6 cozy, comforting, and cocooning decorating ideas to help you bunker down in style this fall

Creating a cozy home starts with a sense of comfort. A cocooning and calm atmosphere doesn't just happen by accident, it requires a delicate balance of design, ambiance, and cozy decorating ideas.

To create a warm and welcoming home in time for winter, you of course want to start with the basics with some cozy room ideas. Think of a cozy living room, or a cozy corner of your bedroom that can be transformed into a space designed for retreating into.

With a few thoughtful touches, you can effortlessly turn any room into a comforting space. Here, we spoke to interior designers for their best decorating ideas that encourage relaxation and hunkering down to get cozy.

6 Cozy Decorating Ideas to try this winter

Incorporating cozy decor into your home isn't just about aesthetics – it's about creating a space that feels welcoming, lived in, and full of personality. A room where you can truly relax and feel like yourself. These are our very best tips.

1. Drench the space in warm earth tones

'The keys to cozy decor are warmth and texture,' says interior designer Kathy Kuo. 'You want your space to feel seasonal, inviting, and luxuriously relaxing.'

'Try adding warm earth tones like terracotta, sienna, and mahogany and mixing different woven textures together,' she suggests. 'Finally, tie your cozy decor together with a seasonal scented candle that evokes all the warm and fuzzy feelings of home at its best.'

If you're looking to decorate with more earthy colors this fall and winter, look to make a shift away from cooler tones like gray and white and instead embrace color drenching with shades like rich browns, soft biscuit tones, muted greens, and warm ochres that provide a sense of warmth making the room feel grounded. For example, a soft clay wall color will pair well with a caramel leather chair and dark wooden accents.

2. Get out your best knits

Few things evoke a sense of coziness better than soft, knitted textiles. Layers of throws and pillows in chunky knits are a must-have for creating an inviting, warm space.

'Playing with materials is a great way to add in a cozy factor or make your home feel like the seasons are changing,' advises Kristina Khersonsky of STUDIO KEETA. 'When it comes to selecting something as simple as a throw, opt for ‘hairy’ wools or long mohair,' she suggests. 'Don’t be afraid to go for one with a fun pop of color or pattern,' adds Kristina, who styled this pink striped mohair throw on the green leather sectional above.

'I love the idea of adorning your sofa with a mix of throw pillows with different textures, like chunky knits, distressed leather, and even hair-on-hide,' suggests Kathy.

3. Choose skirted furniture

Skirted furniture is making a comeback, and for good reason. It brings a sense of retro charm and elegance to a room by adding an extra layer of fabric and conceals the legs of chairs, sofas, and ottomans for a more relaxed appearance.

'When it comes to upholstery, an effective way to add instant character is by adding in a skirt or having a loose cover made up,' suggests Holly Vaughan, co-founder of Vaughan Design & Development and designer of the living room seen above. 'It quickly feels more relaxed, paired back and inviting.'

If you're considering the legs vs no legs debate for your furnishings, to create a cozier feel, the answer should always be: skirted. Skirted furniture has a way of making a room feel more complete. The flowing fabric adds softness and warmth, and when paired with cozy textures like wool throws or cushions, it elevates the overall comfort of the space.

4. Layer low-level lighting

One of the easiest ways to make a space feel more relaxing is to simply dim the lighs. Nobody feels cozy in a space lined with spotlights with cool-toned bulbs.

In order to create a softer ambiance, interior designer Benji Lewis has a few tried-and-tested lighting ideas to follow. 'Use side lighting only, like lamplight with patterned gathered lampshades on your table lamps. Of course, light a fire if you have a working chimney – and light some candles,' says Benji.

You want to avoid bright, direct light and instead go for softer, diffused light from multiple sources. Incorporate a mix of table lamps, floor lamps, wall sconces, and candles to cast a glow around the room. Place these lights at varying heights to create pockets of warm light and be sure to use task lighting for functionality, like reading by the fire.

5. Shop vintage for characterful pieces

Collecting and curating a display of vintage pieces throughout your home is an interior designer trick used to make rooms feel considered and 'real' - as opposed to a show home. This, in turn, will help you to feel more at home in the space, and like you're able to fully relax into it.

'Vintage items, particularly books, instantly add warmth and a lived-in feel to any space,' says co-founder and principal designer at House of Hive Kailee Blalock, who loves decorating with vintage.

'Source things like old biscuit tins, a small stack of these looks fabulously homey on a kitchen shelf,' adds Benji. 'A cluster of faded hydrangea in an antique French confit pot looks super or a bunch of bare branches with berries on in a glass vase looks fantastic if they’re well arranged.'

6. Layer rugs and drapery for a cocooning effect

One of the easiest ways to make a space feel more intimate and cozy is through layering. Look to double down on your rugs and curtains to not only add physical warmth, but to visually soften the space, making it feel more welcoming and intimate.

Kailee Blalock is a fan of adding extra textiles to create a cozy feel. 'Layering rugs not only gives a room a more complete look but adds texture, enhancing coziness,' Kailee says. 'Mixing colors and textures helps create a cozy, visually interesting environment.'

For a cozy bedroom idea, try floor-to-ceiling curtains in a thick fabric like velvet or cotton and allow them to pool slightly on the ground. 'Heavy drapery, particularly double-stacked, brings an added layer of richness to a room,' Kailee continues.

It doesn't take a lot of effort to give your home a few upgrades to make it feel extra cozy this winter. The key is to embrace layering with more texture, textiles, and soft lighting to create a warm and welcome retreat.