Just recently I moved to a new apartment. But I didn’t experience the expected joy from the move. I could sit in my favorite Starbucks until the night: work, relax and be inspired. It was more comfortable there than at home. When I felt that I was already 80% coffee, I realized that it was time to return home.
I wondered why I don’t feel drawn to it? Why is it more comfortable in a noisy coffee shop? And in general, what little things make a house a home? And here are the recipes for a cozy home that cannot be exchanged for a cafe. Tested by personal experience.
Tip #1: Ask questions
Well, I decided to make changes in the house. But where to start? Read a smart book, magazine, watch design tutorials on the Internet, or maybe hire a designer? But this would not make the apartment any more comfortable, because everyone has their own concept of “comfort”. It's something personal.
I started with something simple - with questions: “What kind of atmosphere in the house do I generally need? How would I like to feel in each room?”
Don’t rush to throw out old furniture and buy new furniture. The apartment will not become more comfortable. Ask the question: what do YOU want? And for each room, choose at least three symbol words that describe the atmosphere you want to create.
A very cool book on this topic “Breathe Freely”. Makes it clear that before you start global changes in your home, you should first understand yourself.
When everyone is comfortable: refined Art Deco and democratic Scandi
Artdeco and Scandi are made for life. Refined, aesthetic Art Deco is an example of cold decorativeness, reconciling the tastes of men and women. Clean lines and restrained colors are perfectly complemented by rich decor, including stucco molding, stained glass, crystal chandeliers, mirrors, and art objects.
Discreet Art Deco interior with luxurious decor
Expensive fabrics and Art Deco draperies allow you to create real comfort and an atmosphere of refined luxury in your home. Such a room is easy to zone, highlighting a comfortable workplace, a corner for privacy, and a reception area.
Art Deco style space is easy to zone
Scandi has evolved from the rich Scandinavian style with an abundance of details from solid wood, natural stone and metal to minimalist interiors made from inexpensive materials, but enriched with a magnificent range of colors and an abundance of designer decor, which help to create coziness in the house, filling it with warmth and personality.
Discreet Scandinavian style
This style welcomes various handmade masterpieces and unique home textiles. And in terms of ease of maintaining order, Scandi can compete even with high-tech.
Home textiles will complement the discreet Scandinavian style
Which design trends should be considered the most comfortable? Perhaps Provence, Scandi, Art Deco and shabby chic. But this is a purely subjective opinion, and every supporter of loft or high-tech can refute it, maximizing the potential of these avant-garde styles.
Tip #2: Get rid of clutter
My comfort was hampered by things that I haven’t used for a long time, but it’s a pity to throw them away (“it’s a memory”). I'm sure everyone has encountered this problem (our balconies are a temple of memory for unnecessary items). Junk accumulates and collects dust over the years. And old, no longer needed, memories prevent you from enjoying the present. By the way, we have a separate article on the topic of unnecessary things and order in the house
Don’t be afraid to throw out jars, bottles, teabags, boxes - anything you haven’t used for a long time. Yes, these things were once needed, but the time has come for something truly important and new.
Cozy living room
You can create coziness in the living room by zoning the space into thematic areas, arranging furniture and accessories. A warm environment will be created by a medium-pile carpet, knitted covers for chairs and armchairs, bright blankets, designer pillows, poufs. It is important to complement the interior with large ceramic vessels, wicker baskets for books, art paintings or mosaic glass collages.
A fireplace (with a chimney or electric) will add comfort to the living room. In the reading area with an armchair, it is important to install a floor lamp or fabric lampshade. Dark colors in the decoration of walls and ceilings are not recommended. Light colors are preferred (white, sand, olive, pink).
Tip #3: Pay attention to the light
I recently traveled around Sweden and noticed one detail: in each apartment there was a paper star-lamp on the windowsill. And the rooms and balconies were decorated with lights. The atmosphere of home comfort and warmth reached me even on the street. I then thought: “This is cool! But just little lights.” We treat light in the house superficially: we hung a chandelier and, at best, installed a floor lamp. And light is a powerful comforter that creates an atmosphere.
Highlight each area in the room with light, avoid dark corners. Place a floor lamp near the chair in which you like to read, hang a sconce over your favorite painting or photo, don’t forget about a table lamp and a chandelier with soft light. And, of course, candles - warm and lively light.
Coziness’s best friend is a dimmer: install it on all lighting sources for the desired atmosphere.
