Ask anyone to describe a cozy holiday home and they would use words like comfortable or peaceful or festive.
Basically, a home that feels like the set of a Nancy Meyers movie.
When life is stressful or challenging (like during the busy holiday season), having a home that feels like a haven makes a huge difference in your overall sense of well-being.
Unfortunately, sometimes our homes are just another source of stress during the holidays.
But it doesn’t have to be like this.
There are many simple ways to create a cozy home environment where you can unwind and recharge in between wrapping presents and celebrating the season with friends.
Here are 7 secrets to creating a cozy home for the holidays.
1 | Get rid of clutter
Clutter is a huge source of stress for a lot of people. You may not even realize that clutter is impacting how easily you can relax.
Disorganized spaces that are full of clutter signal that work must be done.
While you might be able to tune out the need to pick up or clean temporarily, you’re still aware that it needs to be done and that takes up mental space.
By dealing with the clutter, you eliminate the mental energy that prevents you from being able to kick back and truly relax.
Surfaces like counters, tables, and dressers are prime locations for clutter to build up.
Clean off those spaces and create a system to keep them free of clutter.
2 | Keep it clean (enough)
Just like clutter can prevent you from feeling calm, a dirty home also makes it hard to relax, especially at a time of year when we’re often entertaining more.
Does your home need to be spotless all the time? Definitely not!
But living in a generally tidy space will help you feel more at ease. It’s hard to unwind when the sink is piled with dishes or laundry sits in baskets waiting to be folded.
To start, try doing a quick 15-minute clean-up before you go to bed. Load the dishwasher and clear off the counters.
Not only will you feel more relaxed, but you’ll start the next day with a clean kitchen.
Get your kids in on the action. By getting school supplies and other belongings out of the main living area, you’ll be free to hang out instead of feeling annoyed that their stuff is all over the place.
3 | Choose familiar over trendy
Every year, a new holiday color palette or decor style hits the market. It can be tempting to lean into trends, but in my experience, it’s the family heirlooms that make the holidays feel extra special.
Without even meaning to, you might be creating a less tranquil environment by switching up your decor every year.
I bought an advent calendar when my kids were young with little cloth ornaments that attach to a felt tree with velcro. It’s probably one of the least aesthetic advent calendars ever, but my family loves it. If I tried to bring in a new advent calendar, I’d have a revolt on my hands!
This doesn’t mean you can’t ever change your holiday decor. My taste has definitely changed over the years. But even when I bring in new decor, I keep a lot of the old familiar pieces that are special to my family.
4 | Bring nature into your decor
If you’re not a big plant person, the holidays are an easy time to add a little greenery to your space. Aside from a Christmas tree, you can display garlands and miniature trees both inside your home and out.
Berries and pine cones are another way to bring nature into your holiday decor. Sprigs of rosemary accentuate place settings.
Fresh flowers are another way to sprinkle some life into your cozy holiday home. Amaryllis and paperwhites are easy to find this time of year and add a natural element to tablescapes and shelves.
Dress up existing houseplants by tying ribbon around the planter to coordinate with your holiday decor. Add lightweight twinkle lights to a larger plant like a fiddle leaf fig.
5 | Consider your lighting carefully
Harsh or overly bright lighting can kill your cozy holiday home vibes.
Dimmer switches make overhead lighting adjustable so you can tone it down in the evenings when you want a more soothing vibe.
Table and floor lamps are also great options for softening the lighting in a room, especially at a time of year when it gets dark earlier. Create some ambiance with lamps and forgo the big light.
Lighting candles can help create a more relaxing home environment. Bonus points if they smell nice! These flameless candles are my go-to because they provide a soothing glow without any risk.
I like to add twinkle lights to the mantel, banisters, and obviously the tree. Nothing says cozy holiday home like the soft glow of twinkle lights!
6 | Add cozy elements
Soft blankets, throw pillows, and comfortable furniture all help to create an inviting and relaxing home where you can unwind after a busy day. As it gets colder, I put away lighter-weight blankets and pillows in favor of fleece, wool, and velvet. This blanket is a great neutral choice and a favorite in my family.
Family heirlooms and mementos give your home personality and make it feel lived-in. While we all appreciate the beauty of a catalog spread, my family treasures the old keepsakes that we pull out each holiday season most.
It can be challenging not to overwhelm your home with tchotchkes during the holidays. Creating cohesive vignettes around your home feels cozier and less cluttered. I know I’m not the only one who feels a small sense of relief when we pack away all the extra decor after Christmas.
7 | Manage your technology.
It’s hard to enjoy even the most relaxing home environment with the constant flurry of dings, chirps, and chimes that come out of our devices.
While it’s tempting to set your notifications so you never miss a thing, it also conditions us to be responsive and chained to our phones 24-7.
Setting boundaries with technology not only reduces stress, but allows us to be present in the moment, especially during a time of year when we want to celebrate with family and friends.
A final note…
The holiday season is when many play with a more maximalist style of decor. And there’s no reason why it can’t be equally peaceful. There’s a big difference between intentionally filling a shelf with collected decor and a pile of stuff on the kitchen island.
However, I know that for some people, any amount of stuff is distracting, intended or not. So the key is to figure out how much decor you can deal with and stick to that.
You can use any of these tips to immediately help create a cozier home where you can unwind during the sometimes-hectic holidays.
Start with the spaces where you spend the most time. Remember that the holidays are intended to be a season of joy. Let your home be an extension of that holiday spirit.
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