6 Ways to Make Your Home More Cozy
Children's author Lemony Snicket once wrote that "one's home is like a delicious piece of pie you order in a restaurant on a country road one cozy evening — the best piece of pie you have ever eaten in your life — and can never find again." Clearly the writer knew the secrets to creating a home that's warm, inviting, and truly livable. Read on to discover these tips for yourself.
Warm Colors Convey Cozy
Painting rooms in hues like red, yellow, and orange make them feel cozy and intimate. In contrast, cool hues open spaces up and make them feel uninviting. If you can't splurge on a new paint job, you can enjoy some of the same effects by choosing warm-colored throw rugs and cushions.
Dining Room Decor
Image via Flickr by PoshSurfside.com
A classic dining table with matching chairs looks elegant, but not very inviting. Designer Peter Dunham suggests breaking apart from tradition and choosing more relaxed seating options.
"A deep banquette in a dining area is dressier and more relaxed than just chairs," he told House Beautiful. A banquette is stylish but also expensive. If your budget doesn't stretch far, try putting armchairs on double-duty or adding plush cushions to your dining chairs.
Comfortable Carpets
Carpet is falling out of favor as homeowners invest in hardwood floors, but there's no flooring that's cozier. It feels soft and warm underfoot, and it conceals sound to create a pleasant atmosphere.
For greatest comfort, choose plush carpet made from tightly twisted pile. Saxony carpeting is also like plush, although it's more affordable. Wool carpets are generally cozier than those made from synthetic materials.
Browsing through and researching carpet companies in St Louis will help you decide which to choose, where to buy it, and how to install it (if you venture to do it yourself).
Soft Lighting
Lighting can chase away the shadows, but make sure it's soft if you want a cozy feel. Use dimmer switches to set the perfect ambience in your home. Candles aren't just for power failures either. Lit candles in a hurricane lamp or candelabra can create a cozy atmosphere on any occasion.
You can also use light to draw attention to what's important to you. Placing a wall sconce near family portraits or a lamp by a treasured antique will highlight these keepsakes.
Ottomans
Retro ottomans are a great way to make your home more inviting. Your family and friends will instantly feel more relaxed when they put their feet up on these padded seats. Look for hollow footstools that double as storage space to cut the clutter in your living areas.
Blankets
When the mercury dips, there are few things as satisfying as curling up on the couch under a warm blanket. Designer Susan Zises Green suggests you shouldn't just bring them out in winter though. She told House Beautiful readers that she loves to have warm throws in every room. Choose stylish blankets that double as throw rugs or stash them inside those ottomans.
You'll be surprised how easily these simple tips can transform any ordinary house into a cozy home. Try it yourself!
Sources:
http://www.importanceofplace.
http://home.howstuffworks.com/
http://www.housebeautiful.com/
http://www.absoluteastronomy.
http://voices.yahoo.com/cozy-
http://styledstagedsold.blogs.
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