The Art of Cozy
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” —Edith Sitwell
Home design is very subjective. Some people are drawn to traditional; others have an affinity for modern, rustic, eclectic, boho, etc. But there is one home styling element that everyone loves and wants—the unmistakable feeling of cozy surroundings.
When you think of a cozy home, who’s house do you think of? Is it your own? A family member or friend? Then think about why you find that house cozy; I’m willing to bet it has absolutely nothing to do with how “nice” or big the home is, but rather the feeling you had when you walked in, and the desire you had to stay and linger for a bit. The feeling of cozy is somewhat omnipresent and elusive and can only be achieved when several elements are at play and in unison—and it’s not just about burning candles or lighting up the fireplace.
Fun fact: in the design world there is a term that has surfaced recently which describes this cozy feeling, although the word itself isn’t new and dates to the early 18th century: hygge (pronounced hoo-guh). Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for “a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment.” Who doesn’t want that? Creating cozy isn’t an exact science, but if you follow these basic principles, you’re sure to have a hygge-worthy home in no time.
First, the MOST important element of cozy in a home is creating the feeling of togetherness, community, and acceptance. Love and belonging are basic human needs and are absolutely essential. Make your home a place where friends and family can be themselves, a “judgment free” zone if you will. Come as you are.
Next up, clean! Tidy up any messes and clear clutter. Your home doesn’t need to be immaculate, but keeping things relatively organized and in their place is a huge help. It’s hard to get cozy on the couch with a cup of tea when you have to move all the laundry off of it just to sit down.
In the colder months, switch out couch pillows for fluffier; warmer versions that you want to sink in to. Add soft throw blankets to the couch and keep a basket of extra blankets handy so everyone can have one on movie night. In the bedroom, invest in some well-made flannel sheets. I promise you, there’s nothing better on a cold night.
For ambience, tap into your special stash of scented candles: there’s no better time than now to burn them. If you have a fireplace, light it up! Keep a supply of Duraflame logs on hand so starting a fire is fast and easy if guest arrive unexpectedly, or you want curl up and read on a Sunday morning.
Finally, it’s hard to have a cozy home or gathering without good food and drink. There’s nothing better than the smell of food in the oven or on the stovetop. Keep a small selection of food staples on hand that you can quickly put together at any time, like a cheese platter or ready-made biscuits or cookies.
And just to get you in that cozy mood, I’d like to share with you a family recipe of the quintessential cozy drink: Hot Buttered Rum. In the winter months, I always keep a batch of it on hand, and it’s kid friendly sans alcohol. This drink is guaranteed to up the cozy factor in your house.
Hot Buttered Rum Mix
- 1 quart of vanilla ice cream
- ½ lb. butter
- 1 lb. brown sugar (2 cups)
- 1 lb. sugar (2 ½ cups)
- Cinnamon to taste
Soften ice cream and butter and mix together. Add sugars and cinnamon. Refrigerate.
To make: Use 1 tbsp. of mix, add boiling water, and shot of whiskey or rum (optional).
Enjoy your cozy winter!
-Katie Geddes
Katie Geddes is a home stylist and the owner of SALT Design Studio. Find out more at www.salt-designstudio.com
