How Do I Make My Room Cozy on a Budget? Inspiration From Designers

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If your question is how do I make my room cozy on a budget, you’ll be delighted to know that there are plenty of options that will make it warm and welcoming without the project costing much.

Coziness can come from the colors you select, the finishes you pick, the materials you introduce, and even the decorative accessories you display, and there are a whole host of ways to create the warming ambiance you desire.

We asked interior designers to share the secrets of making a room cozy on a budget and they’ve suggested strategies that can work for spaces around your home and whatever you’re preferred aesthetic.

HOW DO I MAKE MY ROOM COZY ON A BUDGET?

‘At its core, coziness is a feeling. A feeling of safety, warmth, and comfort,’ says Yvonne Keal, senior product manager at Hillarys. Working with color, texture, and lighting can make a room snug, and that needn’t involve a big spend. This is how to create a cozy room or cozy corner on a budget.

1. INTRODUCE A PIECE OF DARK WOOD FURNITURE

Revamping pre-loved furniture in dark wood is a budget-conscious option and introducing an old design to a room can give it the cozy appeal you’re looking for.

‘Incorporate something brown,’ recommends Jena Salmon, principal owner at Jena Salmon Designs and leading designer at nonprofit Dwell with Dignity’s 2022 Thrift Studio. 

‘If a piece has good lines and is built well, it is always worth refreshing. Many pieces are not crafted and built the way they used to be. I believe every home should have a brown piece of furniture – it grounds the room and gives the room warmth.’

2. MAKE WALLS TACTILE

Prefer neutral color palettes? Then consider using textured wall ideas to achieve a cozy feel in a room.

‘Textured fabric wallpaper in a patterned cream or jute effect beige, is a great way to create a warm and homey feel within your space,’ says Courtney Osborne, interior designer & co-founder of Nixon & Co. 

To keep your spending down, it doesn’t have to be used all around a room to achieve the desired effect. ‘You can use wallpaper at the back of alcove shelving, or to create a feature wall or to back glass cabinets,’ she says.

Add throw pillows to whatever room needs an extra dose of comfy. Individually cut and sewn by hand, each pillow features a double-sided print and is finished with a concealed zipper and faux down insert. Keeping an assortment of throw pillow designs on hand is the easiest way to give any space an instant refresh. Available in four sizes.

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3. BRING IN A WOOL CHECK

If there’s one motif and fabric combination that says coziness, it’s a wool check – and that can be added in the form of less expensive elements of a room design. ‘Pillows, rugs, and home textiles will make your guests feel cozy as soon as they enter a room,’ says Camilla Douraghy Fischbacher, creative director, Christian Fischbacher.

‘Don’t be afraid to mix and match colors, patterns, and materials but, in fall/winter, I don’t think anything beats a traditional and timeless wool check in a cozy living room or cozy bedroom,’ she advises.

Make your own mosaic. With our wood wall art’s multi-square design, you have the power to adjust the spacing between each section to form exactly the right look. Play around with the designs by removing a panel in strategic locations or arrange them around another piece to fill out the look. Available in three sizes.

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4. THINK NATURAL

Natural materials can make a room feel beautifully warm and relaxing, but they don’t have to be used for sizeable areas or large pieces of furniture to work their magic.

‘When it comes to making a room feel cozy, natural materials in neutral tones are a great way of warming up a space and adding texture and, all importantly, character,’ says Tom Rutt, founder, of TR Studio. 

‘Think natural timber accents in the form of pieces of an object or small side tables; cushions in linen or bouclé; organic class or pottery vases; and adding in some greenery such as a fiddle leaf or olive tree. Each of these individually or together can make a room feel welcoming and cozy without costing the earth.’

Cozy up with our unbelievably soft throw blankets. Crafted with sherpa fleece, these blankets actually get softer the more times you wash them. Coordinate with throw pillows and rectangular pillows for whatever nook needs a little extra dose of comfy. Available in three sizes.

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5. ADD IN A TABLE LAMP

‘Lighting can instantly transform and illuminate a room to create a comfy space,’ says Tanu Jandu, interior designer at Catherine Wilman Interiors. ‘This can be achieved by using different types of lighting from focal pendants to dimmer lamps. Directional lighting can be used to enhance key furniture pieces by adding focal lighting. 

But if you don’t have the funds for a whole new lighting scheme, coziness can still be created, she explains. ‘Lamps also can be used to add a soft focus and create a warm ambiance to any room in a home.’

