Do you long to close the curtains and curl up in a deep armchair by an open fire? Would you love to be rustling up some hearty bakes in a country kitchen? Maybe you covet lazy mornings in a kingsize bed layered with the finest cotton sheets and woollen throws. Or perhaps your idea of bliss is having a long soak in an elegant roll-top bath with the candles burning. If you love cozy moments you’re in the right place as we’ve gathered an array of beautiful homes perfect for hunkering down in.
Whether you’re looking to create a cozy room or you simply love snooping at stunning interiors, these cozy homes we want to move into are guaranteed to inspire.
5 cozy homes we want to move into
From a modern rustic lakeside cottage in Michigan to a converted barn in Oxfordshire, England, these homes are giving us real cozy home envy. Alongside images of beautiful schemes, we've shared some handy adice from the interior designers on how to achieve a warm and welcoming sanctuary.
1. A cozy lakeside cottage
Designed and owned by interior designer Kate Marker and her husband, Leo Cottage is a masterclass in modern rustic style and is brimming with cozy features. Set in Union Pier, Lake Michigan, the stunning cottage sleeps eight people and has a large open-plan kitchen dining and living area, separate sitting room, dining room and three bathrooms.
At the heart of the home is a large modern rustic and cozy living room with vaulted ceilings and rustic exposed beams which links to a small dining nook and a larger more formal dining space. A pared-back palette of neutrals and shiplap paneling throughout brings a calm yet rustic atmosphere while the use of textural, organic natural materials such as natural timber, rattan and boucle beautifully complement the natural surroundings.
With deep sink-in sofas, large kingsize beds, cozy bunks and not one, but two, freestanding woodburning fireplaces - one in the main family room and another in the main suite - it’s the ultimate cozy hideaway. Oh, and did we mention, you can stay there too?
‘It may sound funny but as we stepped in the door, even the "old cottage smell" of the house hit me just right. It made me feel so cozy inside. The way we fell for that little cottage, even before all the pretty design aesthetics were in place, was such a great reminder to me that cultivating a sense of comfort and belonging in a home requires more than visual beauty alone,’ says Kate marker in her book The Love of Home.
‘The cozy crackle of burning logs is almost palpable with just a glimpse at this charming wood stove and log holder perched mid-room, a picture of functional beauty.’
'Nature is where I find a lot of inspiration for my work as a designer, so it's important to me to use those elements in a project, whether it's reclaimed wood beams, a stone fireplace, or finding creative ways to bring outdoor colors in through paint or artwork,' adds Kate Marker in her book. 'By having those elements incorporated, it enhances both visual appeal and provides a sense of tranquility and balance within a space.'
2. A sophisticated NYC apartment with cozy nooks
Located in West Village, New York City, this cozy yet luxurious apartment would be a dream to return to after a long, cold day exploring Manhattan. Comprising an inviting living room, a striking blue kitchen, romantic main suite, guest suite and two bathrooms, the interiors are the work of Louise Copeland who took care to create warm welcoming spaces with a sophisticated feel. Alongside tactile layered textures, Louise Copeland has factored in lots of snug spaces including a cozy dining nook featuring banquette seating and wallpaper from Pierre Frey, as well as an adorable guest bed nook.
‘We made this West Village apartment feel cozy by adding a lot of soft textures (i.e. velvet wallpaper) and a palette of dark colors. While we embraced the darker hues, none of the colors are overly bright or saturated so that the space remains calming and never jarring,’ says Louise Copeland. ‘The cosiest spot in the apartment is undoubtedly the sleeping nook - just big enough for a single bed. With a custom fabric headboard, drapery panels, a Roman shade, and soft lighting, it’s the perfect place to snuggle in and unwind!’
3. A rustic converted barn in Oxfordshire, England
This converted barn in Oxfordshire is brimming with characterful features including exposed brick walls, beams and stone floors. While rustic weathered surfaces bring charm, they can sometimes lack coziness, so interior designer Lauren Gilberthorpe was enlisted to transform the property into a warm, welcoming space using light, tactile textures, clever lighting and pops of color.
‘We began the process of lightening the interior at our client's request, as they found the dark wood oppressive. We sourced fresh, comfortable linens, curtains, plush armchairs and a sofa for the sitting room,’ says Lauren Gilberthorpe. ‘We chose a palette of cleansing neutrals inspired by the Oxfordshire countryside and took plenty of inspiration from the building's existing architecture.’
While the main sitting room is a large, double-height space open to the rafters, Lauren has ensured the space remains cozy with deep, loose cushioned sofas and full-length pleated curtains, not forgetting the statement woodburner and a low coffee table piled with books ready to hunker down with.
'When creating a cozy country home - whether it is a kitchen, bedroom or even a hallway, it's essential to draw inspiration from the surrounding landscape,' says Lauren Gilberthorpe. 'Incorporating natural materials such as stone, wood, and linen instantly grounds the space, connecting it to the countryside outside. Earthy tones like soft greens, warm browns, and muted neutrals bring a sense of calm and blend beautifully with the outdoor scenery.'
4. A country home in Warwickshire, England
Featuring beautiful interiors by Sims Hildtich, this large country home is stunning place to embrace country living. With its elegant, timeless rooms and wealth of characterful features, including large open fireplaces, rustic ceiling beams and flagstone floors, you’d be easily convinced this was a period home but, in fact, it was only recently built.
‘The main house is laid out over three floors, with a study, family room and boot room radiating from a central reception hall. A spacious kitchen breakfast room, which has far-reaching rural views on two sides, occupies one wing of the house. The overall theme was being fun and emphasising the incredible views from outside,’ Gema Broch, Senior interior designer at Sims Hilditch.
'In terms of color, earthy tones such as brown, caramel and beige alongside pretty plaster pink tones have been used. Warm and grounding, these create calming and comforting spaces.'
To welcome the outdoors in, the designers at Sims Hilditch have used a wealth of wood and weathered natural materials alongside nature-inspired prints such as this beautiful Lewis & Wood Fly Fishing wallpaper used in the boot room.
The main bedroom in this property is particularly cozy, with its upholstered headboard teamed with ambient wall lights, table lamps and a deep sofa.
Up in the attic rooms the designers also made the most of the awkward space by factoring in cozy seating nooks. The use of small scale wallpaper, the ambient wall lighting and and the Roman blinds also add to the cozy feel.
5. A cozy cottage in the Cotswolds
What could be cozier than an English country cottage? Set in the Cotswolds with a chocolate-box stone exterior reminiscent of the Holiday, this cottage is one magical home.
Inside the cottage is just as adorable, brimming with classic country style with fun pops of cozy color. Interior designer Laura Stephens took care to create a cozy, welcoming space which made the most of the cottage’s original features.
‘Our brief from the client was ’to be inspired by the outside environment so we aimed to bring the outside colors of the surrounding countryside into the cottage schemes, explains Laura Stephens. 'Our client didn’t want a chintzy look so we focused on really bringing earthy colors and natural materials into the whole house scheme but particularly into the sitting room. To avoid the chintz we opted for tartan wool for soft furnishings and trims to add interest.’
When it comes to cottage decor, ‘I really like to emphasise the ‘cozy’ by layering lots of textures and colors. They tend to be less formal and relaxed and it’s nice to lean into this with squidgy sofas, and natural materials.'
'We wanted to choose an earthy and warm color scheme for this kitchen to reflect the colors in the countryside outside. The cream walls provide a perfect foil for the deep red and help to keep the scheme feeling fresh.'
