What Is Cozy?
Cozy. It’s become so much more than a word for me, so much more than a way to decorate and design. It is now a way of life, of approaching the world and the choices we make within it. These days, especially, I find that coziness is less about paint colors, linens, and lighting—though I could talk for days about those things. Instead, cozy is more about creating a space that welcomes, nourishes, and surrounds us with warmth, love, and comfort through each changing season of the year and the ever-changing seasons of our lives. Cozy is about transforming our own little corner of the world into a private refuge. Not a place of perfection, but a place of peace and belonging, a place to retreat to when all the demands and distractions of life press in.
Winter is the ultimate season for all things cozy. At my house, affectionately called White Cottage Farm, it brings the quiet hush of falling snow, the scent of evergreens, and holiday gatherings with family and friends. It’s the time for slowing down, bundling up, and snuggling in.
As winter blows through, we bundle with heavy layers and cozy coats. It’s the farm life for us, so we’re still venturing out to tend to animals and chores. In Michigan, there’s lots of snow, so that means snowmen, snow angels, and snowball fights. And I am loving every moment of seeing and experiencing it all afresh through my son Cope’s eyes.
Winter is also the season of giving, so we open our hearts and our home, and we gather—with each other, with family, with friends. Trees and greenery are wrapped with twinkling lights that blink out the message of the season. Mugs of steaming hot cocoa along with conversation and laughter chase away the chill in the air. Welcome, winter!
Winters here at the farm can be icy cold with snow for days. But even if winters where you live are simply a milder version of summer, there are some things that just beg to be done this time of year.
As temperatures drop and the holiday season nears, the fresh greens and cozy whites of winter begin to replace the russets, yellows, and plums of fall. And of course, winter calls for all the cozy layers. Whether it’s the main bedroom, kids’ rooms, guest room, or even the couch, pile on the plush pillows and warm blankets to create the perfect spot for those essential cozy naps this time of year.
When planning winter décor, the holidays often claim the spotlight. But this coldest of seasons offers so many additional opportunities for making our homes cozy with warmth. Here are some of my must-have pieces for cozy winter decorating:
Greenery: Choose from wreaths, boughs, sprigs, garlands, and swags of pine, cedar, spruce, eucalyptus, or magnolia. Faux greenery makes decorating effortless, but consider using fresh as well—the scent is worth it.
Pinecones: Arrange them in baskets and bowls, paint them white, or simply tuck them in among the evergreens.
Layers of linens: For the coziest blankets, throws, and pillows, choose richly textured knits and soft fabrics in flannel, fleece, and faux fur. For a coordinated look, keep colors neutral with hints of bright red, cozy brown, or warm gold.
Miniature evergreens: Real or faux, these guys are a staple for winter decorating. Use them as accents in your holiday décor. But after Christmas, these little gems can handle center stage all on their own.
Containers: Moody, antique dark metal urns and vases, pots and pails create a timeless winter look, especially when mixed with fresh (or faux) evergreens. Pieces of gold and glass add a touch of sparkle to the fresh whites and greens of the season. And, of course, chippy white is always a cozy classic.
Twinkle lights: They’re not just for trees, and they’re not just for Christmas. Weave into garlands, wrap around trees, string along banisters and railings—inside, outside, or anywhere you want—to add a warm and welcoming glow.
I share more cozy seasonal decorating inspiration in Cozy White Cottage Seasons (available November 23). I’m inviting you to journey with me through an entire year of coziness. Together, we’ll create spaces, places, and moments of coziness that draw out the best of each of the seasons.
As we set about the process of making our homes cozy, we create a much-needed refuge from the world and its craziness. Now more than ever I believe that tranquility within our homes inspires tranquility within our souls. And don’t we all long for a bit more peace in our lives?
Taken from Cozy White Cottage Seasons by Liz Marie Galvan. Copyright ©2021 by Liz Marie Galvan. Used by permission of Thomas Nelson.
is the author of Cozy White Cottage Seasons, a blogger, momma, wife, and co-owner of the home décor boutique, The Found Cottage. Liz blogs daily on her website, LizMarieBlog.com, where thousands of people go for tips and inspiration each day—whether she’s blogging about life on the farm, their fixer-upper 1800s farmhouse, her latest DIY project, or even about their adoption journey. Liz lives in Michigan with her veteran husband, Jose, and their son, Copeland Beau, along with a few sheep, a lot of bees, a bunch of cats, and even a couple of dogs. You can follow Liz and all of her adventures on Instagram @LizMarieGalvan.
Photograph provided by Thomas Nelson
