As soon as the temperature starts dropping and the days start to get shorter here on the west coast of BC, I feel the need to make sure my home is cozy for the months ahead when I will be spending more time indoors.

marzena.marideko on instagram

Making your home feel cozy does not mean you have to clutter it up with a million pillows and blankets.  Making your home feel cozy while still keeping it stylish and uncluttered, is possible.  It just means you need to be more selective in what you add to your spaces, making sure each item is purposeful and still fits in with your design scheme.

Here are my top 5 ways to make your home feel cozy for the winter:

1.  Switch your throws from summer ones to winter ones.

  Merino wool and hemp are my favorite fabrics for throws for winter.  Have one near every chair or sofa in your living room or family room – wherever you like to read or watch TV.

2. Switch your pillows in your living room or family room to ones that have a soft texture like velvet, wool or hemp.  Dark, warm colours like chocolate brown, burnt orange, and black will also add a cozy feel.

Yvonne Kwakkel on instagram

3. Try adding rugs to floors if you leave them bare in the summer.  Thick, soft rugs and runners will keep your feet warmer and add another cozy layer.  Surya rugs has an amazing selection – we can help you find just the right one.

duval design – surya rug

4. Add layers to your tables too!  Try putting a linen runner on your coffee table or dining table – it will instantly make your living room feel more inviting because your table is no longer a cold, hard surface.  Use natural, earthy colours that won’t compete with other elements in the room.

5. Do you have bare windows or just blinds on your windows?  While they may be fine in the summer, on cold winter nights, bare windows and hard blinds are cold and uninviting.  Adding draperies (if there is room around the window) will make your home instantly feel cozier, especially at night.  If you don’t have room for drapes, soft roman shades will also work to add warmth and style to your home.

What are your favorite ways to make your home feel cozy in winter?