How to create a cosy nook in your home

Brrrrr it’s getting cold! This time of year, it’s tempting to hibernate and curl up with a good book and warm drink. If you don’t have a favourite spot in the house, hopefully these ideas on how to create a cosy nook in your home will inspire you!

Related article: How to do Hygge: Create cosy and inviting interiors
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13 ways to achieve a Scandinavian interior style

1. Find the perfect spot

It sounds obvious but this is the most important step so take the time to walk around your home and look for a spot that you will love to spend time. Ideally, it will be somewhere with good natural light so you can warm up and get a dose of Vitamin D while you relax. If this isn’t an option, look for a spot that’s quiet and warm.

2. Sort out your seating

Once you find the perfect spot, it’s time to get the seating right. You may be happy with a thick rug and a bunch of scatter cushions on the floor, or for a more permanent nook an armchair or bench seat like the one below are great options.

The armchair we used in the video above is from Adairs or check out Temple & Webster for a huge range of occasional chairs at hard-to-beat prices.

While you can also buy bench seats, with a little DIY know-how you can create a custom-look bench seat for a fraction of the cost. Use flatpack furniture, such as the Smastad storage bench from IKEA, add a bench cushion on top (for a perfect fit, check out this article on getting custom cushions made) and finish the space with cushions and throws.

Bench seat
Cosy seating nook in Courtney’s fabulous Scandi home renovation | See all the before and after pics here

Just because you need a comfortable spot to relax, it doesn’t mean you have to limit your options to a chair or the ground — a hanging chair or hammock can be heavenly!

Hanging swing chair in pink neutral bedroom
As seen in the Barefoot Bay Villa | Take the tour

3. Create layers

With the seating sorting, it’s time to make it cosy. Do this by adding cushions in gorgeous winter textures (think knits, velvet and sheepskin) and throws… lots of throws!

You can also throw down a small rug or sheepskin on the floor so you’ll be warm underfoot.

4. Add a rest for your cuppa

It’s hard to relax when you don’t have somewhere to rest your coffee (or wine) so look at your space and consider what options would work best. Side tables are most popular but you could get creative and consider a wall shelf or something integrated into your bench seat.

Side table next to armchair
An essential part of a cosy seating nook is having somewhere to rest a warm drink… or wine!

5. Get the lighting right

Whether your nook is for reading, working or snoozing, it’s essential to get the lighting right. Do you need direct lighting for reading or softer lighting that won’t glare against screens? Check out our helpful tips on how to create a lighting plan.

White Boucle armchair
Fabulous armchair from Anthropologie with task lighting is the perfect reading nook

6. Embrace scent

Use scent to help you unwind. You could burn one of your favourite candles or check out our round up of the best winter-scent candles here — it will have your cosy seating nook smelling heavenly and provide ambient lighting. Win win.

Otherwise, diffusing essential oils is another fab way to introduce a relaxing scent in your space.

For the ultimate day spa blend, mix a few drops of each of these essential oils:

  • Peppermint
  • Rosemary
  • Lavender 
  • Bergamot
  • Orange, and
  • Ylang Ylang.
Tub chair and gold side table in guest bedroom The Block 2020 Daniel and Jade
Daniel and Jade created this dreamy seating nook on The Block | See all the bedroom reveals

7. Finish with thoughtful accessories

Add some warmth and personality to your nook with special items that make you happy. A hanging planter, artwork or photos are some ideas to complete your nook.

Do you have other suggestions on how to create a cosy nook in your home? Share them in the comments below!

More styling articles

Reading nook in bedroom by window
Beautiful bench seat nook in the bedroom of The Pause House | Take the full home tour

Disclaimer: this article was first published in June 2015 and has been updated with new information and images. It contains some affiliate links. This means that when you click on a link and purchase something from that site, we may make a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Gina Beschorner Style Curator

Welcome to Style Curator, your destination for daily interiors inspiration, styling tips, reno advice, home tours and DIY projects!

We're on a mission to help you create a home you love. And with plenty of tips and tricks, tutorials and other home inspo, we give you all the tools to achieve it!

I’m Gina, Founder and Interior Designer, and you can read more about Style Curator here.

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    2 COMMENTS

    1. How gorgeous those spaces are, now I need to search where I could put one in my house. Generally I just rest in bed but I’d love to have a little sanctuary like this too.

      • Glad we could inspire you Genes! Hopefully you find a special spot in your home so you can have one of your own 🙂

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