How to Make Your Home Cozy and Inviting This Season
When the leaves start to turn and there is a definite chill in the air you can make your home a welcoming haven with special touches that create a cozy atmosphere
The beautiful Finger Lakes region becomes a fall and winter wonderland when colder weather sets in. There are plenty of outdoor activities, and after an invigorating day of skiing, hiking along wooded trails or ice fishing on the lake you can look forward to spending quality time at home with family and friends.
Create a cozy and inviting environment with thoughtful additions that add to a welcoming touch. The key is to incorporate things that appeal to all five of the senses. Start with a welcome mat and pots of greenery at the entrance and a tasteful decorative wreath on the door as a nod to the coming holiday season.
Add some greenery to bring the outside in. Flowers with the color of fall and cuttings from your trees are natural elements that help you enjoy the current season.
The right lighting helps create a cozy mood, so pay attention to the illumination in your home as the days grow shorter and it gets dark earlier. Try using lights with a yellow tone that have a soft radiance, rather than harsh blue or white tone lighting. Candles scattered throughout your home and holiday lights add to the festive mood of the season. Opt for lamps instead of overhead lighting for a warmer feel. String lights that are so popular these days contribute to the relaxed look.
If you are fortunate enough to have a wood-burning fireplace, enjoy the warm glow, dancing flames and crackling sounds of the fire that make your home cozy and inviting. Your fireplace will become a natural focal point in the room, and you can accentuate the look with a few decorative accent pieces on the mantle.
If you don’t have a built-in fireplace, there are plenty of other options like electric fireplaces that you just “plug and play” so you have all the advantages without the hassle. You can choose an electric insert, get an electric stove or a high style linear electric fireplace.
Comfortable cushioned seating goes a long way in creating a cozy home this season. An upholstered sofa and chairs can make your home inviting, especially when you arrange your seating in convenient conversational groupings. You might want to incorporate motion furniture like oversized recliners that make your home inviting.
Have a basket of classic plaid wool blankets handy mixed in with natural objects of the season like pinecones. Warm, thick throw blankets draped over the arm and the back of the sofa contribute to a welcoming vibe, along with patterned throw pillows in a variety of textures that convey a feeling of warmth. Use attractive rugs over your wood or tile floors to protect the floor and define seating areas.
Escape from the constant drone of electronics and the distractions of everyday life with calming music to set the mood. Listen to your personal playlist and holiday favorites and allow yourself to become immersed in the sound as the cares of your day fall away.
Carving out a space for recreation and entertainment in the living room or great room can make your home inviting in the colder months when you spend more time with family indoors. Whether it’s a cozy nook for catching up on the latest novels or an enticing spot for competitive video or board games, a dedicated place for fun activities keeps the rest of the house neat and creates a welcoming space for adults and children.
Fall and winter seasons when you spend more time at home are a great time to take the opportunity to get into the kitchen. Cook up some favorites that warm you up and create enticing aromas that recall treasured memories of fall and winters past. Set a pot of chili or vegetable soup simmering on the stove, put a roast in the oven and prepare a tray of homemade cookies for dessert. A steaming cup of aromatic hot chocolate is a welcome treat at any time.
Stock up on bubble bath, candles and soft, fluffy towels for the bathroom and have your robe handy when you come from the warm bath. In the bedroom, keep extra down or faux down comforters at the foot of the bed.
Professional real estate agent Kelli Ide can help you make smart decisions when you buy and sell property in New York’s Finger Lakes region. Count on Kelli guide you in making your home attractive to buyers in the fall and winter season. She offers a unique, concierge-style approach to real estate, including staging, photo styling and market preparation services exclusively for clients to give them an edge over the competition. For further information about buying or selling a home, visit kelliide.com.
