I like my home to feel cozy and welcoming all year round, but I do really up the efforts when fall hits and especially as we get close to Thanksgiving and hosting season. I want my home to be a cocoon for my guests, to invite them in and instantly have them feel comfortable and at ease.
'Autumn is the perfect time to get cozy, pull on your favorite sweaters, sip hot chocolate, and enjoy hearty, warm soups. And just like with our wardrobe, it’s also the perfect season to make the home feel cozier and more inviting. This time of year, I love transitioning our space to reflect the warmth and comfort of the season,' says designer Becky Shea.
There are some really easy switches you can make in just a weekend to get your home feeling cozier for Thanksgiving. I spoke with interior designers to get their most effective tips.
1. Layer up texture and calming colors
'My starting point is always to try and create a harmonious canvas that runs throughout the house. For me, that’s a soft, calming palette of whites and neutrals,' explains Chrissie Rucker, founder of The White Company.
'Cushions, Throws and a lovely textural rug are always a winning combination for an easy update and make our living spaces more emotive. For light-covered sofas, throws over the end of the arm look wonderful and also protect from young sticky fingers too!'
Designer Becky Shea agrees that when making your home cozier for Thanksgiving it's all about the layers. 'I add layered blankets, typically in earthy tones like browns, oatmeals, and warm neutrals, creating a snug and welcoming atmosphere. I also like to bring in dried or preserved foliage in vases, capturing the vibrant colors of autumn in a more subtle, lasting way,' she suggests.
2. Bring in seasonal folliage
I am constantly foraging for foliage at this time of year. I love to fill vases and jars with oversized branches, it adds a touch of the season to any room. Right now I have a huge beautiful golden display on my kitchen countertop and it's really cozied up the space.
'Don't forget the power of nature,' is the advice from designer Kati Curtis. 'A simple centerpiece with seasonal greenery and a sprinkle of pinecones or small pumpkins can capture the essence of fall, making your home not just a dwelling but a welcoming haven for family and friends during the holiday.'
'I love to set the scene for a cozy Thanksgiving with abundant arrangements of seasonal florals and foliage, housed in rustic-chic vases for maximum coziness,' agrees designer Kathy Kuo.
If you want your fall foliage to last and not go over in a few weeks, there are some wonderful faux options available. Designer Drew Micheal Scotts (a.k.a Lone Fox) has very helpfully rounded up some lovely, affordable options on his Amazon storefront.
3. Lower the lighting
This is such an easy way to make your home feel cozier for Thanksgiving – lower and soften the lighting.
'Adjustable and layered lighting makes a great difference,' says Chrissie Rucker. 'Dimmer switches and the use of lamps, as well as wall lights or lanterns, creates softer layers of light adding coziness and preventing a room from feeling too bright and sterile.'
'And layering candlelight is always magical – a combination of taller candlesticks with lower tealight holders always looks beautiful. And using candle holders in different materials is something I love to do. Clear glass and mercury work so well together, but equally for a more natural seasonal looks of seagrass and rustic vessels look great too. And don’t forget lovely glass vases can often double up as a storm lantern too.'
Cordless lamps are great for cozy season because you can move them around with ease and not have to worry about a plug socket. They are ideal for shelves and mantles, but they are also great for cozying up a kitchen by adding one to an island or a countertop. I love the deep red of this lamp, perfect for adding a pop of warmth to my neutral kitchen. It's touch-controlled and has three temperatures to choose from too.
Joanna Gaines, founder of Magnolia, said this was her favorite candle for the fall season. Fall starts when this is lit. It's a pumpkin scent, but not overly sweet because it's balanced with a deeper scent of coffee. The frosted glass means it also lets out a slowly soft glow, as well as a delicious scent.
These LED pine cones would be perfect for adding a soft glow to any room. I am eyeing them up to subtly light up my living room shelves. There's something so cozy about little pools of light throughout a bookshelf. Normally I use LED candles in holders, but these feel far cozier and ideal for Thanksgiving.
4. Switch to heavier fabrics and materials
'To prepare for the colder weather and holidays I always start by layering rich textures and embracing deeper, more autumnal hues. I swap out my lighter throw pillows for those with heavier textures like bouclés, wool, and rich florals, along with classic plaids in earthy, muted tones. The heavier textures and colors ground the space, making it feel warm and inviting,' explains designer Jennifer Davis.
'The kitchen, too, gets a seasonal makeover. I trade in lighter accessories for darker, more substantial pieces like rustic pottery and ceramics. These deeper tones add a sense of rootedness, creating a comforting atmosphere that feels perfect for gathering. And, of course, no Thanksgiving setting is complete without candles.'
5. Fill your home with welcoming scents
For me this last point is perhaps the most important. When making a home cozy for hosting, scents are essential. Before I have anyone over, I light a few fall candles around my home, different scents for different rooms and it instantly makes the space feel more welcoming.
'I think scent plays a huge role in getting that comfy and warm feeling just right, so for Thanksgiving, I always make sure that I'm stocked up on luxuriously scented candles in the loveliest seasonal scents like spiced apple cider, toasted pumpkin, and cardamom,' says Kathy Kuo.
Chrissie Rucker adds, 'Don’t underestimate the power of scent. Home is at its best when it feels comfortable, emotive, and sensory. I’m constantly amazed at the difference gently scenting a space can make. Diffusers and scented candle we love are a joy and the warmth of a tiny flickering flame is always so magical and makes a room so much more inviting.'
Making a home cozier for Thanksgiving is simple. Bring in more layers, warmer colors, dim the lighting, and a pick a few fall candles to burn before guests arrive. Personally, I am not waiting until Thanksgiving to incorporate these designer tips, I will be making my home an autumnal sanctuary from right now.