Interior design with unusual things
There are many ways to create home comfort. The interior is one of the tools to achieve it. It should not resemble a sterile hotel room, but reflect the personality of the owner. Therefore, the decor of the apartment will be perfectly complemented by photographs and things made with your own hands.
Family heirlooms and vintage items will create coziness in the apartment. At the same time, it is important to remember the balance of beauty and functionality and not clutter the apartment with useless items. Experts recommend using the rule: when you buy, think: why? Brought it into the house - think about what a new product can replace in the house.
Tip #4: Don't underestimate the importance of the sofa
The sofa is an interesting thing. It’s like an eminence grise: it doesn’t seem to be the basis of the interior, but it influences everything in the room. The sofa carries a great emotional load - it is a place where you can relax and unwind, chat with family and friends, wrap yourself in a blanket and watch TV with your significant other. Take his choice seriously.
“Well, I’ll buy something cheap for the first time,” I mistakenly thought. Mine was uncomfortable and hard, and it broke quickly. I had to go in search of something new and high quality to make the apartment comfortable.
Quality is expressed in beauty and convenience. When choosing, look at the neatness of the seams, the coating, and most importantly, the filler. The ideal filling is down with a thin layer of foam.
A minute of theory: LPPU or latex polyurethane foam is the ideal solution. Unlike simple foam rubber, the bubbles in which burst under load (this causes the coating to sag and lose its shape), latex does not suffer from use, but returns to its original position every time. You can check this by sitting on the couch. See how quickly it gets back into shape. Another surefire way is to ask a consultant or ask to look and touch the layer.
Don't skimp on a decent sofa - this is your comfort. We even have a whole article about this: “How to choose a good sofa?” And how to make it more comfortable - see below.
Furniture cocktail
Mixed furniture assembled from different sets looks homey. There is a design saying: “If you don’t want your home to look like a furniture store, don’t buy all your furniture from one store.” It is unlikely that a furniture store is a model of comfort.
By mixing items from different collections, designers create truly cozy interiors. So, you can refuse to buy a ready-made set of upholstered furniture with a sofa, armchairs and ottomans, and buy everything separately - in different colors and even, possibly, from different materials. For example, a plain leather chair and a pair of striped or floral ottomans will go perfectly with a checkered sofa.
It is not necessary that the coffee table matches the furniture wall and TV stand. It’s beautiful, of course, when the main part of the hard furniture is made in a single color. However, some, especially small items (for example, a coffee table, console, cabinet) may differ. This is what makes the house different from a store.
Tip #5: Use soft graces: blankets and pillows
The blanket often travels from room to room on my shoulders. When I want warmth, I take it out from the depths of the closet. But it can warm not only people, but also give warmth to an entire room.
Blankets thrown over the back of a chair or the armrest of a sofa seem to hint that they live in the room and use it. Cashmere, wool, cotton, checkered or striped. With them, any interior will be more homely and lively.
And the Pillows! To be honest, I only had one. She lay on the bed, covered with a blanket, and performed one function - she transported her to the world of dreams. Pillows can update and even change the interior. Place one on the armchair and several on the sofa, and the room will look new!
But it's not that simple. In addition to beauty, convenience is also important here. If family members, friends, guests, when sitting down, move or remove the pillows, then there is no question of any comfort here. No matter how luxurious the pillow is, first of all it should invite you to sit down.
Here are a couple of lifehacks:
- pay attention to down pillows - they are the softest;
- if you doubt the size of the pillow, make a larger error;
- large square ones for sofas (35-50 cm), rectangular ones for armchairs (30x40 or 40x65);
- the color of the pillow must match at least three things in the interior (curtains, carpet, wallpaper, etc.)
Here is the formula for cozying a sofa = a blanket on the back or armrest + 2 identical pillows in the corners + a rectangular pillow in the center. (More details about the number, location and size of pillows in our article)
There are many useful tips on soft coziness in the book “Home Sweet Home”. I read it in one evening and was inspired to buy new pillows!
Creating an atmosphere of peace and relaxation in the bedroom
It is especially important to create comfort and peace in the bedroom. This is why it is worth buying furniture made from natural materials. To create a romantic and relaxing atmosphere, the bedroom is decorated with flowers. Please note that placing flowers in the room is better than having no scent.
The wardrobe should provide a separate area that will not touch the seating area. It is advisable that the lighting in the bedroom be diffused.
This is very good if the room is illuminated from several sources. On the one hand, this will make it brighter, and on the other hand, it will add style to the decor. And, of course, to create comfort, it’s good to put a rug on the floor.
