The air is brisk, the trees lost their leaves, and the sky is a cool winter gray. It’s the season where we crave warmth and snuggling on our sofa with a huge mug of tea or hot cocoa with extra marshmallows. Aside from physical warmth, our homes can have visual warmth which can make our homes feel more inviting. In today’s post, I will be sharing my 10 ways to make your home warm and inviting.
10 ways to make your home warm and inviting
Design by AMA Designs & Interiors. Photography by Mariah Texidor
Tactile Fabrics - Incorporating high-textured fabrics into your room instantly invites people into the room to embrace. Tactile fabrics create visual interest and welcome others into the room to touch. Some of my favorite fabric textures are plush velvet, chunky knit wool, soft cashmere, knotted linen, and anything soft to the touch. Try mixing materials together by layering refined and heavy textures together. For example, pop a furry pillow on a velvet chair for the ultimate texture combo.
Lighting - Lighting is crucial when it comes to setting the mood of any room. Use combinations of table lamps and glow from candle lights to create a warm ambiance. If you have overhead lighting, put those lights on dimmers so you are in control of the level of brightness. Overhead lighting in social or intimate environments can create harsh shadows on our face, which isn’t the most flattering. Have you ever shined a flashlight upward/downward on your face? Same concept and not a good look. It’s best to have light shining at you which is why eye-level lighting from table lamps are a great for these type of settings.
Warm Scents - Scent plays a big role in how we feel based on design psychology. Think of the concept of aromatherapy. Scent triggers certain emotions and specific scents that make your home warm and inviting. For me, I love cinnamon spice, apple, vanilla scents, or any “baked-goods” scent in the winter. Whether you light a candle or use an oil-diffuser, this is a great way to create an inviting environment. After all, who wouldn’t walk into a room that smelled like freshly baked apple pie?
Display Blankets - There is something about seeing blankets displayed that instantly make a home feel more snuggle-worthy. Display throw blankets in a wicker basket that are within arms reach of seating. Bonus points if the blanket is super textural too (Reference Tip #1).
Warm Colors - If you want to make your home warm and inviting, it’s only natural to incorporate warm colors into the room. In design psychology, color influences our mood significantly. To create a sense of warmth, incorporate warm colors such as red, orange, and yellows into your room.
Layering Materials - Layering different materials creates visual interest and a more inviting home. Layering window treatments is my favorite example of how to layer materials. Use a grass shade as your under-treatment and soft sheer curtains on top. I love to mix soft and natural elements. For flooring, layer a soft cowhide rug on top of a sisal to introduce color, pattern, and another texture.
Design by AMA Designs & Interiors. Photography by Mariah Texidor
7. Bring the Outdoors In - Bringing nature inside is a great way to make your home feel warm and inviting. Wood has so much texture and depth which adds warmth to any space. You can bring nature indoors by putting branches in a decorative vase or stacking fire logs next to a fireplace. Another way to bring the outdoors in would be, of course, adding greenery into your home whether it be real or faux. Also, it doesn’t necessarily need to be “real” elements from nature. In feng shui and design psychology, certain colors represent nature and earth, such as green and brown.
8. Cozy Corners - Don't leave dead corners in your home. Create cozy corners and inviting vignettes instead. Spruce up an empty corner with a small-scale chair, a side-table, footstool, and floor lamp to create a cozy reading nook or haven to retreat to.
9. Hot Drink Station- Keep warm drinks on demand by incorporating a drink station into your kitchen. Easy access to a warm drink of choice will entice you and your guests to make a cup and then snuggle up. Keep your station simple and organized by displaying everything on a tray such as mugs and putting loose leaf tea or coffee grinds in clear jars.
10. Artwork & Photography - If you have an abundance of blank walls, consider filling empty space with artwork or photography. Dressing your walls are just as important as accessorizing other areas of your room. It is another way to add color and character to your space too!
