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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask how to make my cold and sad home cosy?

182 replies

Cacticus12345 · 05/12/2021 13:01

I’ve been away for 3 weeks helping a relative and have returned home to a cold, dark rather miserable (and messy) house.

I live alone so don’t have the family warmth and activity I can see through people’s windows at this time of the year

What can I do to make myself feel better and feel cosy at home?

OP posts:
DontBeCatty · 05/12/2021 15:04

I think the biggest thing that would make me feel uncomfortable and not cozy would be the fact it’s messy.

If you can, I think a couple of hours blitzing the place would be the best and most effective thing to do.

crummyusername · 05/12/2021 15:05

Music… I’ve just stuck on some carols from Kings College Cambridge, if that’s your kind of thing. But mostly - reach out to friends if you’re feeling lonely xxx

HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule · 05/12/2021 15:05

A quick and easy way to tidy, which really helps when you’re not feeling it, is to do a quick walk around with a bin bag first of all to gather up any crap straightaway. Throw it out (in other words don’t leave it in the hallway/kitchen/under the stairs/whatever to take out later). Then go around again with another bag or basket to gather up all clutter. You’ll sort it later. Thirdly, gather up all clothing and put it in one pile to be sorted later.

Wipe down any clear counters/surfaces.

You’ll instantly feel much better about your space.

Then sit down with a cup of tea or coffee for a little break.

Go for a walk, even if it’s just 15 min round the block. Only excuse not to is if it’s stormy outside. You

(You can skip the above step if the thought of it makes you feel stressed/upset/overwhelmed.)

If you feel like it, sort through your clothes putting anything that’s clean into one pile and anything that needs washing into another. If you have a basket for your washing put it in there, or if you like you can put a load straight into the machine.

Otherwise, plan to do more tomorrow.

That’s it for today! Enjoy your house that’s much more tidy now than it was a short time ago.

On cosiness and warmth, as others have said, a few small lamps to add low lighting, a fragrance oil/candle, some plants, cushions and a blanket to snuggle up in/under.

Have you got the budget to treat yourself to a few new things as an early Christmas Present? I love my Emma Bridgewater Christmas mug - I use it daily, and every time I do I take a minute to think about how cosy I feel, how peaceful it is, and all the big or small things that make me happy and content. I bought it this year after quite a few years of wanting one. It’s only a little thing but it does make a difference to how I feel. It doesn’t need to be an expensive mug, just one that you love that makes you happy when you use it. It also doesn’t have to be a mug, you could treat yourself to a new book or a notebook or anything else that would feel special to you.

GatoradeMeBitch · 05/12/2021 15:05

My thing is flowers and plants, they transform a home.

Until they start dying and you don't know what to do about it Blush

Skysblue · 05/12/2021 15:09

Textures. Sheepskin rugs, fluffy wool blankets, natural wood (ideally stripped floor but if not then coffee tables or wood picture frames), plants.

billy1966 · 05/12/2021 15:10

@crummyusername

Music… I’ve just stuck on some carols from Kings College Cambridge, if that’s your kind of thing. But mostly - reach out to friends if you’re feeling lonely xxx
This is true.

I love jazz music or some light classical music humming in the background.

GatoradeMeBitch · 05/12/2021 15:13

What's you budget (both money and time) like? Being on your own means you can decorate in exactly the way that please you.

If your home is totally uninspiring you might want to make it a project. Start by having a sort-out and a deep clean. Then think about whether a quick paint job might lift some rooms (though if you want to be sorted for Christmas week don't get carried away), and then think about what you picture as a really nice Christmas home and replicate it. Tree, warm lights, candles, mulled wine on the cooker (most supermarkets are selling instant mulled wine mix), Christmas music playing or the TV chattering away in the background, Radio Times on the coffee table with a tub of Quality Street, you could even buy yourself a few gifts and put them under the tree. Even on a shoestring budget you could do some version of this.

ScouseQueen · 05/12/2021 15:18

Dunhelm is great for nice cosy throws.

GatoradeMeBitch · 05/12/2021 15:19

I made some pomanders last night. A bag of oranges, a couple of bottles of cloves (about 99p in the spice aisle), and some cheap ribbon. Very easy to do. I hung them from the bannister and they'll smell gorgeous once they start drying.

But you need to think about what appeals to you. Make a list. I think being away from your home for weeks can make it feel cold when you come back. Once you've got used to being home again you'll feel better. Especially once you've been out for a walk, and come home to a nice warm house.

SheikYourGrooveThang · 05/12/2021 15:19

Sparkly Xmas lights
Some throws
Candles
Diffuser, scented candles some nice smells

lollipoprainbow · 05/12/2021 15:19

Fresh, tidy house, fairy lights and a scented candle. Our cat makes our home cosy too!

