As the temperatures keep dropping here in New York, I keep cursing myself for not living somewhere that a parka, 7 layers and 2 scarves isn't needed to step foot out my door. Nevertheless, I've been doing my best to try to stay warm and cozy.....my best being me curled up under 3 blankets, drinking too much hot cocoa and attempting to win the lottery so I can quickly jet on out of these frigid temps in to something a little more tropical. But since there's a greater chance of me turning into an icicle than winning the lottery, I've also come up with 5 easy ways to make my home feel more warm and cocoon-like.

1. Candlelight (Dim lighting)- Candlelight not only makes a space feel more intimate and cozy, its glow gives the illusion of sending out heat.

 2. Pillows- Who doesn't love jumping into a giant pile of pillows??! They bring life, color, design and comfort to any space and I always make sure to have quite a few on my bed and couch for those very reasons.

3. Curtains- While open spaces are nice in certain circumstances (kitchen, family room, craft room), for other spaces, like a bedroom or sitting room, you want things to be a little more private. Curtains are great for helping to achieve that snuggled up feeling, whether it's by covering the windows or creating a "hidden" bed.

4. Faux Fur- If this doesn't scream warm and cuddly to you, then I don't know what does! It's like cuddling with a bear (minus the claws, teeth and possible death, of course). I personally have some faux fur pillows on my couch, but I also love the ways it is used in the above pictures (ummm, can we discuss that bean bag and how I need it in my life, like now??!)

5. Knick-Knacks-Although people often associate knick-knacks with clutter (myself included), they are absolutely necessary to make a home feel lived in and consequently warm and cozy. If you think about an office or conference room and how they are usually stark and white, and then you think of your grandmother's living room filled with treasures and history, well, I don't know about you, but I sure know which one makes me feel like melted better! You don't need a lot of items, but photos, treasured family heirlooms, books and vintage finds are what will take a room from being just a space to feeling like an inviting and friendly atmosphere.

Voila!

{All images via Pinterest}