A Cozy Home in the Midst of Winter

Snow has finally settled on the ground and although the cold weather waited a bit this season, it's here.  But the best part about winter is that cozy feeling you have when you're sitting by the fire or bundled up with your favorite slippers and blanket.  So we've come up with a few ways to make your home feel just a little bit cozier in this brisk weather.

1. Curtains, floor to ceiling

Curtains can breath new life into a space and they're great for heat efficiency.  Fun or traditional fabrics and lighter colors will really open up a room that may seem a little too dark during these short hours of sunlight.  Also opening up the curtains to let that sunlight in and then drawing them as the sun goes down will really help in keeping a warm home.

2. Dressing up the fireplace

If you always leave the same knick-knacks, pictures, or candles on your mantle piece maybe it's time to switch it up.  Change the photos on top of the mantle, or add a nice vase with a bouquet of flowers. There's no doubt you'll be using the fireplace this season, so why not make it the center of attention? Make it something to look at as you warm up after a day at work.

3. Show off your books

A sparse space doesn't make for cozy living, but a cluttered space certainly doesn't help either.  A quick fix to this is putting out some of your favorite books stacked neatly on a few shelves around the house. It can fill up a room quickly and makes your home feel like yours.  Plus if you're ever looking for a good read, it's right there.  Even leave out some nice coffee table books for a topic of conversation when you're entertaining.

4. Soft and warm area rugs

As gorgeous as hardwood floors can be, they do get a bit chilly in the winter.  A quick solution is to add some area rugs around the home.  You don't need to keep them out year-round if you don't want to, but rolling them out for a few months can certainly be very comforting when the wind is howling and the snow is falling. Putting out a rug in the living room or dining room will warm up any cool room.