30+ simple ways to make your home feel cosier

Decorating ideas to add warmth and character

For some, cosiness means lighting a candle and curling up under a blanket with a warm cup of cocoa in hand. For others, it's more about setting the mood and introducing homely touches that make rooms feel inviting, warm and mellow.

So, no matter what the weather is doing where you are, now is the perfect time to rethink your interior and create an intimate and snug environment.

From introducing texture to adding accessories that are sure to set a cosy tone, here's how to up the comfort factor in every room. Read on for inspiration...

Create a warm welcome

Your entrance hall is no doubt the first place visitors see when they step inside your home. It's also the area of your home you visit on a near daily basis, likely at least twice a day, so it should be a welcoming and tranquil place.

A bench seat is a great addition and makes taking off shoes nice and easy, while house plants, a side table, rug and lamp will help to create a rustic and romantic feel.

Featured storage baskets available from Cox & Cox.

Turn up the texture

Layers, texture and tactility are all fantastic for making rooms feel comfortable, welcoming and homey. Give your living room an extra layer of cosiness by turning up the texture level. Texture can be added with throws, cushions, rugs and other soft furnishings in knitted textures.

Muted tones are easy to work with and will instantly transform your sofa into a soft and sumptuous haven. For real wow-factor, go for a bold contrast.

Featured sofa available from Furniture And Choice.

Befriend plants

Few things add texture to a home better than house plants. Regardless of what the weather is doing outside, fresh foliage can breathe new life into a space and turn a house into a home.

Adding plants will not only purify your indoor air, reducing pollution and toxins but will make your home feel both loved and lived in. If you're not great at being a plant parent, then opt for low-maintenance options like the rubber plant and monstera.

Featured sofa available from Furniture And Choice.

Hang a cocooning wallpaper

If you're looking to create a cosy and welcoming interior, then what better way to do so than by hanging a rich, cocooning wallpaper? From botanical prints to solid shades, there are endless options out there to choose from. Wallpapers with dark backgrounds can help to inject added cosiness.

Think jewel tones, forest greens or rich plums. You could also opt for a removable mural, so you can switch up your wallcovering when the mood next strikes.

Featured wallpaper available from Graham & Brown

Paint over a white backdrop

White walls can be a great choice if you have plenty of bold furnishings, but if not the reflective nature of the shade can make rooms feel too bright and even cold. So, consider giving plain walls a welcoming and cosy makeover with warming neutral tones to turn up the heat.

Create a new paint feature with wall panelling in taupe shades for increased interest and texture, or paint your own wall mural. Complement your new paintwork with neutral furnishings and tactile fabrics.

Featured paint available from Annie Sloan.

Layer up for alfresco nights

Even if you live in a part of the world where autumn tends to be cool, outdoor entertaining is still possible. Transform your garden terrace or balcony into a snug outdoor enclosure with comfortable furniture and outdoor lighting, such as LED candles, solar lanterns or festoon string lights.

Then layer up with cushions, throws and outdoor rugs – and, if the weather requires, light up a firepit.

Featured furnishings available from Dobbies.

Cosy up the kitchen

For many, the kitchen is the heart of the home. So, give yours some love by considering a style makeover. You could make small or large changes to freshen up your space. If you fancy a colour change, why not paint the cabinets a gorgeous rich shade?

Or simply switch out kitchen hardware with brass handles for a touch of opulence. Complete the look with copper cookware, a well-secured rug and fragrant candles.

Featured preloved painted kitchen available from Rehome.

Make the most of daylight

If you live in a part of the world where autumn means fewer hours of daylight, make sure you make the most of every hour you get. Open up your curtains and blinds each day to flood your rooms with natural light and consider rearranging furnishings to face windows.

This will not only keep your living spaces well-lit, but also ward off any Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) symptoms, if you live in cooler climes.

Featured curtains available from Hillarys.

Bring in natural materials

Be inspired by the organic patterns, materials and colours of the outside world by embracing natural materials.

Whether that be a timber panelled wall, linen bedding or rattan accessories, try to draw in elements from nature to add a warm, inviting feel to your living spaces.

Featured wall panelling available from Naturewall.

Indulge in velvet

Sumptuous and soft, velvet is well-suited to cushy interiors. Opt for classic autumn tones across your soft furnishings for a sure-fire way to create a warm and social living space, with plenty of elegance.

Even if it's sunny where you are, this approach is sure to help you create a happy environment.

Featured velvet sofa available from Sofa.com.

