Making Your Home Feel Cozy After Christmas
Inside: A few simple ways to make your home feel cozy after Christmas.
Cozy winter and cozy homemaking – you’re probably seeing cozy this and that all over the internet, but what does it mean to actually have a cozy home. I want to share a few very practical and budget friendly things you can do to create a warm and cozy home this winter.
I absolutely love Christmas and it is bittersweet to take all the decor down every year. While I miss the cozy glow of Christmas lights, having everything put away and cleaned up feels so good. It always makes the house feel airy again and I love the fresh slate to start the new year.
Winter is a beautiful season and yet it can be hard too, especially if you live in a cold climate and spend a lot of your time indoors. For this reason, I like to get creative with ways to make my home feel more cozy this time of year. I find that those simple touches of home go a long way in making it feel safe and welcoming, someplace we actually want to be.
These tips are things that can be applied no matter what home you live in. We are in a very small rental and I am somewhat limited in the changes that I can make, but even more important than the decor is the atmosphere we create in our homes.

Incorporate Textures
One of the simplest things you can do to make your home cozy is to add in various textures to your decor. Think chunky knits, faux fur, plaids, throw pillows, and lots of layers.
Throw pillows are an easy way to do this and one tip I have is to purchase pillow covers and exchange them out for each season. It is much easier to store pillow covers than whole pillows and it is far more cost effective too. Look for pillow covers with textured or patterned prints, accent colors, or details like a fringe.
Throw blankets
Another easy and inexpensive way to add texture and coziness to your home is to add throw blankets to couches and chairs. Bonus, it’s so lovely to have a blanket to pull over your legs in the cold winter evenings.
Look for blankets with subtle patterns, textures, or natural fibers. These chunky knit crochet blankets are so incredibly cozy and just feel like winter to me. I made my own a few years ago watching this video. It was pretty simple if you’re up for a little crafting or learning something new.
Warm lighting
Let’s chat about lighting. This is one of the things that I miss most when I take down the Christmas decor, but I have found a few ways to add that soft glow.
First, candles are so magical. I have them scattered throughout my home and I absolutely love lighting one in the early morning or evening hours. They just add that magical warm glow that makes home so cozy and inviting.
I absolutely love these candles from Antique Candle Company and love using scents with vanilla and warm spices. I also love using bees wax candles for m candle sticks and those times when you want a more subtle scent.
Table lamps and even floor lamps can also add some soft lighting. I like to scatter them on beside tables and use a dimmable floor lamp in the living room. Be sure and purchase “soft” colored light bulbs in a lower wattage to really achieve that glowy feel.
Add Greenery
Greenery may not be something you think about when it comes to winter decor, but little bits here and there add pops of color and life, something we all need reminders of this time of year.
Fresh greenery would be absolutely lovely, but faux pieces work well too. Personally I like to choose things that still fit the season, so for me, that means I do a lot of faux eucalyptus sprigs and garlands. I like to add springs to a jar on the coffee table or dining table, or on a bookshelf just to add some pops of color.
Whenever I go thrifting I keep my eyes open for small jars, vases, and ceramic vessels, that would hold small sprigs of something. Looking for vessels in different colors and materials is another fun way to add interest and texture to any room in your home.

Incorporate Warm Colors
I love to use a lot of warm neutral creams and tans in my winter decor, but adding warm colors here and there can really make things feel cozy. I love soft greens and blues and colors like warm mustards and deep reds are really beautiful too.
One of my favorite ways to add color is with a throw pillow or blanket or a small vase or piece of pottery. It is just a little more subtle, but so beautiful.
Utilize background Music
This is such and easy (and free!) tip. Music is incredible for setting the mood and changing the atmosphere of your home. Both Spotify and Pandora have free streaming services, and although you may have to listen to some adds, it’s a great way to incorporate music into your home.
During the winter and early morning hours, I love to find a calm instrumental classical station on Spotify and allow it to play softly in the background. At other times we may listen to more rousing anthems or sacred texts, it really depends on the day and what is happening, but this is the beauty of music and it’s power to encourage, uplift, and set a tone in you home.
I encourage you to play around with different styles of music at different times and see what feels fitting and appropriate in your home to help you create the mood you are looking for.
Bake Something
This one might seem a little odd, considering most of these tips have been related to decor, but hear me out. Baking something can create that cozy home atmosphere for multiple reasons.
There is something about the scent of warm chocolate chip cookies or fresh baked bread that is just inviting and welcoming and draws people in. Your home will smell amazing and the warmth of the oven will provide a little extra heat in your home.
The other reason I love to bake in winter is because I love to have a simple snack or treat to share for our family coffee and tea time or even with friends who stop by for coffee and a play date. Food often brings people together and breaks down barriers and I love having something on hand to easily share.

Winter coziness doesn’t have to end just because the Christmas decor has come down and it’s so fun to find simple ways to keep that warm, magical, winter homemaking feel all winter long. I’d love to hear your favorite ways to make your home feel cozy after Christmas!
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