Whether you’re curling up with a good book after a fun-filled day or hosting friends for a laid-back night in, creating a cozy home starts with intentional design choices. From lighting to color palettes, here are 5 simple ways to make your space feel relaxed, comfortable, and totally you.
Lighting Is Everything
Harsh overhead lighting can make even the most beautifully decorated room feel cold and uninviting. The secret? Layer softer light sources throughout your space. This includes table lamps, floor lamps, and sconces. Be sure to use soft white or warm white bulbs!
✨Bonus tip: Candles work wonders for a cozy evening vibe. Use real ones for that flickering glow (and amazing scent), or opt for flameless candles for a low-maintenance, pet-safe option.
Add Some Greenery
Plants breathe life into a space—literally and aesthetically. Whether you go with real or fake plants, a little greenery goes a long way in creating a fresh, cozy home.
Not sure where to start? Look for low-maintenance options like pothos, snake plants, or ZZ plants that thrive on a little neglect (we’ve all been there).
✨ Bonus tip: Pet parents, we’ve got you. Take a look at these pet-friendly house plants to get started.
Embrace a Warm Color Palette
Cold, gray color palettes have been out for a while, and natural, earthy hues are here to stay (forever, we hope). Think warm neutrals, terracotta, sage green, and soft taupes to make your space feel inviting.
You don’t need to repaint your whole house, either. A few warm-toned throw pillows, a chunky knit blanket, or a textured area rug can work wonders.
✨ Bonus tip: If you’re color-shy, start with warm-toned decor in one room (like your bedroom or living room) before going all in.
Choose Natural Materials
When possible, opt for natural textures like wood, rattan, or linen. A wooden coffee table, a woven basket, or an ornate rug adds instant character and warmth to any room. These materials also tend to be timeless, which means your space will stay stylish season after season.
✨ Bonus tip: Mixing materials (like pairing a sleek metal lamp with a wooden side table) adds contrast and makes a room more visually appealing.
Hang Art and Photos You Love
Your home should tell your story, and nothing says you like art and family photos you genuinely love. According to Kathryn Cannon, our VP of Design, the key to making large walls feel intentional (not empty!) is to hang larger pieces of art to fill up the space.
✨ Bonus tip: Hanging art above furniture? Leave at least 6 inches between the top of your furniture and the bottom of the artwork to keep things balanced.
Visit Our Design Studio and Start Designing Your Cozy New Home
What if you could bring your vision to life from the very beginning? At Kerley Family Homes, we offer something most builders don’t: a full Design Studio experience.
From cabinets and countertops to paint colors and kitchen tiles, you’ll have the chance to personalize every detail of your new home with guidance from our expert design team.
Start creating the cozy home of your dreams today.
Related: How to Prepare for Your Kerley Design Studio Appointment