Among the colors in the bedroom decor should be the colors of the beds. Light blue, blue, pink, beige and soft green colors.
Tip No. 6: the house should have its own aroma
The first thing people notice when entering a house is its aroma. It remains in the memory and creates the first impression. It is unlikely that you will be comfortable in an apartment with the smell of dampness or mold.
This does not mean that you need to buy a bunch of fragrances and spray them where it smells unpleasant. The point is that you should create a basic aroma that is always in the apartment - you feel it as soon as you walk home from the street.
You can use the following:
- aromatic mixture
Easy to use sachet. Sachets are small pillows or bags filled with natural materials: petals, twigs, herbs, spices.
Such bags are placed throughout the apartment, and always in the hallway, so that a pleasant aroma greets you after a hard day at work.
- aroma candles
Depending on the season or our mood, we can change the smells of our home using aromatherapy candles. They enliven any room and are appropriate almost anywhere, except for the dining table - there is a place for the smell of delicious food.
Be careful. Candles made from cheap and low-quality materials will not give you relaxation, but a headache. Choose from soy or coconut waxes with natural ingredients.
Create comfort in the hallway
The general impression of the house is formed from the entrance area. Create comfort in the hallway with the help of well-chosen furniture; compact cabinets, shoe stands, and elegant wrought-iron clothes hangers are optimal. Hanging shelves and places to store shoes combined with stands are comfortable to use.
Visually expands the space of headsets with several niches. Outerwear should be stored in a closed compartment for an aesthetic appearance of the space.
A narrow, elongated corridor will help to visually expand the combination of light and dark colors:
- white and black;
- dark brown and sand;
- brown and muted pink.
Tip #7: Use plants
Have you noticed how a room transforms when there is a beautiful bouquet in it? It’s somehow immediately fresh, joyful, cozy. But for most, such transformations in the interior happen on holidays, when flowers migrate into the house as a gift.
I love fresh flowers. They invigorate the room and create a fresh aroma. Therefore, I made it a rule to keep them at home all year round (you can read about how to choose flowers here). Nobody says that you need to buy huge gift bouquets. A couple of tulips, peonies or ordinary daisies - and the room becomes more comfortable.
Another option is indoor plants. They make the rooms look so homely and well-groomed. Choose pretty and fragrant plants: jasmine, narcissus, amaryllis, geranium, citrus fruits.
Flowers
They bring brightness and natural beauty to the room, adding life no worse than pets. Even an office with 1-2 pots with violets peeking out from it no longer feels cold and strict. It is only important that the flowers are alive. If buying bouquets every week for all rooms is very expensive, try decorating the house with more budget-friendly “greenery”.
Mom’s geraniums and grandmother’s violets are what everyone associates with a cozy apartment. For connoisseurs of more refined flowers, spray roses or unpretentious orchids are suitable. If you want a simple ornamental plant, take a closer look at aloe, dracaena or chlorophytum.
Tip #8: Invest a piece of yourself
Just imagine, after a long renovation, you enter an apartment. The house is unrecognizable, everything is stylish and new. Walk around the apartment as if through a museum, looking at every detail. Sit down on a chic and soft sofa and look around. Everything seems beautiful, but you feel uncomfortable. And all because all that remains is to add yourself.
Photographs, paintings, books, memorabilia tell our story. With the proper arrangement of these items, you get a living house that tells the story of the owner.
We make the home ours through:
Books
This is what we love and admire. Through books we are able to talk about our hobbies without even naming them. Therefore, there is no need to put them in boxes and store them in a closet.
You can make stacks of books on the floor. You can place them on shelves, diluting them with candles, figurines, photographs.
Photo
I love lively, random shots. They accurately convey our emotions and state at the moment of the past. These are the kind of photos that should be stored not on your smartphone, but on the walls of your apartment. Read how to do this here
Print, hang or place anywhere in the room. Fill it with emotions.
Paintings and drawings
You surround yourself with creativity that inspires.
Hang pictures on the wall or simply place them on a table, mantel, or lean against the wall to create a carefree atmosphere. (For information on how to do this, see the article “How to hang pictures without headaches?”)
Small details
Comfort, as we know, is found in the little things. It is necessary to create a special atmosphere that can influence the senses and bring a feeling of comfort.
Lighting. It should be soft, warm, but bright enough. Make sure that there is no dust on the chandeliers, since it conceals up to 70% of the light.