Refresh the carpet

What could be cosier than the feeling of a new carpet under your feet? Soft fawn hues are especially warming, offering a versatile and inviting canvas for whatever tonal palette you choose for your scheme.

If a new carpet isn't on the cards, then a beautiful new rug will do the trick. We love jute and seagrass options that add texture and a natural touch.

Featured carpet available from Alternative Flooring.

Update soft furnishings

Switching up your cushions and throws is a quick, easy and affordable way to spruce up your space. Soft furnishings can help you take the evening chill off, if that's something you need, but they can also add texture and make a room feel more welcoming.

So, even if it's balmy where you are, updating your cushions could give your home an added boost.

Featured cushions available from JYSK.

Run wild with woodland motifs

Even if you don't live anywhere near the country, or your local trees aren't beginning to change colour, you can still introduce an autumnal woodland scene to your home. After all, even desert homes need to feel cosy in the evenings!

Incorporate nature-inspired or rustic accessories, such as candles, a dried flower garland or even pine cone table decorations. Create a warming forest-style glow with hollowed log lanterns or votives and display rustic dried grasses to complete the charming cabin look.

Featured dining space available from Nkuku.

String up twinkling fairy lights

Nothing says cosy like fairy lights! Embellish your fireplace, bed frame or staircase with string lights for a pleasant and warming glow.

Team your favourite handcrafted accessories, such as baskets and wooden ornaments and group them together with candles and string lights. Is there a more welcoming sight?

Featured fairy lights available from Sparkle Lighting.

Rock dried flowers

Switch fresh flowers for earthy-toned dried grasses or blooms, presented in ceramic vases.

Mix dried lavender and pampas grasses with gold thistles and sculptural faux protea for a look that's effortless and super-low maintenance. Choose warm colours that complement your home's aesthetic.

Featured dried flowers available from Heavenly Homes and Gardens.

Add shearling or faux fur

There is a reason why Scandinavians love to fill their rooms with layer upon layer of faux fur. The soothing and comforting fabric offers the softest of textures and instantly gives any space a dose of warmth.

Drape over hard surfaces and snuggle up in them on sofas. If faux fur isn't your thing, then shearling or bouclé are fantastic alternatives for adding texture and comfort.

Featured shearling cushions available from Loaf.

Rethink your bedding

Layers of natural linen and organic cotton will add a comforting and refined feel to a bedroom, no matter where you live in the world. Crumpled fabrics add to the rustic and relaxed look, so no need for ironing.

Go for a muted autumn colour palette, but warm it up with wooden furniture and accessories.

Featured bed linen available from The Secret Linen Store.

Add a soft headboard

Look at ways to bring tactile materials into the bedroom. Fabrics with a textured edge, such as bouclé, can give a space a restful, cocooning feel.

If your headboard is in need of a refresh, consider upgrading to a soft, fabric-covered one. Or undertake a simple upcycling project to revamp the one you already have.

Featured ottoman bed available from daals.

Shake up your layout

Living areas can get a bit neglected during spring and summer, when many of us migrate out into our gardens and patios.

Change up your living room style and layout to give the space an inviting new feel. You might want to draw furniture closer to the fireplace (if your part of the world is getting colder), or lay down some extra rugs to up the comfort factor.

Featured living room furnishings available from Nkuku.

Enrich a room with artwork

Hang something eye-catching on your wall for a cheery sight on darker mornings. Design your own if you’re feeling creative, or shop around for a bold, inspiring art piece.

Abstract prints featuring rich tones make a striking addition to a small room, while cooler, more subdued gallery walls can help to create a calming, inviting environment. We love the zen, Japanese feel of this set up.

Featured artwork available from Desenio.

Work in a wall hanging

If art isn't your thing, then why not add a wall hanging instead? The perfect purchase to cosy up your walls, wall hangings add texture, tactility and a focal point, creating that gathered cosiness we're all looking for.

Search for designs that work with your décor – a macramé or rattan fixture will add an intimate, handmade feel that's ideal for a snug space.

Featured wall decorations available from Sweetpea & Willow.

Add an amber glow

Lend dinner time an atmospheric glow with candlelight. Start with a warming table cloth and arrange burnt-orange-toned glass votives and tall brass candle sticks that reflect flickering flames, to create a warming luminosity around the room.

You could even make (or buy) a garland to hang above your table using dried flowers and foliage.

Featured candles and light-up pumpkins available from Lights4fun.

