How the home feels has a big impact on how you feel in it! Because of our busy lives, we can get so caught up in the everyday trenches of life that we can miss out on making sure home feels like a cozy and stress-free place. Yet most of us don’t have limitless money to spend on making our home exactly how we want it, either. Read on for lots of ideas for how to make your home feel cozy on a budget!
Why Bother Making Your Home Feel Cozy?
Beauty in your life and home often gets overlooked as not necessary and frivolous.
I think that incorporating beauty into the everyday items in the home has a big impact!
Your home and the things you surround yourself with effect how you feel about yourself, and how you function in your daily life.
Everyone has their own sense of style and taste, and what makes them feel good.
Some people love bright color, and energy.
Others like soft muted shades, whites, quiet and natural elements.
We go through phases where our taste changes and what makes us feel good is different than it used to be!
Whatever your personal “vibe” is, go with that. What makes you feels calm and happy?
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Elements in a Home That Make it Feel Calm and Cozy
For my personal taste, which is the latter mentioned above, I think about these aspects in my home:
clear, clean surfaces –
Counter tops, table, bathroom counters I try to keep clutter free. Have a designated basket to hold clutter until the end of the day when you put things away.
wood tones –
Wood furniture, wooden kitchen utensils and cutting boards instead of plastic.
natural elements –
Natural baskets instead of plastic tubs, potted plants in terra cotta pots, salt lamps, pottery dishes, scents in home from essential oils and natural sources.
lots of sunlight –
No heavy window coverings on most of the windows. (We can do this is the country with no neighbors!) Maybe some sheer white curtains or simple blinds you can get out of the way during the day. I love plenty of light coming in all day!
vintage or old fashioned items –
In many places I can, I love to use an old school item or vintage item instead of a new/plastic, fast made option. This really amplifies the cozy factor to me.
Examples: Old wooden crates and baskets for storage instead of plastic bins, vintage wall art thrifted instead of cookie cutter decor from Hobby Lobby.
sentimental items and family heirlooms –
If you are lucky enough to have family heirlooms that you love, then that’s a wonderful way to make you house feel cozy! I absolutely love displaying my very old family photos on a gallery wall.
You can also curate some of your own sentimental collections if you don’t have them passed down to you. Frame family photos or art in vintage frames you thrift, collect shells, or nature finds and keep in a vase or jar to remember a special trip or summer, copy and frame some handwriting from a family member that is special to you.
Swapping meh, for oooohhh!
Something as simple as slowly replacing all my ugly, old plastic cooking utensils and cutting boards with wood and metal utensils and wood cutting boards had made my kitchen feel SO much better to me.
Slowly replace items around your house that are serviceable with ones that have a little more beauty. Hand towels, pillowcases, mugs, soap dishes, simple things like this can really bring coziness and beauty.
Some may not bother with such things, but if you’re like me, you may understand what I’m talking about.
Let’s play a game! Which Feels Cozier?!
Or
B. Wood soap dish? ( They are about the same price.)
What about the kitchen… Which feels cozier?
Or
Or
B. Banana Leaf Nesting Basket set
Ultimately, coziness and warmth in a home have a lot to do with personal tastes and preferences. If you have found the vibe you like, stick with it! Don’t be pressured into what everyone else likes just cause you see it all over Instagram or Pinterest. Just wait a couple years and the fads will have changed anyway!
How Can I Make My House Cozy for Cheap?
Lots of simple ways to give you ideas for how to make your home feel cozy on a budget!
quiet time in God’s word
Trusting God’s promises and giving my day to Him is the ultimate in safe, cozy and warm, no matter the surroundings.
fresh flowers in a mason jar
Try growing zinnias and cosmos in your yard or a pot, they are super easy to grow from seed!
herbs hanging to dry
a garland of dried citrus
a bunch of eucalyptus hanging in the shower
fresh, clean sheets
Spray them down with homemade essential oil linen spray.
an old, tattered quilt waiting on the couch
a hot bath with epsom salts
see here how I use old essential oil bottles in my epsom salts and lavender oil
reading an old book that I loved as a kid
a hot cup of herbal tea
a delicious fried egg in a cast iron skillet
growing flowers and veggies of my own
rearranging the furniture in one room and decorating by “shopping” my home
cloth napkins
These are easy to thrift! Just wash with hot water and they’re good to go.
beeswax candles
or battery operated flicker tapers (so gorgeous and no fumes or fire and last a long time. Watch for price drops and sales.)
a notebook and pencil by the bed to empty all my thoughts before sleep
This is a great stress reducer if you have a lot on your mind.
my rosemary bush planted near where I walk by, brushing past it releasing it’s aroma
See if any friends or family have a hearty perennial plant such as lavender, rosemary, chives, lemon balm, mint, etc. that you could dig a chunk of and plant near your entry way.
treating myself to new hand towels for the kitchen
a special bar of soap by the sink
a playlist of some of my favorite songs
It is amazing how small things put together can set the tone in a home.
I want my home to be a place I love being, that feels good to me, and that replenishes.
Book Ideas to Help you Learn How to Make Your Home Feel Cozy on a Budget
Here are handy Amazon links, but you can utilize your local library and Thrift Books (Spend $30 and we both get a free book with my link) if you’re on a budget!
I love the book Living a Beautiful Life by Alexandra Stoddard. It’s packed with small, inspiring ways to add beauty and intention to your everyday life.
The Lifegiving Home by Sally Clarkson
You May Also Like to Check Out:
How to Make Beautiful Reclaimed Garden Planters
Homemaking Mama Summer Favorites 2017
My Spring Seed Order and Plans for My Zone 7b Garden
What special things about your home make you feel warm and fuzzy?
Always Dig the Good Life!
May I elaborate on that? I think the homeyness comes from good relationships too! I love all the things you describe here along with good books, fires on cold evenings, a good ole dog at our side, a porch swing, regular home cooked meals, family pictures on the walls, and lots of laughter! Ain’t home grand!
Yes! That’s so true! Happy family is key! Thanks for adding that.
I like to feel at home at home. If I can’t feel at home at home it just doesn’t feel like home. So we make every effort to make home feel homey. Works most of the time. WE like a homey home. Glad yall do too!