With the winter chill settling in, many of us begin to retreat to places and spaces of comfort. Whether it’s your favourite intimate restaurant or your own humble abode, we’re all about getting your cosy on during this time of year. Lucky for us, we’ve seen a rise in cosy public spaces; with more breweries, restaurants and shops opting for design choices that mimic living room-esque intimate social spaces, cosy has become the new cool.
While we love this transition, nothing beats the warmth of your own home. If the lockdown gave us anything, it’s the reminder to be more intentional when curating a space. According to the BBC, back in 2021, Pinterest declared one of its top trends to be “cocooning,” a trend that we’re still seeing in the fashion and home design market. In preparation for proper cocooning this season, here are a few tips to guide us through the essentials for cosy living, and achieving the ultimate design snuggle.
While the immediate mental picture that the words “cosy” or “comfort” evoke this time of year involves a fire, homemade goodies, and maybe a garland or two, this doesn’t have to be the case. The fact of the matter is that comfort is an incredibly individual experience, one that’s built upon core memories, past traditions and your unique personal taste. Some people love ultra-modern homes with high-gloss finishes, minimal décor, hard materials and plenty of glass. Others might find this environment sterile and prefer more rustic materials, a warm colour palette, and plenty of decorative elements. As such, the primary source of comfort in a home is being truly in touch with how you want to live (see: unwind) and what makes you feel at home. Your retreat should feel just like you, imparting a sense of comfort, presence, and appreciation. Around the holidays, it’s a location for conviviality to flourish between neighbours, friends and family.
One of the biggest oversights is that homeowners (and even some designers) make is not layering in all of the finishing details. Frequently, a great deal of thought, detail and money is spent on the design and construction of the home, with the furniture becoming a bit of an afterthought. At times, homeowners can rush to utilize whatever funds are left to pull together the space, missing the opportunity to be thoughtful about the end product. We get it, it’s hard not to get excited when bringing a project over the finish line. At this point, it’s also common to experience a level of decision fatigue with the accessories and styling can be the lowest on the priority list. However, it’s these final details that ultimately make a space feel cohesive, inviting and put it together. To create an element of comfort, I always suggest focusing on plush pillows, cosy throws, spicey (or sweet) smelling candles and soft lighting to help create a relaxing escape.
When it comes to making a space more inviting, the materiality of the surrounding space matters more than you might realize. items like flooring and paint can have a big impact on how a space feels. Once you do this, you’ll pick up on the shift—it just feels better. Here are some good rules of thumb to follow when picking styling items. Cool, hard materials tend to lean towards a more industrial (and sometimes sterile) vibe and need to be warmed up with soft materials. For example, a loft with concrete floors needs a plush, textural rug to zhuzh it up. The same is true for fabrics on upholstered goods.For example, a down-filled sectional with a velvet fabric will feel much more inviting than a firm sofa covered in a stiff leather. From a styling standpoint, layering different textures, patterns and types of goods will create a space that feels more relaxed and lived-in, which is what we’re going for!
Now, many ask the question, “Do I need a fireplace in my home for it to feel warm during the wintertime?” I hope that if you’ve made it this far, then you can guess what my answer will be. A fireplace is definitely a value-add (one that makes the home extra toasty) when it comes to creating an inimitable ambiance within the home. Nothing beats the glow and warmth that one brings, not to mention the audible crackle and nostalgic charm that a wood-burning fireplace can ignite for all of us. For those who don’t have a fireplace, whether you’re in a smaller home or new condo, clusters of candles, luxe drapery and warm, varied lighting can be used to really soften a space in a similar context.
Are you ready to curl up to a good book yet? (I might be a little biased, but I’ve heard “Not That Likeable: And Other Stories I Told Myself” is the perfect cosy read.)
Amanda’s top tips/top brands for the ultimate cosy
My favourite sites for textural, sculptural decor and cosy accessories:
Salt by the Caza Project -
Montana Labelle
My favourite throw (which also generally goes on sale each year):
Restoration Hardware - 55 gram
Cashmere Throw
A favourite rug, while not as soft underfoot, really warms up the space with weight + texture:
Ikea - Lohals Rug
CB2 - Cozy Velvet Pillow