TurquoiseDragon · 05/12/2021 15:27

Blankets are nice, but my DD has a thin duvet to snuggle under on the sofa. She has Reynaud's syndrome, so the duvet helps more than blankets do. Still has a pretty cover that matches the pastel theme we have going on.

WildFlowerBees · 05/12/2021 15:39

I have a 'room of doom' everything that needs sorting goes in there while I clean up put up some twinkly warm lights, candles nice warm blankets some flowers.

Then I'll sort the room out over a couple of days.

I find closing the curtains, low heating on and having a candle lit with some small lights on makes the place feel cosy.

RedToothBrush · 05/12/2021 15:40

What colour are the walls in your living room?

Bright and airy are fine in summer, but if you want cosy go for dark.

And a nice cosy blanket to snuggle under in the front room (I notice you've gone to cuddle up in your bed).

BlankTimes · 05/12/2021 15:44

Electric salt lamps or salt t-light holders give a lovely warm welcoming cosy glow.

Some pets like to lick them, so keep out of the pets' way.

To ask how to make my cold and sad home cosy?
crochetmonkey74 · 05/12/2021 15:46

A couple of posters have already mentioned this but I would swear by duvets on the settee. I had an old tatty settee - so I bought 2 thin duvets and nice covers I tucked them in tight- one on the back cushions and one on the seat cushions- I had bright multicoloured ones but those teddy fleece ones would be nice. They made my settee more like a little nest as I was coming home and going straight to bed.
I feel your pain OP as I have had a lonely year and have had a bad day today where I have stayed in bed all day- my house is full of lamps, fairylights and duvets- and I just bought a heated throw. Loneliness does pass, but it takes a lot of work.

crochetmonkey74 · 05/12/2021 15:47

I also second the room of doom idea- tidy stuff into there first then tackle bit by bit.

KingsHeathen · 05/12/2021 15:57

@Blossomsbloom

Agree with the above comment, soft lighting and candles. Lots of soft furnishings, cushions and throws. I have a rug in every room as we have the original floorboards and that immediately adds the cosy factor. I've just bought an electric wood burner and the fake fire effect is really cosy.
Could you just tell me about this please? Entirely electric, and no need for vents? Could you link to which you got? TIA Thanks
CurlyhairedAssassin · 05/12/2021 16:03

How are you feeling, OP? It does sound like you're down or depressed. I've been there, it's awful, you have my sympathy. For me, just going through the motions, fake it till you make it kind of thing, worked well. So even if you start doing things that don't make you feel better straight away then eventually you will start to notice that the house being clean and tidy and smelling nice makes you feel better.

I don' tknow what your money situation is, but do you have enough money to heat your home properly?

Alcemeg · 05/12/2021 16:05

If there is just ONE room that gets the sun on it, hang a sun catcher in the window and it will send little prisms of colour spinning round the room. There are loads of different styles to choose from, but I rather like this one which wouldn't look out of place in Liberace's home!

amazon.co.uk/HYALINE-DORA-Crystal-Ornament-Suncatcher/dp/B07VXFSC7C/ref=sr_1_31?keywords=sun%2Bcatcher&qid=1638720233&sr=8-31&th=1]]

Alcemeg · 05/12/2021 16:08

Sorry, link doesn't work. Here's a photo...

£12.99 on Amazon.

To ask how to make my cold and sad home cosy?
curiouscatgotkilled · 05/12/2021 16:09

Fairy lights, candles, blankets, rugs. I love a salt lamp they give such a warm glow.

minimecantrollerskate · 05/12/2021 16:17

I second the decluttering idea. Just set yourself half an hour, but you will probably find that you want to do more when you get into it but it is often easier to set small goals to start with.

If you have anything worth selling, you could list it on vinted, or otherwise just take it to the charity shop

I have table lamps on all side tables, and small battery operated lights draped along the mantlepiece around the ornaments/mementoes that I like to look at.

I have candles and diffusers dotted around, and a really warm blanket from Primark that I can snuggle under when its cold. DD is 13 and she has one too.

The walls are covered in things that make us happy, including pictures from favourite shows etc such as Harry Potter and Friends. We made it a fun living room that we both like. The walls and carpet are plain, so the colour is in the furniture and curtains.

Thedogshow · 05/12/2021 16:23

Simple and relatively inexpensive things to do which can make a big difference:

Declutter
Add some fairy lights
Add a couple of plants, eg peace lily and mother-in-law’s tongue or snake plants
Add a sheepskin to the sofa if you can afford one, or a fleece blanket or something cosy
Light a few candles in the evening.

Look up hygge or scandi Christmas images for ideas.

Antiqueanniesmagiclanternshow · 05/12/2021 16:25

@Alcemeg

If there is just ONE room that gets the sun on it, hang a sun catcher in the window and it will send little prisms of colour spinning round the room. There are loads of different styles to choose from, but I rather like this one which wouldn't look out of place in Liberace's home!

smile.]]

Please be careful with this. We had one and it burnt a hole in the paintwork!