Simple Ways to Create a Cozy Home

Join me as I show you simple ways to create a cozy home this winter. Learn how to use what you have to make your home feel cozy and inviting.

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Why Do I Try to Cultivate a Cozy Home?

As I sit writing this, it is 22°F and there’s a snowstorm on the way. For the most part, we don’t see too many gloomy overcast days in the mountains. Even when it rains or snows, it’s still sunny here. 

But when we lived up north, it was in an area noted for the fewest days of sunshine. Trust me when I say, I completely understand the winter blahs.

But winter is a season of hibernation. One of rest after harvest. An opportunity to embrace a slower pace and spend time learning skills or creating.

To enjoy time with family and friends, find joy in comfort foods and drinks, and build a home that feels inviting and restful.

Sometimes This Season is Difficult

This time of year can also be a difficult one for many people. When we may feel lonely because the weather keeps us home. Where we may reflect on past losses or past hurt.

Coziness is so important to me because of this. I can remember a home that felt more cold and less cozy. Where there was more hurt and less smiles. Winter can be a time of warmth, joy, support, and creating.

Planning inside projects that make your heart happy, is so important.

What is your definition of a cozy home?

Everyone has different things that define cozy for them. Take food for example!

In our house, comfort foods are things like pierogi, spaetzle, cabbage and bacon. Also, potato pancakes with applesauce, warm cornstarch pudding, cinnamon rolls, and fresh baked bread.

Picture your comfy scene – what do you see? I don’t believe that you can necessarily buy that feeling of comfort.

Can you get things that help set a homey mood or certain décor? Absolutely, but that is only a small part of it. Don’t forget to be creative with what you have.

The Compare Snare

The compare snare can be a real issue and one that leads to unhappiness for many of us. There is so much you can do to make your home comfy & cozy, with what you already have.

Take some throw pillows and a throw blanket and arrange them on your sofa or favorite comfy chair. Gathering vine, branches, or even pine boughs can be woven into a simple but elegant wreath for your front door.

Scraps of fabric can become a lap quilt. An essential oil diffuser or simmer pot on your stove can give a sense of comfort.

Coziness is something that must be curated and cultivated. It is a mood, a daydream, a creation of joy and belonging in your space. It is contentment.

How to create this feeling of coziness in the midst of winter?

You can find a sense of contentment in purposeful slow living, such as a phone call or hand written letter instead of a text or email. Hosting friends or family instead of a group chat or zoom call.

Learning a craft or a skill instead of hopping on amazon to purchase that “homemade” item (scarf, painting, sketch, home décor wreath, etc.)

Create an experience. Are you baking bread? Try grinding your own flour.

Lighting candles or a fire? Use matches instead of lighters. I especially love beeswax candles.

Making tea or hot cocoa? Use a stove top kettle or even a kettle on your woodburning stove instead of a microwave.

I understand that not everyone has the ability to grind their own grain or have a woodburning stove, the idea is to get creative in the ways we do things and not just follow the road of convenience.

When there is a process or a creative way of doing things, it creates that feeling of a comfy home. Of a home built by your own two hands.

Simple ways to cultivate your cozy?

So what are some simple ways to create a cozy home this winter? Surround yourself with things you love, easy entertainment things (puzzles, Jenga, sketch pad and pencils, interesting books)

Cultivate family bonding by reading a book series aloud together (we are currently reading the Anne of Green Gables series) swap TV time for family game night or cook together as a family.

Maybe something like Stone Soup where everyone chooses an ingredient for the evening meal! Even better, you could read that story together!

Find your community. Can you “pay it forward” by volunteering time or effort that meets a need? (Quilts for ministries, support of a missionary, need in your community, plan/start a community garden and orchard, etc.)

Appeal to your five senses!

When I was a little girl, my grandma had a beautiful meandering garden. One of my favorite places in the garden was the “5 Senses” area.

She grew plants in groups specific to each sense. Sight was a gorgeous array of flowers. Sound was a group of plants that attracted buzzing and flapping pollinators. Smell and Taste were a lovely bunch of herbs. Touch was things like Lambs Ear and Soapwort.

You couldn’t help but smile and soak in the amazing wonder of God’s creation. Even though I had no clue then, the splendor of Who created it all.

Cozy Ideas for Each of Your Senses

So, how can you appeal to your five senses – sight, sound, smell, touch, taste?

Taste = Baking, comfort foods and drinks. Soups, hot cocoa, teas, muffins, breads are just a few ideas.

Smell = A simmer pot on the stove. Beeswax candles. Essential oils. Dried Herbs

Touch = Blankets, cozy socks, sweaters, inviting textiles (sheepskin, wool, fur)

Sight = Candles, fire, twinkle lights, soft warm lighting, No fireplace or wood stove? An electric or gas fireplace can be cozy or if that isn’t feasible even a table top fire pit can set that mood.

Sound = crackling fire, thunderstorm, soft instrumental or classical or hymns

My favorite cozy things!

Lehman’s Hardware

Cocalico Creek (for all things cozy décor)

Mountain Rose Herbs

Azure Standard

one last thing…

I’d love to hear what you think in the comments below! If you loved this article, I would love it if you gave it 5 stars!

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Snap a photo and use the hashtag #thecultivationofcozy to join in the community! I can’t wait to see it!

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