Nothing beats a cozy room. Life can get so fast and so busy that we constantly find ourselves seeking that foreign sense of pure serenity. Sound familiar?
Many people fail to dedicate a space in their home for relaxation and relaxation only. It’s pretty difficult to find that comfy, cozy, carefree feeling in your home office—or even your backyard if you live in a suburban setting.
Chances are, sitting in your home office brings on some feelings of tension, stress, meeting deadlines, and more. Your backyard may have some patio furniture to chill out on—but your neighbor’s barking dog doesn’t care about that!
Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a short list of things that are essential to every cozy room. We’ll share with you the building blocks needed to get those warm and fuzzy feelings ASAP.
Take a Break, Rest Your Feet!
Essential #1—The Ultimate Bean Bag Chair
If you feel like you’re on your feet 90% of the week, this first one is going to change your life. In your designated cozy space, put a high-quality chair. What you choose to sit on when you relax is very important.
We know how easy it is to relax on your bed—but this is never the best course of action. Everyone’s been there, where you go to your bedroom intending to get a quick rest in...and next thing you know, you’ve been “resting your eyes” for 3 hours.
This is why getting a nice, plush chair that’s meant for cozy time is such a great idea. They come in multiple sizes and colors.
With a chair so comfortable, me-time has never felt this good! It’s perfect for listening to music, reading, meditating, and many other solo activities.
Having a cozy little escape from the world can come in handy at any point in the day. While some prefer to start their day with a little quiet time, others like to really unwind at the end. What do we think is best? How about both?
Here’s the best part: if you were looking to get a nap in, these bean bag chairs are easily convertible—giving you the option of turning it into a bed. This convertible feature is great for having family movie nights or for when you have guests over!
Lighting Really is Everything
Essential #2—The Most Soothing Light Fixtures
Lighting has been proven to change not only the mood of a room, but also the size or shape of one.
This is why everyone we see on HGTV spends a good portion of any given episode discussing their choice of lighting. It dictates what kind of space you’re going to have and how you’re going to feel when you walk in.
There are so many different types of lighting fixtures that can get you that maximum level of coziness. One thing that they all have in common is that they are warm.
Warm lights are usually soft and have a yellowish hue. Here are some of our favorite warmer lighting options:
- String Lights
String lights are very popular in the twenty-first century. These can range from dainty “fairy lights” that are small in size and twinkle to large mock lightbulbs hanging from a simple cord.
Which you choose really depends on your personal style. Do you want to be able to admire the lighting as you relax, or do you want to barely notice it’s there?
- A Lovely Lamp
Lamps are a great accessory to any room because they can fall in the category of functional furniture, as well as unique interior decor. They’re something you should have, and they’re something you can use to bring the whole room’s design together.
Of course, you can always go with a traditional bedside lamp or two, but we have to share the latest and greatest trends with you.
If you’re anything like us, you’ll love moon lamps. They’re small, mystical night lights that will glow up your cozy space as you breathe deeply and rest easy. Perfect for any nightstand, dresser, or bookshelf.
- Galaxy Room
This last lighting favorite may take the cake. Everyone loves celestial ceilings! You can now bring stargazing right to your room with either a star projector or star stickers.
How much cozier could this idea be?
We prefer the projector so you can turn the magic on at nighttime when you’re ready to relax. This keeps the stargazing feature fresh and exciting.
Make Sure Your Space Smells Cozy, Too
Essential #3—Calming Air Diffuser/Candles
It’s important that cozy time appeals to all five of our senses. It’s easy to forget our sense of smell while gathering all of our “must-haves” for a room.
We’re here to remind you about that candle you used to love. If you don’t have a favorite, you should go find one!
The act of burning scented candles has been found to have positive psychological effects on us, simultaneously lessening feelings like stress and fear.
We know firsthand that not every space is meant for candle burning. Some buildings restrict occupants from using candles as part of their fire code. Some parents don’t want a single candle to accidentally burn their house down.
Or maybe you just don’t love candles! And that’s okay. We have the perfect substitute which offers the same benefits.
Introducing...the essential oils diffuser! These small, affordable machines are a lifesaver at the end (or the start) of a long day. All you need is to pick your favorite oil, add a few drops to the water you’ll fill the diffuser with, and you’re done!
Sit back, relax, and smell the flowers. Or the citrus. Or the vanilla.
Cuddle Session: Party of One
Essential #4—The Warmth of a Weighted Blanket
Weighted blankets are on people’s wish lists year-round. These things are amazing.
While they do have a more notable price tag than some of our other cozy room necessities, we believe they’re worth the purchase.
The point of a weighted blanket is to provide someone with the sensation known as deep pressure stimulation. This sensation helps ease the nervous system and is used often in therapeutic practices as well as with support animals.
For those of us who live alone or are part of long-distance relationships, we may find that we are deprived of touch from time to time.
Some doctors suggest that hugs are imperative for survival! A weighted blanket can supply that cozy feeling of a hug you’ve been needing—even if you didn’t know you needed it. The heaviness of the layer is bound to invoke a feeling of love and support.
These blankets are helpful for just about everyone. Excluding babies, there is a perfect blanket to use depending on how old you are and how much you weigh.
How ‘Bout a Cup of Hot Cocoa?
Essential #5—The Most Reliable Mug Warmer
So, we’ve spoken about what you should see in your cozy space, what you should smell in your cozy space, and what you should feel in your cozy space.
That leaves tasting and hearing.
First, let’s get to tasting. Everyone deserves a treat during their coziest time of day. One of the best life hacks you can add to your space is a mug warmer or a great coaster.
A lot of us enjoy a nice, hot beverage—caffeinated or not. We know we do. But sometimes, it can feel like a bit of a chore to finish the drink while it’s still hot.
Not anymore! With a mug warmer, your coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is safe to sit. This is perfect for times when you’re watching a movie, meditating, or reading.
In other words, if your focus is elsewhere during your cozy time, your hot drink will be patiently waiting for you when you’re done.
If a hot drink doesn’t tickle your fancy, we have a feeling about what your guilty pleasure might be. And that’s why we have a bonus essential for you.
Wine lovers, you might want to hear this. You can now buy a set of wine coasters, specifically shaped to let your wine glass (or bottle) sit in a little cubby.
No more balancing, no more spillage, no more mess!
In Summary
You thought we forgot about your sense of hearing, huh? Nope.
We didn’t dive deep into the sense of hearing because there are so many things you can listen to (or not listen to) as you relax, and that’s really up to you.
But if you do need suggestions, we’d recommend a soothing playlist, a casual podcast, or an easy-listening audiobook.
Making a room cozy can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be!
The most important thing to remember is everyone is different. After some self-reflection, you’ll find that how you relax is particular to you. Once you realize what makes you feel best, the fun begins...order your favorite items and enjoy.
Sources:
https://cordaroys.com/collections/nest
https://www.counselling-directory.org.uk/memberarticles/scented-candles-to-reduce-anxiety
https://www.healthline.com/health/anxiety/do-weighted-blankets-work#who-may-benefit
https://www.healthline.com/health/hugging-benefits#4.-Hugs-can-make-you-happier