Tip To make the lampshades sparkle, wash them in cold water and vinegar and, without wiping, let them dry. The effect is simply amazing!
In the evening, instead of a common source, it is better to turn on a small elegant sconce in the bedroom. In a family room, this could be a row of small lamps that create soft light without leaving dark corners.
Bed dress. Fluffy blankets and soft pillows bring special comfort and the unique warmth of home comfort. They must be clean, beautiful and in harmony with the rest of the interior. It is advisable to choose warm shades, but bright striped or checkered bedspreads will not spoil the interior.
Window decor. Curtains and lambrequins can breathe soul into even the most discreet room. Correctly selected curtains solve several problems at once: they refresh the atmosphere, mask imperfections (for example, old window frames) and serve as the finishing touch that gives a sense of style.
An overly spacious, “empty”, cold room can easily be made cozy with the help of heavy curtains in sand and terracotta shades, and a small and cramped room will be “expanded” by light organza. Thread curtains matched to the tone of the walls or furniture will serve well as an interior or zone partition.
Smell. The first thing a person notices, even before looking around the hallway, is the smell. General cleaning and various fragrances, industrial or homemade, combat the unpleasant odor:
- incense,
- candles,
- essential oils,
- sachets filled with coffee, dried herbs, orange zest or other,
- fumigation,
- aerosols;
- blooming indoor plants or fresh flowers in vases.
Relaxing notes, as well as those tuning the theme of love, are suitable for the bedroom: sandalwood, rose, lavender, patchouli, strawberry, chocolate.
For the office - productivity-enhancing: citrus fruits, spruce, pine, mint, aloe vera.
For children - mainly fruit, but it is important not to overdo it here, since aromatic substances can cause allergies.
The kitchen should be excluded, since the best aromas there are the smells of fresh food.
What to add to the interior
A fireplace - real or electric - is a symbol of comfort and home! What could be more pleasant than sitting on a rainy evening with a cup of aromatic tea by a warm fireplace? Favorite books placed on a shelf and a rocking chair with a fluffy blanket will complement the idyllic atmosphere of comfort and homely warmth.
Living plants can instantly enliven even the most modest room, create a special mood and decorate any interior. Take the choice of indoor plants responsibly, think through everything down to the smallest detail: the color and design of flower pots, the height of the plants, their design.
An abundance of flowers is not always appropriate; it is much better if it is just a few well-groomed plants, effectively arranged in the room. It is better to avoid creeping and climbing plants: they often look sloppy and visually burden the interior.
Fresh, aromatic, bright fruits are not only incredibly healthy, but can also effectively decorate the interior of a kitchen or living room. Place them in a beautiful vase and place them on your coffee table or kitchen table.
Ordinary radio also carries a piece of comfort and a unique “spirit”. Daily getting ready for work and other routine tasks will be brightened up by the unobtrusive sound of your favorite songs and turn boring actions into an interesting, lively ritual.
Fresh homemade baked goods will decorate any interior. Delicate, airy cakes in a crystal vase and a coffee set are a great combination for a living room with family and friends. Pies, muffins, homemade buns - a treasure trove of home comfort in the kitchen! Aromas for the whole house, appetizing appearance and beautiful presentation will create a great mood for the household.
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Bright, colorful pots will help enliven even the most cramped and gloomy kitchen. For rooms in a modern high-tech or loft style, monochromatic sets, for example, metal ones with transparent lids, are more appropriate. Achieve unity of style decisions: this is the surest way to bring comfort.
Give up the scattering of colored stickers on the refrigerator or dressing table! It is so tasteless and ugly that it automatically destroys harmony. And the worst thing is the corners and edges, which over time begin to peel off and become covered with a black layer.
Fridge magnets are a slippery topic. The ideal option is stylization and composition. Or these are expensive single-color magnets that can really decorate a modern interior. Or high-quality, but colorful elements, suitable for a setting in a “folk” style (Russian hut - patchwork blankets and bedspreads, bright painting of festive wooden dishes, fancy displays, like a bread bin-monastery). In the latter case, the room should be spacious and bright, otherwise the abundance of details and colors will turn it into a cluttered warehouse.
A lot of wires from household and office equipment literally spoil the space. They are put away behind tables, cabinets, and cabinets. Long broaches are covered in plinths with channels or in boxes. It is important to move the furniture at least once a month, lift the tangle of wires and wash away dust and moss from the “secret”.