Express your style all over your home with a feature-worthy rug. They’re made from a woven, polyester chenille for a soft and textured look. Plus, choosing from our wide array of designs, you’re sure to find just the rug to match your decor. Rugs are one of the best, attention-grabbing pieces to design a room around. Use the colors within the rug to help choose art prints, furniture fabric and accent pillows.

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6. MAKE IT COZY WITH MEANINGFUL ACCESSORIES

Never mind on a budget: there’s a free-of-charge way to make a room cozy. It’s all about the mood of the space.

‘Display your belongings and keepsakes with love and pride; seeing things that remind you of a previous vacation or a market you once visited with a friend warms the heart and makes for a happy cozy home,’ says BIID registered interior designer Naomi Astley Clarke.

A console or coffee table as well as shelves can be used for a display of treasured pieces; books can be moved to the rear of shelves to make room for them and avoid the need to invest in expensive new furniture.

Our outdoor floor cushions are the super comfy and style-forward option for outdoor seating. They’re UV coated to protect against fading and water resistant so you can avoid scrambling to bring them inside whenever there’s a touch of weather. Grab a few to have on hand whenever seating is hard to come by or for a fun option for kids to use out in the yard.

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7. CHANGE LIGHT COLOR

There’s another way that lighting can transform the feel of a room while keeping your spending low: swapping to glass shades.

‘Glass lighting can add a lot of coziness to a room with the light bouncing and reflecting across the surface of the glass to add warmth and sparkle,’ says Victoria Rothschild, co-founder, of Rothschild & Bickers. ‘Colored glass lighting in yellow-based colors such as amber can also add a sunny warmth and cozy element to a room when lit or unlit.’ 

It’s easy to get lost in sleep in our warm yet lightweight comforters. Colors pop on this bedding staple and they will surely be the focal point of your bedroom’s decor. Choose from either synthetic microfiber or our natural fiber cotton. Available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen and King sizes.

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8. FALL FOR VELVET’S CHARMS

Velvet decor is amongst the coziest of fabrics, and with a generous budget, you might choose it for the upholstery of a couch or armchair. But with a reduced budget, add it to your seating in the form of pillows to create inviting tactility.

The fabric can be made from cotton, silk, or synthetic fibers. ‘Polyester velvets are cheaper,’ says BIID registered interior designer Eleonora Romano of Romano Interior Architecture, but you may find that as pillows are smaller items you can spend a little more and get durable and luxurious cotton velvet designs.

Our blackout window curtains are a denser alternative to your standard window curtain, blocking out most light and proudly featuring your favorite designs. Whether you live in a busy apartment or a peaceful neighborhood, it’s always nice to have the option to shut out the sun and relax inside by the candlelight. Available in either single or double panel options. A double panel features the same design on both panels. The bottom edge of curtain includes a 2″ pocket that can be used as a hanging pocket, but beware that the artwork will be upside down for any non-patterned designs.

<< Blackout Curtain Styles >>

9. WARM WITH PAINT

Changing the wall color with paint is a way to boost coziness at a low cost. ‘Paint is the quickest and most effective way to add instant impact and change the mood and atmosphere of a room,’ says Justyna Korczynska, senior designer at Crown. ‘The darker the color, the more light it absorbs – so reds, plums, and terracottas will visually bring walls inwards making a room look warm and inviting.

‘Any color that is made up primarily of red or orange will make a room seem much warmer,’ she adds. ‘Using two or three of these colors together will create a warm palette with tonal interest. Many think that red and orange clash, but they do in fact work brilliantly together.’

Our natural cotton tablecloths are a great way to create the right mood for your next dinner party or everyday tablescape. Each rectangular tablecloth features an independent artists’ design, finished edges and a folded hem. They’re lightweight, machine washable and make an easy decor swap depending on the season.

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10. PAINT WOOD FOR RUSTIC WARMTH

Dark paint shades are not the exclusive route to coziness. ‘If you’re a fan of the modern rustic aesthetic, white-painted reclaimed timber creates a wonderfully cozy look,’ says color and paint expert Annie Sloan.

‘If you’re on a budget, painted white or gray floorboards are a practical and cost-effective way to dip into pale flooring. Just don’t forget to lacquer to keep footprints at bay.’ Use paint to refresh and cozy up reclaimed wood paneling, too.

Dress up your duvet with our eye-catching duvet covers. These ultra-soft duvet covers feature sharp, vivid prints on the front, with a crisp white on the back. Choose from either synthetic microfiber or our natural fiber cotton. Available in Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen and King sizes. Duvet insert not included.

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