Cozy season—also known as fall—is in full swing. As activities move indoors, fall is a fantastic time to revisit the atmosphere of your house. You and your guests will feel at home all year long when you strategically “warm up” your living spaces. Here are some of our favorite ways to help cozy up your home:

Repaint your front door. Before guests set foot in your house, they’re going to notice its curb appeal, or the state of your home’s exterior. To put it another way, it’s hard to come back from a worn, chipped, and scuffed front door. Luckily, this has an easy fix: You can repaint it yourself or hire someone to replace it for you. According to Fixr’s recent survey of interior designers, black, royal blue, and sage are among the most popular front door colors for 2022.

Light up your entryway. Soft lighting is inherently welcoming—especially for anyone arriving at night. Depending on the style and size of your entryway, you could install pendant lights or wall sconces or illuminate with a floor or table lamp. Make sure lighting is ample enough to highlight a coat rack or shoe bench where guests can shed their belongings, without being overly harsh.

Declutter all common areas. Reducing clutter can help to minimize stress. So, walk through your house from the perspective of a home stager: organize paperwork, donate old knick-knacks, and consider investing in some decorative baskets to store shoes, clothes, magazines, and electronics out of sight. (These tips will also come in handy when preparing to sell your house.)

Add blankets and pillows. To communicate a “cozy home,” soft textiles are key. Arrange plush throw pillows on sofas and armchairs. Drape a fuzzy throw over the back of a couch or pile blankets in a basket. This is also a great opportunity to incorporate a warm color scheme: Think solid or patterned pillows in mustard, rust, copper, or sand.

Hang statement art (and plants). The right painting or print helps liven up blank walls and provides a strong finish. Minimalist art can tie together a warm color scheme, while a soothing nature print of a favorite place can promote relaxation. You can also keep it homey by dedicating a wall—or hallway—to children’s art and family pictures. When in doubt, add a few low-maintenance plants; stylish succulents are always a crowd-favorite.

One of the most fun parts about being a homeowner is turning your house into the home you’ve always wanted. We hope these tips to make your living space more inviting help you do just that.

This is for informational and educational purposes only and not intended as an advertisement as defined by Regulation Z. Please consult a trusted professional as personal circumstances may vary. No specific results are guaranteed. Sources: Bankrate/CoreLogic, 2022.

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