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 Want 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 this is a season of hibernation. One of rest after harvest. An opportunity to embrace a slower pace and spend time learning skills or creating, enjoying time with family and friends, finding joy in comfort foods and drinks, and building a home that feels inviting and restful.
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, 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.
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.
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.
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)
Foster 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 too!
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!
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
More from The Cultivation of Cozy!
How to Roast a Chicken to Perfection
A Homemaker Dreams of Her Garden
How To Meal Prep To Make Meals Less Stressful
My favorite cozy things!
Cocalico Creek (for all things cozy decor)
Simply Earth (Use Link for Discount!)
Loved these tips! Especially doing things that appeal to the 5 senses. I often don’t think of sound or smell, but you’ve given me some ideas to try incorporating them more. Thanks!
I’m so glad you found this useful! You are quite welcome!
These are wonderful tips! Thank you so much for sharing!!!
Thank you very much! I’m so glad you found this useful!
Wonderful tips and beautiful photos! Winter is such a wonder time of year to stay in and cozy up.
Thank you so much! It really is! SO much nicer to deal with the cold months under a comfy blanket.
I love the idea of reading together! 🙂 We’re a household of avid readers!
Yes we are too! I love that! Reading is such a great way to bond as a family. Thank you for stopping by!