5 Simple Tips to Create a Cozy Home

I love the Holidays, but I really enjoy the time after Christmas and New Years.  That time of year when you have a few minutes to take a breath and enjoy life without the pressures that come with the Holidays.  The Christmas tree is down and decorations are stored until next year, and you are able to start fresh! 

However, there is a little magic that comes with holiday decorations, I always feel like my house seems cozier during the Holidays.  I want to keep that feeling throughout the entire Winter season so I am going to share a few tips on how I keep my house cozy and warm!

1.  Add Pillows - Adding a pillow or two to your favorite chair or couch is a great way to add a little softness to a space, and are really comfortable!  Added bonus:  You are prepared for any impromptu pillow fights! 

2.  Grab a Blanket - Using a blanket during the cold months isn't just great for your heating bill, they create a soft, cozy and inviting space.  Also, fort making is allowed!

3.  Use low lights - Don't turn on the overhead lights, choose the side lamps, candles (real or faux), or string lights instead.  Soft lighting creates that cozy homey mood that you're looking for!

4.  Make a Hot Beverage - Warm drinks like coffee, tea, and hot cocoa are always my go to beverages when it's cold outside and I want to snuggle up with a good book or movie!

5.  Scented Candles or Melted Wax - Plug in your Scentsy or light some scented candles.  I love that I can make my house smell like vanilla or sugar cookies without having to bake!

There you have it - 5 simple tips to create a cozy home!  How do you keep your home feeling cozy and warm in the short cold winter months?

Party Lighting - High and Low Light

Just like with music, lighting is a vital part of a party’s atmosphere.  Bright stage lights would be weird during an intimate date night dinner at home…. and low lights would be just as awkward during a large birthday party. 

Major lighting changes are hard to make with out buying new lamps, or re-wiring light switches to dimmer switchs (although dimmer switches are REALLY COOL!).  However, you can certainly alter the mood of the room with a few minor changes….

To create low light:

• Put a thin scarf over lamps to darken the light (Possible fire hazard, so please only do this with CFLs or LEDs, they do not get hot!)
• Use candles, or flameless candles around your event’s area to give light, but not bright bold light.
• Use side lamps, rather than over head lights, this way lighting is coming from the side, and not from over head.
• Keep colors of décor darker.

To create “high” light:

• If it’s a sunny day, open up all the blinds, curtains, and window treatments that you can! Its FREE light!!
• Use White Light bulbs, it creates a “brighter” feel
• Use bright colors or white for décor colors, they won’t take away from the “bright light”

Note:  I tried SO HARD to get pictures of lighting for this post, however I totally failed!  Here is what happened: