I designed both of our short term rentals with these principles in mind. This home was recognized by Airbnb and placed in the prestigious design category. I like a space to feel like a deep exhale when you walk in. That’s why I design with a neutral palette. During the day, I love it light and bright. During the evening hours, I love it cozy and comfortable. Here are my top 4 tips to bring in the cozy.
All light bulbs need to be 2700k and frosted
I learned this from the Hygge book! With many dark days, the Scandinavians are masters of cozy. The warm light emitted by 2700k bulbs makes a space feel more like a cozy home and less like a museum or science lab. It’s like the warmth of a fireplace. Any time I buy light bulbs, I make sure it is 2700k like these. I make sure all my bulbs are frosted so again the glow continues to be emitted above, on the ceiling and on the walls, not looking streaky. Here’s what a non frosted light bulb does- instead of a diffused glow, you get streaks on your ceiling.
Compare that to a chandelier with frosted bulbs. The ceiling has no streaks, just a diffused glow-
As much as possible, put lighting at a wall so you get the warm glow on the wall.
When a lamp is in the center of a room or not against a wall like the picture above, you lose all that lovely dispersed glow on the wall!
Avoid stark white lampshades. Opt for all burlap, off-white, or linen lampshades
This increases the warmth factor! I never, ever buy stark white lamp shades. Here is a good option. Make sure you get the right size for your lamp.
Use more warm tones and less cool tones (like gray) in your palette
Have you noticed that ChatGPT makes every design change warmer in tone? It just looks better! When I do virtual design makeovers, I always go warmer for my clients unless they say otherwise. See below example-
Have at least 3 sources of ambient light in every room that isn’t the foyer, kitchen, or dining room
We need light in at least three corners of the room, if not more because we want to…
Turn off all the overhead lights unless you are in the kitchen, foyer, or dining room
It makes sense that there’s overhead lighting in these work horse rooms. You’re cooking and prepping in the kitchen, your light is needed to shine on your food in the dining room, and you’re greeting guests in the foyer or rushing out the door making sure you have your keys. But living rooms and bedrooms? Those are spaces for reading and relaxing, so cozy vibes are a must, and ambient lighting is all about creating a space for relaxing.
For overhead lighting, opt for downturned lights instead of upturned lights and lampshades or frosted glass versus exposed bulbs
Downturned lights on a dining table like the pic above or on a kitchen island are much preferred to upturned lights because it allows the glow to come to the food you’re eating or preparing and not dispersing upward to the ceiling! It really lends a nice glow while you’re gathered around entertaining friends and family. And don’t even get me started on lamps that show a naked bulb in all its glory. Nobody’s eyes should have to strain and look at a naked bulb. Ever.
Don’t do this-
Instead do this–
Don’t do this-
Instead, do this-
Don’t do this-
Instead do this-
Anyways, hope these help! I live by these cozy tips!
