Now that we are all spending more time than ever at home, it’s important to create a home we love. During lockdown, most of us spent every single day at home, and we realised that the spaces we live in don’t necessary function as well as they could, and they aren’t as comfortable or appealing as we would like them to be. Even though lockdown is coming to an end, for many of us, we have realised how important family time is. So, I want to provide you with 5 ways to create a cosy home that you love being in.
I will cover the topics of:
- How to use Colour to warm up the space
- Use Layering of textures
- Why Lighting is so important to make a space feel cosy
- How and where to use Soft Furnishings
- Using Plants to bring a more relaxed feel
Colour
Colour is such a personal thing, and while there are trends that seem to dominate, we are still inclined to choose colours that we like in our spaces. I am loving the greens and grey/beige colours that are currently on trend, you can see. Some of the sample colours in the pictures below. What I’m not loving are the pinks and peaches that have made a comeback. I feel like we should have learned our lesson last time around. But I guess we thought the same thing when fluorescent clothing came back into fashion!
I love to work with clients who want to create a home that will transcend the boundaries of time and still look beautiful in 15-20 years and beyond. But that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t use colour. It means they don’t have to go back and re-do their kitchens and bathrooms in 10 years because the colours they chose are no longer in fashion. But to get that timeless look, you must use colours that will transcend time. Colours that aren’t so bold that in 5 years you think “what was I thinking!”
If you’re ready to refresh your home with new paint but worry you might get it wrong, it’s worth the money to consult a professional who understands colour before you paint. It’s a costly exercise to repaint if the colour isn’t right!
Layering
This involves using different pieces of furniture, artwork, soft furnishings, accessories, and lighting to bring the whole space together. When you walk into a room that has been well designed, you can feel the difference to one that is void of any design or thought. You feel welcomed into the space, and you want to walk in, sit down and spend time in there.
The space feels effortless and comfortable. I’m not talking about a home that looks like a magazine either. When you have a cosy room, it will have colours that complement each other. It could be soft calming colours, or a dark moody scheme.
A must when creating cosy spaces, is soft fluffy cushions, the more the better (sorry guys – I know how much you all hate cushions!), preferably with feather inserts. If it’s a living room a comfortable couch with ample room for putting your feet up and relaxing with a good book. Adding a rug on the floor also give a sense of warmth. Soft flowing curtains to frame out the harsh square windows adds to the effect. Finally, a throw blanket will make you want to kick your shoes off, sink into the lounge and watch a movie or read your favourite book.
Here is an example of a bedroom that has been styled and you can the transformation from a pretty plain bed, to something that’s inviting and cosy. The pillows, blanket and lighting on the bed all work together to make it look luxe.
Lighting
The lighting in a room is so important to give the room ambience. I can tell you one thing for sure, the light in a room can make or break how a room functions and whether it feels inviting. This could be floor or table lamps, candles or just great natural light in the room. Natural light can’t be underestimated. Many homeowners are now installing skylights like those from Velux, to get more natural light into dark spaces in the home. And the beauty of the Velux system is you can install blinds on them. So when you don’t want to be woken early in the morning, simply close the blinds and you wouldn’t even know the skylight was there.
If your lighting is too harsh, it can make the room feel stark and less welcoming. You want to create ambience in the room that has enough natural light (where possible), but also has the right type of light for the room. In most rooms, it’s important to have a combination of 2 or more types of lighting. For example, task lighting is a bright light that emulates the outside natural light. This is used in the kitchen for preparing meals. In the bathroom to put on your makeup. And in the bedroom with a lamp next to the bed for reading.
Next add the background or mood lighting. This could be a table or floor lamp, strip lighting under kickboards and cabinets in the kitchen or spotlights on stairs.
In the living room use overhead downlights well as a pendant in the centre of the room as a feature. Then add a floor lamp, or a small table lamp in a corner to provide mood lighting. . Sometimes it’s nice to sit in a darker room and enjoy a glass of wine with someone special. Or even just sit with a book in the corner with the lamp on.
And don’t forget that lighting enhances our outdoor spaces as well. Living in Australia, we are blessed with great weather for almost 9 months of the year in most parts. This means we spend a lot of time outdoors and need to light those spaces too. Lighting an outdoor space can transform it from a nothing space to a gorgeous romantic retreat where you can enjoy time with your loved one. Fairy lights give off a soft and gentle glow, perfect for entertaining or a romantic evening.
Soft Furnishings
The soft furnishings are quite often overlooked when putting a space together. People forget to incorporate a rug or some scatter cushions. They leave the windows with just blinds, instead of softening the space with soft, beautiful curtains. This is the finishing touch that quite often is the icing on the cake. This is what takes it from a room that’s nice, to something that is totally amazing!
Plants
House plants are one of my favourite ways to bring the outside in and create a cosy home. They also make rooms feel more relaxed and appealing. But more importantly, they also play a role in in our overall health.
I love having plants around me as they reduce stress and filter the air. They’ve been shown to lower your blood pressure and make you feel calmer. By filtering the air, they can help you stay focused longer, breathe easier and sleep better. My home feels like an oasis when I have lots of plants around.
My Favourite plants to use indoors are the peace lily, Devils Ivy, Calathea, Zabzibar Gem, Ficus, Agave, and other succulents. Indoor plants that are easier to look after are those that have thick, glossy leaves. Ask your local garden centre which plants are suitable for indoors. They can guide you to find something that will work for you.
By incorporating the colours you love, with comfortable furniture that is in keeping with the style of the home and provides balance for the size and shape of the room, along with soft furnishings like cushions, rugs and throws, and then using lighting to create the right mood, you will create a space that is cosy and inviting. However, if you are struggling to get the right look for your home and want some help, reach out to us for a styling consultation. We’d love to help you create your cosy home!