Puzzles by Candlelight and Other Cozy Tips

My daughter recently asked me if we could start a new puzzle. When we began staying home more often in the late spring due to COVID restrictions, we had a puzzle going on a side table in our living room. We were trying to find ways to entertain ourselves with more time on our hands than before. Well, here we are, eight months later, still sticking close to home, and this extrovert has adapted to becoming a homebody 🙂

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We are all spending more time in our homes these days, whether due to lockdowns or the shorter days as winter approaches, so it got me thinking about ways to make our living spaces cozier and more peaceful. Our home is supposed to be our sanctuary, and I want my home to feel like a giant hug for anyone who enters and for my family. The best way I know how to do that is to incorporate all five senses when creating a cozy home environment.

“A home is a kingdom of its own in the midst of the world, a stronghold amid life’s storms and stresses, a refuge, even a sanctuary.”

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Tips for how to feel cozy and comfortable at home:

• Music: Create or find several playlists that include music you find to be calming and peaceful. For me, that list includes soft jazz, instrumental worship, classical music, or mellow tunes.

• Candles: I burn both scented and unscented candles daily all over the house. The flickering flames soothe my soul, and the soft illumination brings a cozy feel to the space. The candles I burn are typically seasonal, so right now, the ones I’m using have earthy, woodsy, or pumpkin scents. I enjoy twinkly tea lights, as well. I love candles so much that I dedicated a whole blog post to them. You can find that here.

• Comfort Foods: Now is the time to simmer a batch of soup, bake some bread, or whip up some cookies or brownies. There is nothing like the aroma of garlic sizzling in a pan or a dessert baking in the oven. Sometimes, when baking, I double the batch of dough and freeze at least half. That way, I can pop them in the oven at a later date for a quick treat.

• Cozy Textiles: The small comforts of a chunky throw to wrap up in, cozy pillows on your sofa to nestle against, or a soft rug underfoot helps make your living room feel like a warm hug. This is one of my favorite soft blankets.

• Nature: I almost always have grocery store bouquets in vases throughout my house as well as greenery. Bringing in the outdoors is another way to create a cozy ambiance. Stems of eucalyptus provide fresh fragrance to a bathroom, and pinecones look homey sitting on a mantle.

• Organize/Declutter: This is especially important for your main living spaces. The more organized your items are (and put away), the more inviting your space will be. Clear counters inspire a more peaceful atmosphere. Cluttered spaces aren’t relaxing or welcoming.

• Warm Drinks: Almost everyone enjoys a warm beverage, and what’s cozier on a blustery day than a steaming mug of cocoa, tea, or coffee? Everyone has their favorite, so stock up on an assortment of warm drink options.

• Puzzles and Board Games: My family loves to play board games (some of us are very competitive!) and assemble puzzles. They’re a great way to connect and enjoy an afternoon or evening indoors. A few of our favorites include card games like Uno, Apples to Apples, or Exploding Kittens. We also enjoy playing Quirkle, Bananagrams, and Codenames.

• Coffee Table Books and Magazines: What a treat it is to curl up on your sofa and peruse through a book you don’t often pick up or leaf through a magazine. Displaying lovely books on your coffee table invites guests (and you!) to enjoy the photos or interesting content in a relaxed way.

• Movies: Take some time to place films you want to watch in your queue, so the next time you sit down to enjoy a movie, you don’t spend hours deciding which one to watch. Here is a list of 25 feel-good films and a simple trick for never again asking what you should watch next.

• Loungewear: When relaxing at home, no one wants to be in restrictive or uncomfortable clothes. We would all rather wear cozy, comfortable tops and bottoms for lounging around. You can find some cute joggers, sweathshirts, and tops that don’t look like pajamas. I would also include warm, thick socks or comfy slippers in the loungewear category.

• Fire: There’s nothing like the warmth and smell of a crackling fire burning in the fireplace. If you’re like me and don’t have a fireplace, this is the next best thing 😉

“My people will live in a peaceful habitation, in safe dwellings, and in quiet resting places.”

Isaiah 32:18

So, what do you think? Is your home in need of a bit more cozy and comfortable? What tips would you add to this list? I would love to know. Please reply in the comments with other ideas 🙂

Natalie XO