Hello Design Lovers! 
As we approach the new year (I still can’t believe 2021 is coming to an end), that means even more cold weather is upon us…at least where I am in New Jersey. In winter, I tend to hibernate and not go out as much as I would in the warmer months. I’m sure many of you who live in cold climates know exactly what I’m talking about. When we stay home, we want our homes to feel cozy and warm during the cold winter. We tend to stay in on weekends, watch movies, cuddle by the fireplace, order food in with friends and binge some shows on Netflix. So I’ve come up with 5 ways to make your living room or family room feel more cozy this winter!
1. Add texture with pillows and throw blankets
Nothing screams cozy the way pillows and throw blankets do! Snuggling up under blankets and pillows with your friends and/or family on the sofa in front of the fireplace or watching a movie is the definition of cozy. You don’t have to have a ton of pillows for every season. Most of us don’t have the space to store them all! Switch up your pillows during the winter for some warm tones with various textures by swapping pillow covers. This is a great way to save on space since you can store the removable pillow covers easily! Adding some chunky throw blankets that vary in texture from your pillows will give your living room that cozy feel.
Source: Amber Interiors
2. Layer rugs
Layering rugs of various textures, colors, and sizes in your living room adds another dimension to make your living room feel cozy. Make sure not to go too crazy with pairing up two rugs that compete with each other in colors. You can start out with a natural material rug such as a jute in a larger size than the patterned rug you will be layering on top of it. Make sure at least the front legs of your sofa and chairs are able to go underneath the larger rug which makes for a more complete look. The next rug can be about a foot or two smaller than the larger rug. Go for some sort of pattern with various colors which will differ from the jute rug. This layered look will be inviting and cozy!
Source: Birchwood Bungalow Design
3. Bring in some greenery using plants
Nothing brings a space together the way plants do. Adding greenery to any room makes it feel warm and put together as you bring in a little bit of nature into the space. You don’t have to go over the top with your plants but a few here and there will definitely make a world of difference in transforming your living room. They’ll make your living room feel more cozy.
TIP: If you don’t have a green thumb, opt for some faux plants. I’ve seen some pretty realistic faux plants!
4. Soft, warm light
Bright, cool lighting can make for a very uninviting space. The room can feel very cold, similar to walking into a hospital or an office building (at least that’s the impression I get!). Try going for some soft, warm light tones which will make you want to curl up on the sofa with your blanket and rest your head on your pillows for a relaxing night of Netflix. Now you don’t have to go too yellow with the lighting, unless you like more of the yellow hue. I know color temperatures can be very confusing but simply put, the larger the number, the cooler and more blue the tones get. I personally prefer anywhere from around 2800-3000 Kelvin, giving the space some warm light. Check out the color temperature scale for reference.
5. Surround the room with candles
My personal favorite: candles. Nothing beats coming home after a long day of work or activities, changing into comfy clothes, dimming the lights, and lighting some candles for a relaxing night in. Candles really set the mood and will of course make your living room smell heavenly! I love the crackling sound of wood wick candles. It’s just so relaxing and soothing.
Source: 1502 Candle Co.
I hope these tips sparked some inspo to get your living room feeling cozy this winter. Make your space feel comfortable for you by going with whatever design choices feel right. Pick out some pieces that you are drawn to and that you will enjoy for years to come. These tips don’t have to apply just for winter. You can make your living room feel cozy throughout the entire year. Have fun with this!