too light, nor too dark so they transition comfortably from Summer to Winter.