How to make your home a cosy space?

When we design and furnish our home, we usually have several ideas that we want to implement, whether they are specific pieces to buy or colours to use, or we already imagined the type of feel we want our home to have.

For a lot of us, creating a serene, cosy home is a priority, as it is our daily getaway from the outside world. Therefore, making sure we curate a space that feels nice and calming to come home to, is a priority in a lot of cases. 

So, what can we do to make sure we create the outmost cosiness in our personal space? Does it depend on furniture? Is it the colour of the walls? Must we have a fireplace? 

At Impera Italia, we worked with several designers, developers, and private clients alike which helped us to develop an understanding of what are some of the essential elements of creating a cosy space.

If you want to learn about these tips, keep on reading!

What does cosy mean?

According to the Cambridge Dictionary, cosy is defined as “comfortable and pleasant, especially (of a building) because of being small and warm” some of its synonyms being homely, and comfortable. 

The word cosy however, became so popular, especially on places like Pinterest and blogs, where a lot of people like to share their own décor, whilst sharing tips. Cosy spaces became quite popular, as they are not just aesthetically pleasing, but also practical and comfortable. The perfect example of why functionality doesn’t have to take away from the homely feel of a room.

Creating a room that feels warm and welcoming can be a different process for a lot of us, as a lot depends on our personal taste. We collected a few ideas however that can be used, regardless of what your ideal cosy décor looks like.What are the essential parts of a cosy space, and how can you create yours?

From different wall finishes to antique pieces, a lot of consideration can go into creating a seemingly effortless space. The good thing is that investing the time, energy and money into your home will probably be one of the most rewarding investments you can make! 

Here are some of the essentials for creating a cosy space of your own!

1. Pick warm neutrals.

It goes without saying that when you want your space to feel warm, it all starts with the colour you choose.

Opting for warmer shades, – whether they fall on the light or dark end of the spectrum – can help create the perfect background for the rest of your furnishings. A lot can depend on the natural lighting the room has, or the overall look you’re trying to achieve, but choosing warm undertones are an essential step for making a room feel welcoming.

    2. Go for textured wall finishes.

When it comes to prepping the room for the décor, the wall finishes play a key role in tying the look of your interiors together.

Choosing the right tones is the first step, but if you want to go the extra mile, it’s wise to consider adding some interest to the walls with some texture. Even if it’s only for the feature walls. 

Lime Eco

If you want a beautiful colour wash to add interest to larger surfaces and help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere in the room, Lime Eco is our best choice. 

It is a natural, lime-based paint and it has antibacterial and antibacterial properties. It’s a great and cost-effective solution to add texture to your walls!

Click here for a sample pot!

 

Sioloc Suede

Our semi-matt metallic paint, Sioloc Suede has a beautiful suede-like, velvety texture which is ideal for those who love the matt look, but want to experiment with understated patterns and textured on the wall!

Click here for a catalogue!

Tintoretto

If you love the classing Venetian plaster look, which is slightly similar to the one with Colourwash, Tintoretto is great choice, as it boasts a wide range of warm neutrals.

As opposed to the limewash, Tintoretto has a heavier texture which can add a luxurious, velvety look to your walls!

Click here for a catalogue!

Venetian plaster

For any textured bespoke finish, which we often recommend for feature walls, our Marmorino Supreme or Marmoretto could be great options. For a more textured look, have a look at our Traverto plaster here!

Browse the full selection by clicking here!

 

    3. Add some layers!

Adding layers is an advice we often hear from interior designers. Aside from adding interest and completing the overall look, it’s important to make the room feel comfortable. 

Think of adding thick rugs, big knitted blankets and some pillows. 

Let’s not forget the rest of the room, adding some warm metallic accents like brass, and opting for antique furniture with a slightly weathered look can go a long way in creating a space ideal for all kinds of gatherings. 

When it comes to layering, it’s important to add items with various textures, but not to a point where it becomes disorganised and distracted. It’s to make a room feel crowded rather than cosy if you add too much of the good thing.

Try adding some accent pieces or pillows with heavier textures, and building up the rest by adding throws, rugs made of natural, simple materials.

     4. Natural elements

As mentioned above, simple natural textiles and materials are your best friend for this project. 

Combining different types of wood can obviously help with layering, but it will also give the room a more lived-in, welcoming feel. This décor obviously is first and foremost about the feeling we want to experience when we are in the room. 

Choosing organic textiles serves a very similar purpose. Aside from feeling comfortable, they also go perfectly with the different wooden and/woven elements, and help complete your décor. 

 

    5. Be careful with accessorising!

Throw pillows, blankets and rugs 

Whilst comfort and functionality are at the forefront for the cosy interiors, adding some accessories will help the room look and feel more welcoming, rather than leaving it cold and empty with only the essentials.

Some of the most important accessories have already been listed above, such as throw pillows, blankets and rugs, but it’s also good to add a few complementary items.

 

Accessories

Whether you want to surround yourself with some plants, woven baskets or books, make sure to add only a certain amount, to avoid clutter. Family heirlooms and picture frames can also add a homely feel, but make sure they only serve as accent pieces, rather than putting them on every empty surface. 

 

Window Treatment

Cosying up, be it daytime or evening, is always better done when we have the option to pull the curtains. Adding some roman blinds or floor length curtains can add extra layers, and help create interest on larger empty surfaces, therefore, we save ourselves the time and energy of having to put pictures on every wall. 

 

Candles

If you have a fireplace in your home, it goes without saying that it’s the ultimate cosy living room essential. However, for those who don’t currently have one, it’s still possible to add a bit of extra warmth by adding some scented candles to create a welcoming atmosphere.

   6. Lighting

Lighting, when it comes to décor, is important in general. But when it comes to creating a cosy space, it’s half the job. If dimmable lights are an option you can incorporate, it’s one of the best and surest ways of creating a homely atmosphere, but placing some lamps in different parts of the room should be considered either way. Having one, very strong source of light can completely disrupt the rest of your hard work when the sun goes down.

For any questions or advice, please feel free to contact us at our London Showroom! Pop in when you get a chance, alternatively call us at 0333 012 4396 or email at [email protected].