When I came to the USA, we didn’t have Indian TV channels. All I had was American TV shows. One of the shows I admired a lot was Katie Brown’s workshop. I liked it for several reasons. One of the reasons was inexpensive and imaginative projects in a very cozy setting. The show had no fancy studio setup, no extra glamor. Everything seemed very simple. One of her staple sentences was – Keep it simple. Little touches can go a long way into making a house a home. I strongly believe in this notion.

Tell me something, has it ever happened to you that you go to a friend’s place for the first time, and you instantly feel at home? As you walk into their house, you feel the warmth and welcoming vibes. This feeling makes a house a home. Let’s talk about how to make your house a home and make it feel cozy and welcoming. 

Related article: 10 affordable home improvement ideas for the holiday season

9 tips to make your home feel cozy & welcoming!

• Pay attention to the entrance
• Make the best use of your photos
• Use pillows, curtains, and blankets
• Colors matter
• Don’t forget the guest restroom
• Make your home smell good
• Add natural elements
• Think out of the box
• Let it reflect your personality 

Pay attention to the entrance:

Before proceeding towards the living room, your entryway is the first place your guests or you step. It has to be inviting. No matter how wide or narrow your entrance is, make it stand out with some attractive wall pieces. Play around with colors. You can use a statement piece or keep it simple. The next point will give you some ideas about it.

Make the best use of your photos:

When displaying them, this is one of my favorite things to do. Pinterest has a ton of ideas for how to hang gallery walls artfully. I have decorated the foyer area wall with our family photos at our place. Sometimes, I group the images on a theme. It is a show-stopper for every guest. 

Use pillows, curtains, and blankets:

Adding curtains as per the season, changing the cushion cover occasionally, or adding a blanket on the sofa will change the look of the entire room or home. I have kept a couple of sets of cushion covers and curtains, which I keep rotating. Blackout or solid color curtains for summer, sheer curtains for winter, brocade cushion covers for Diwali, and printed covers for non-festive months.   

Colors matter:

Colors play a significant role in interior design. Color manifests how our brain and vision perceive different wavelengths of light. It evokes emotions and influences the perception of space. How do you feel when you enter a room with a white wall color? On the contrary, a red colored or yellow colored wall gives a different feel. Different colors can affect mood and behavior, with warm colors like red and orange creating a sense of coziness and energy. In contrast, cool colors like blue and green can promote calmness and relaxation. If you are a DIY person, think about creating an accent wall.

Related post: Home decoration ideas for small spaces

Don’t forget the guest restroom: 

While decorating our house guests, we pay close attention to decorating living rooms. But we overlook bathrooms. We should not underestimate the importance of clean and well-groomed guest bathrooms. Soothing room freshener, clean towels, and restroom essentials are a must. In addition, photo frames and a small plant will enhance the look and feel of the guest restroom.  

Make your home smell good:

A soothing scent can make anyone feel welcome. It can instantly change our mood. The best room freshener is our essence sticks. We don’t realize it, but the food smell lingers in our house for a long time. And when someone comes from outside, that’s the first thing their nose senses. Ensuring you finish cooking a couple of hours before your guest’s arrival time will let the food smell disappear. 

Add natural elements:

Fresh plants or a tiny bit of greenery is like a magic wand that can bring any place to life. A small plant on the side table, guest bedroom, entryway, outside the main door – you name it, and it will change the look and feel. 

Think out of the box: 

Place a small plant on books as a stand. It can be a statement piece for your foyer area chest. Use jute trays to hold a candle, an ethnic decorative piece, or a statue. You can use this as a centerpiece on the dining table or center table. 

Let it reflect your personality: Whichever way we decorate our home, it should be an extension of our personality. For example, I like sober colors but don’t mind trying bold colors occasionally. At my place, I have kept tones of blue and white for the living area. I also like local handicrafts. Over the years, I have collected a couple of such pieces. I look for unique designs when adding any new item to the décor. A couple of months ago, I found a wooden cart. I am using it is as TV remotes holder. During Diwali, I place a small jar with flowers in it. Here is a picture of it.

The same is true for my coaster set. Instead of buying regular round coaters, I found a Rocking chair coaster set on Amazon. 

So, these were a couple of my tips that I follow to make my home feel cozy and welcoming!!