Have you ever visited someone’s house and felt right at home? Everything seems to be in its proper place and there is always something interesting to look at or notice or pick up. Not one corner appears forgotten or neglected. Of course the host plays a role in welcoming in their guests, but the space they have created permits a sense of ease and respite from the world outside.
As a designer, I’m constantly evaluating my surroundings (seriously, I can’t stop) and I’ve come to several conclusions as to why one home is inviting and enjoyable while another one is cold and uncomfortable. Keep reading to see ways you can bump up the cozy and pinpoint reasons why your home might not feel so “homey.”
Layer in More Rugs
In addition to placing rugs in living rooms and under beds, there are still other opportunities to layer in texture and soften floors. Rugs can help ground smaller furniture groups like dining tables, office setups, or even a single accent chair. If you want to distinguish areas or pathways, runners are a great way to enhance empty hallways and cover bare floors in the kitchen or entryway. Swap out the old bath mat and dress your bathroom up with a more substantial rug instead. Whether you opt for bold patterns, saturated colors, or natural neutrals, rugs are a definite way to cozy up your home.
Runners are a great go-to when you need to amp up any hallways or narrow spaces.
Replacing a bath mat with a proper rug elevates a bathroom while also adding warmth.
Reduce White Space
White space is important, but there is a difference between allowing wall decor some breathing room and an empty, barren wall. If you have some space to fill, art can function as a conversation piece, a nice backdrop, and a visual anchor. Mirrors, textiles, or a floating shelf are also ways to dress up an empty, minimal wall.
This textural, bright wall hanging is a perfect addition to a welcoming home.
Introducing curves and organic shapes like the mirror above can add playfulness and whimsy to a space.
I’m loving how this chunky, bulbous wall hanging serves as a statement piece.
Pump Up the Plants
Plants literally make a place come to life and it’s refreshing to have a taste of nature indoors. Organic monstera leaves, twisting ivy, textured cacti, and delicate olive branches all add richness and character to a home. They are useful in filling empty corners by adding visual volume. Large, weighty planters have a presence about them and can be a beautiful statement piece. Plants add color and texture to an otherwise bare room and are my go-to solution when styling empty shelves, consoles, or tables (basically anything they can stand on). I say the more plants the merrier!
Large, textured planters can serve as a statement piece.
Look for creative opportunities to display greenery.
Go all out and group plants together for a greenhouse feel.
Dress Up Your Beds
After a long day, the best feeling (after being greeted by my dog of course) is seeing my dressed up bed just waiting for me to fall into. It may take a little extra effort to arrange those euro pillows and layers of bedding, but I promise it’s worth it. If you happen to have spare bedrooms, your overnight guests will certainly appreciate the extra touch and feel like they’re home away from home.
Create a cozy and layered bed by combining solids, stripes, linens, and quilts.
Mixing cool sage green with a warm rusty lumbar pillow creates an earthy, rich palette.
Don’t Skimp On Accessories
Like icing on a cake, accessories are the final finishing touch to a welcoming home. Unadorned furniture will leave your house feeling static, boring, and incomplete. Objects that you can touch, feel, open, and pick up activate a room and make it more dynamic. Your house won’t just be functional, but something you can explore and interact with. When I flip through a book or smell a candle, I’m in a tactile world that’s far more interesting than an empty one. Keep in mind you will need far more accessories than you think. A few books and vases here and there won’t do the trick. The key is to layer, stack, and vary shapes and sizes to make a noticeable impact.
Balancing oversized pieces with small objects creates a nice tension and departs from a “matchy-matchy” look.
Combine similarly toned vases in different shapes and heights for a subtle variation.
Sprinkle in smaller accessories to show a level of thoughtfulness and attention to detail.
Use the same colors and tones across objects, textiles, and art for a cohesive look.
Make an impact with large scale accessories like the bowl and books above.
Curate different objects and vases in neutral tones for a natural, effortless composition.
Place candlesticks next to a stack of used books for a vintage vibe.
Find some unique throw pillows with texture to layer onto side chairs, sofas, or benches.
A few simple changes can truly transform your house to one full of warmth and comfort. It takes time to design a welcoming home that feels complete, but the few extra steps are definitely worth it!
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