Stock up the larder

The start of a new season is always a good time to reorganise your kitchen. So, whether you're wanting to introduce warming foods to brighten dark mornings, or switch to warm-weather foods, get organised with a simple larder update.

Fill up cupboards with essentials and decanter dried goods into charming Kilner jars. Add some foliage to your display for a finishing touch. Bonus points if it's a herb or spice you can use for cooking!

Top up tableware

Now is the perfect time to take inventory of your tableware, too. If yours is looking a little shabby, why not treat yourself to a new set of plates and bowls?

Go for eye-catching warming shades that sit well together. Buying a couple of new cereal bowls or pretty teacups can cheer a household up no end.

Featured tableware available from Dunelm.

Swap bathroom linens

Bring out the thicker, cuddlier towels and bathmats from your cupboard to help the make surfaces of the bathroom feel a little more welcoming.

You can go for a luxurious Egyptian cotton blend in earthy tones, or go bold with jewel tones.

Featured towels available from Loaf.

Add mood lighting

Mood lighting has the power to completely transform a room. Take a look at your living spaces, including the bedroom, and consider how you could add mood lighting for a cosier feel.

Floor lamps are great for lounges, while walls sconces and table lamps are great for giving bedrooms an inviting glow.

Featured furnishings available from Nkuku.

Bring in autumnal scents

Even if it's warm outside, you can still introduce inviting and aromatic scents into your home.

A set of amber-toned candles or fragrant diffusers that release woody undertones and spiced notes will instantly warm things up and create a tranquil, serene home.

Featured products available from Sophie Allport.

Soften hard lines

Contemporary interiors can often feature lots of hard lines that can feel a little unwelcoming and harsh. Soften up the look of your living spaces, by adding decorative cushions and soft blankets.

A new rug will reduce noise and add texture between your toes, while a shot of colour will keeps the décor feeling warm and cosy, even if the weather is dropping where you are.

Featured rug available from Nest.

Plump for a four-poster

The height of luxury, a four-poster bed is an easy way to create a cosy, enveloping bedroom. The original purpose of this regal design was to keep in the warmth via the hanging drapes, but they are fantastic all year round.

You could tweak tradition and create a modern canopy version with neutral-toned fabric, or simply let a contemporary frame do the talking with a warming wood finish.

Featured bed frame available from Oak Furnitureland.

Reorganise the bathroom

It may not seem cosy to complete a chore, but hear us out. The start of a new season is a great time to get organised and have a clear out. So, take stock of your bathroom storage and rearrange to make access easy for the whole household.

To bring in the cosy vibes, decant your favourite products into brown glass bottles and organise them with dried foliage or warming scented candles. All that's left to do is run yourself a bubble bath.

Featured bathroom storage available from VonHaus.

Create a seasonal display

We often decorate for Easter and Christmas, so why not consider creating a lovely seasonal display for autumn? Even if you live somewhere where this season is warm and sunny, a cosy display is sure to set the perfect homely scene.

If they grow where you live, pumpkins are fantastic for bringing autumnal charm into a home. Celebrate these glorious gourds by pairing them with storm lanterns and woodland foliage. Shiny rose gold adds an elegant touch and can be brought back out year after year. Dinky fabric toadstools and faux mushrooms bring a rustic touch.

Featured decor available from Lights4fun.

Get tactile in the kitchen

Warmth can be a tricky prospect in the sleek and functional world of the kitchen, so look to texture to add comfort. A durable kitchen rug will add comfort under your feet, while new dish cloths could add a pop of colour to the heart of your home.

Consider adding rattan pendant lights or wicker chairs for an extra level of variation to your décor.

Featured kitchen available from Naked Kitchens.

Rethink window dressings

Nothing adds comfort quite like a considered window dressing. Whether you opt for full-length curtains, blinds, or both, you can create real cosiness with the right products. Layering will also add texture and interest.

Go for earthy, neutral tones or opt for classic seasonal shade, such as burnt orange or moss green.

Featured window dressings available from Prestigious Textiles.

Work in a reading nook

When you think of the word ‘cosy’, do you immediately conjure images of a snug reading nook, tucked next to a window? Well, if you’re like us, you’ll think there’s nothing better than a good nook – and books really do instantly introduce tranquillity to a space.

Your space will need soft furnishings – like cushions and blankets – as well as a spot for your cup of coffee. Not into reading? Build yours for dozing, knitting, people watching or any other cosy hobby you might enjoy.

Featured shutters available from Shutterly Fabulous.