~ Some simple ideas to make your home cozy ~
♥ change out your lamp lights from white to amber, and use a lower wattage as well
♥ invest in an oil diffuser and always have some blend diffusing
♥ make a warm, spicy scented room spray...here's my favorite
♥ make dinner time special by lighting candles and dimming the lights
♥ keep calming music playing in the background...for us, this doesn't always mean soft, slow music, but rather, uplifting Irish/Celtic tunes
♥ take every opportunity you can during these cooler months to allow your dinner to simmer on the stovetop all afternoon...soups, stews, chilis, etc., or even roast a chicken
♥ make comfort food often (it doesn't have to be unhealthy!)...pot pies, homemade bread, etc.
♥ drink lots and lots of hot tea and cider and cocoa and coffee...have fun making different homemade recipes similar to the ones you find in coffee shops
♥ games nights, movie nights, marathon nights of your favorite TV shows
♥ have plenty of blankets and quilts handy...keeping them out makes them easy to grab and they add such a cozy, homey look to any room
♥ keep your coats, scarves, hats and gloves easily accessible so you will be encouraged to go outside more often
♥ purpose to enjoy nights of crafting...whether it be painting, knitting, sewing, crocheting, paper crafting, scrapbooking, journaling, etc.
♥ or enjoy family game nights and try learning new games as well as playing old favorites
♥ purpose to broaden your horizons when it comes to cooking and baking from scratch...I can't think of a better time to learn a new kitchen skill than this time of year, or simply enjoy a skill you already have practiced
♥ read, read, read...curl up with a good book and be transported to another place...and learn something new, too
♥ set up a drink corner in your kitchen with an electric kettle, mugs, sugar, and a variety of teas, coffees, hot chocolate and spiced cider
♥ decorate for the season and holidays...decorations are not clutter
♥ hang twinkly fairy lights and bring a bit of whimsy and magic to a room
♥ have a seasonal tea party
♥ we often enjoy having our TV on in the background, but don't always want the distraction of dialogue, so we have found the perfect alternative. if you go to YouTube and search any kind of ambience videos (example: cozy autumn ambience), you will be met with a huge selection of choices. we pick one that we enjoy, and it serves as a peaceful background for us. some have music in the background, but we prefer the ones with nature sounds like breezes blowing, rain falling, crackling fire logs, etc. it creates the most peaceful, relaxing and oh-so-cozy atmosphere in a room!