Who doesn’t want a cozy and welcoming home?!
It’s one of those things everyone wants but not everyone has the skill to accomplish. The good news is that you do not need to be an interior designer or spend much money to create a cozy home. Actually, if you make a few tweaks, you can create a cozy and welcoming home with the things you already have!
This post is all about FREE cozy home ideas you can do to make a cozy home and welcoming home for your family and guests!
What Are The Best Free Cozy Home Ideas?
Use Warm Lighting
If you look online at the most modern home interiors you will see that everyone uses cool lighting. It is bright and lightens things up. However, it’s not the coziest.
When My husband and I moved into our new home we were deciding which type of lightbulbs to buy. The recommendation at the store was cool white lights. But we took a moment to think about it. We asked ourselves, “What kind of vibe do we want in our home?” The answer came quickly, “That cozy coffee shop vibe!” What lighting does every cozy coffee shop use? Warm, soft lighting. Always. Going into a coffee shop with cool bright lights will not feel cozy.
So go ahead and embrace those warm lights or dust off your old light bulbs from the garage. You won’t regret it as you enjoy your cozy home.
Bring Out Your Throws
Bring out your throws from hiding! If you have a faux fur throw in your linen closet or bedroom bring it out into the living space. A cozy home is never missing throws or blankets. Draping a throw over your couch will instantly feel cozier. A throw or blanket that is accessible is a clear invitation for someone to kick off their shoes, put their feet up, and relax.
If you have multiple blankets or throws (like me) add extra layers and drape some over your couch and have some in baskets at the end of your sofa which is another way to make them accessible to friends.
Pick Some Flowers or Greenery
Go outside and snip some flowers and green leaves! I can guarantee you that if you go outside or take a short walk you’ll be able to find some fresh flowers to place in your home to give it some earthy tones.
Seasonal flowers are one of my favorite ways of making a cozy home and welcoming home! When I was younger I would go out into my parent’s backyard and pick the wildflowers that grew with the weeds. I would place them in a mason jar with some water and they added some happiness to my day! Even though they are free, never underestimate natural materials.
Don’t Hide Your Rugs
If you have an area rug under a bed or a large piece of furniture, take it out and bring it into an open space! Adding warmth underfoot will give a living room personality and add warmth, especially in the colder months. Plus, a rug helps bring a space together and add texture and style to your cozy home.
Display Your Books
I know you have books at home – display them! You can easily create a cozy reading nook in your home by strategically placing a chair near a floor lamp with some books nearby. You can also place some of your favorite books on a coffee table with some decorative pieces you already have and you instantly make a space feel cozier.
Never forget the power of books – especially since they are something you already have!
Turn On The Lights
How do you make your home more welcoming when you are expecting guests? Turn on the lights! Whenever I walk into someone’s home and most of the lights are off it feels like I am interrupting or intruding – even if they had invited me. When the lights are on, it is a sign that they were expecting me and it feels way more inviting and warm as soon as they open the front door.
Such a simple but effective tip!
Light Candles
Make a habit of lighting your candles to create a cozier feel. Many people have them but not everyone lights them up.
I have a candle in our guest bathroom and I made the habit of lighting it up when I am expecting guests. So when a guest uses the bathroom not only does it smell good but it gives a cozy feel (with the warm light) and it also tells my guest that I made the extra effort to make this space ready for them.
You can also light candles when you are having a normal weeknight at home alone or with your family. It will create a cozy environment and help your family feel even more at home and relaxed.
Open Up The Curtains
When I first saw the house I am now living in, it was very dark and did not have a lot of natural lighting since it was a townhome. I am a huge fan of natural lighting but I was willing to compromise because the house had everything else we wanted and I was going to paint it white – so I thought that would compensate. Once we moved in we removed some blinds that were falling apart and I opened up the blinds of two large windows and a miracle happened – the natural light came in! The previous owners never opened their blinds so the house felt dark and gloomy. As soon as those windows were exposed the house came to life!
When people walk into my home the number one compliment I get is how they love the natural lighting. There is something about natural elements like light and flowers that bring life to a home.
I do know some people who prefer darkness. If that is you, I encourage you to incorporate natural light in your home for a week and see how you feel. It will positively affect your mood and the mood of those in your home.
So even if you have the coziest velvet drapes, open them up and bring in that good lighting!
Decrease Clutter
Oh, the clutter! It is so easy to accumulate and so hard to get rid of it. A home full of clutter will not be cozy or welcoming. On the contrary, it will make those in your home feel stressed because it does not help the mind relax. Clean and organized spaces help any room feel more welcoming and warm.
Create good homemaking habits that will enable you to maintain your home in order. Need some motivation? Read: 7 HOMEMAKING TIPS THAT WILL MOTIVATE YOU
Don’t Have A Perfectly Tidy House
Now, on the other hand, you do not want to decrease clutter to the point that your home does not look or feel lived in. This is very important for guests! If you want your home to feel welcoming to guests and your goal is to make them feel at home, do not make it look (exactly) like home out of Pinterest.
This does not mean you should not have your home organized and the clutter under control (like we spoke about in the previous point). Your home should have a unique style and beautiful decor that makes it attractive and modern. However, if your home is perfectly picked up and not one hair is out of place, it can actually make your guests a little uncomfortable because there is no reality they can relate to.
Make your space look lived in! If you struggle with this (for my perfectionists out there) at least leave some dishes in the sink. This is a small detail that many people do not think about but it goes a long way. Help people feel comfortable by letting them know you are human, too.
Display Family Photos
Are your family photos hidden in a box in your office closet? Take those photos out and hang them on the walls! Family photos add a personal touch and extra warmth to a home because it shows the people that live in it. Guests love to look at the photos on the wall and talk about the events in the photos.
Need more decorating ideas for your walls? Check out this post: 11 BEAUTIFUL CHRISTIAN DECOR ITEMS (THAT ARE ACTUALLY NOT TACKY)
Make Some Coffee
Make some coffee when guests come over. There is nothing cozier than the smell of coffee brewing. It makes your guests feel welcomed, expected, and invited to sit down and chat, especially in those winter months when all you want is a hot cup in your hands! Coffee never fails to make a cozy space.
Have A Cozy And Welcoming Attitude
Most importantly, you need a cozy and welcoming attitude. You can do all the things above and even spend all the money in the world to create a beautiful and cozy home or the most amazing cozy bedroom but if the right attitude is not there, it will not feel cozy but rather cold. Creating the perfect place starts with the heart.
Does your heart hold bitterness and anger? Is your home full of cold biting remarks? Do you have tension in your family relationships? Do distrust and selfishness surround you? If sin is strong and present in your heart, those around you will not feel welcomed and loved. You must bring these things before God because they matter the most. Make sure all the rooms of your heart are decluttered and picked up and then you will have the most cozy and welcoming home you could ever imagine.
Take some time to think about this. This is the one thing people lack most in creating a cozy atmosphere.
Remember, God is not only part of your life, He is your life!
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