Tip #9: Add glitter
Recently I discovered the magic of decorative mirrors. Walking between showrooms at IKEA, I noticed one living room. It was airy, fresh and bright. And all because of decorative mirrors in unusual frames. They multiplied the light reflected in them from the chandeliers so much that the room became very lively. The diffused light illuminated the dark corners of the space and it turned out very cozy.
Do you understand what I mean? Mirrors won't hurt. Hang them on the wall instead of a picture, place them above the fireplace or next to some piece of furniture, place them between a couple of windows, above a sofa, above any shelf or dressing table.
Lighting
Bright white light evokes an office feel, while lots of small yellow lights create the illusion of warmth. Designers advise choosing closed floor or table lamps instead of classic ceiling lamps. It is advisable that they have a brightness control - a dimmer.
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Tip #10: fireplace!
If there is a fireplace in the house, then 50% of the cozy plan has been completed! Because fire is warmth, calm, peace, comfort. An alternative is an electric fireplace: there is no need to add firewood, it is impossible to get burned, there is heat. In general, if you have the opportunity to purchase this magical thing, don’t hesitate!
These points helped me bring the apartment closer to the cozy ideal. But there is another important detail - the comfort in the house is created by its people.
Your comfort is you and the emotions you bring. Positive or negative, they charge every corner.
And here is the ideal formula for comfort: spiritual gatherings with family and friends + love + 10 tips listed above, and you will never trade your home for a noisy cafe.
Organization of a cozy nursery
Comfort in a children's room is created through color schemes, furniture, and decor.
To create a comfortable atmosphere, bulky furniture and a large number of items are not used. It is enough to install a bed, a closed wardrobe, a cabinet, a table, wall shelves, and structures for storing toys. Rugs with images of fairy-tale characters and holders for textiles in the form of toys will add coziness to the room. You can place illustrations of cartoon characters on the walls.
Recommended light colors for decoration:
- light green;
- golden;
- light pink;
- citric;
- lilac.
Spend 10 minutes cleaning every evening
It is best to establish a general rule stating that all household members coordinately organize a “marafet” at a certain time, for example, at seven in the evening. Time – 600 seconds, work for results. The senior or “orderly” runs a handkerchief over the places where dirt and dust are likely to accumulate and makes a verdict. Those who have distinguished themselves receive praise and encouragement.
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Kitchen ideas
We demand a lot from our kitchens. This most popular room must be both a highly functional culinary center and a cozy relaxation spot. Try the following ideas to make your kitchen feel more spacious and lively.
1. Most kitchens are littered with kilograms of unnecessary utensils, dishes, canned food and cereals. How often do you use a waffle iron? Is there a use for those dessert plates your co-workers gave you for your birthday? What about the cans in the very corner of the refrigerator? Will they ever become your lunch? Get rid of everything unnecessary.
2. Follow the French rule mise en place (“everything is in its place”), and then you won’t have to look for the right thing every time.
3. Keep everything in sight and at arm's length. You don't have to go on an archaeological dig to get your hands on your favorite ladle. Hang pots and pans on hooks, kitchen utensils on a metal string, and keep knives on a special stand (so they don’t touch and become dull).
4. Lids always get lost. Give them a special place by grouping them and you will always know where they are.
5. Create kitchen areas. Just as sellers group products by theme, you should designate areas in the kitchen for making coffee, food, and so on.
6. Trays can be used throughout the house, but they look best near the sink and stove. They are very practical (they can be carried and easily washed) and aesthetically pleasing (simple objects grouped on a tray turn into a still life in the style of the painter Giorgio Morandi).
7. Cutlery drawers are a model of order, but original systems are sometimes no worse. You can use a chest for stationery, a tray with high sides, open containers (any metal or ceramic containers), pockets (you can sew them yourself). Choose your option and the method that suits you best.
8. Conquer your closet space by dividing it into sections. Measure what you're storing and create compartments that are large enough to keep things from falling around or getting tangled. You can buy ready-made, plug-in cabinet dividers from stores like IKEA or the Container Store.
9. A clutter of boxes of breakfast cereals, bags of flour and sugar, and plastic packages of beans and pasta prevents the efficient use of cabinets. Stop putting up with this. Be like chefs and scientists.
This process is called decanting. Pour vegetable oil, hand soap and other liquids into beautiful bottles, and pour cereals and pastas into sealable jars. Not only will you have more shelf space, but you'll be able to see what you have and organize it all nicely.
