The holidays are over, but your home still needs some love. The last of the Christmas decorations have been put away and you’re ready to get back into your normal routine. Before you can do that, though, there are a few things you need to take care of around the house.
After all the festivities, you may find that you're left with a house that's a little run-down. The food, parties and guests have taken a toll on your home—but don't worry! We've got you covered with these tips on how to create a cozy corner you can relax in after the holidays.
decide on a place + declutter the space
We're all in need of a little bit of cozy after the holidays. It's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of gift-giving, parties, and family visits that we forget to take a moment to just sit down and enjoy the quiet.
The first step to creating your cozy corner is choosing where it will be located. That might be in your bedroom, living room or even your kitchen. It may seem strange to be sitting in your kitchen reading a book or doing some light sewing—but if you have the space, why not? It could be a great place for taking advantage of those extra moments in the day when you're waiting for something to boil or bake. If nothing else, it will give you another excuse to make more cookies.
Once you've chosen your corner, it's time to declutter. The holidays are a time for you to have fun and celebrate with friends and family, but they can also be a time of stress. Your home may have been filled with people coming in and out, along with an abundance of food that was brought over. It's important to take some time after the season ends to clean up your space, so you can have peace of mind and more room to relax.
Take everything out of your corner and put it in piles based on whether it belongs in that room. If there are things that should be kept but don't necessarily need to be in that space, put them into storage until they're needed again. This is also a good time to vacuum, dust and wipe down all the surfaces you might normally miss, like the tops of mantles or unused side tables.
After you've cleaned and decluttered, it's time to put everything back. If you come across items that don't have a home (like holiday decorations), put those into storage as well. Finally, if there are things in that space that don't belong anywhere else on your property—like an old computer monitor or a stack of magazines—consider donating them to charity instead of tossing them in the trash.
fill it with furniture
So, what does a cozy corner look like? It's up to you. It could be a chair with lots of cushions on it and maybe a blanket draped over your lap. Or perhaps it's just a place where you can tuck yourself away from the rest of your home and snuggle up with a good book or your favourite movie. Whatever form it takes, it's important to make sure that your cozy corner has all of the following elements:
Comfortable seating
A place to rest your feet (such as an ottoman or footstool)
Lighting (a lamp or overhead fixture)
A rug that you can sink your toes into
A cozy blanket to wrap yourself up in
Something fun + relaxing (such as a book or TV)
The goal of creating a cozy corner is to create an environment where you can relax and be yourself. You want to make sure that it's a place where you can sit down and get away from everything else in your life. It's important to keep this area clutter-free so that it feels serene when you step into it.
The best way to do this is to keep it simple. You don't need a lot of furniture or decorations; in fact, too many things can actually make the space feel overwhelming rather than cozy.
accessorize
While you're thinking about what to do with that extra corner of your home, keep in mind that it's not just about creating a cozy space—it's also about making it your own. That means adding your own personal touches to the décor, in whatever way makes you happy.
For example, you could add some paintings and sculptures that reflect your personality. If you like reading, you could add a bookshelf or two and fill them with your favourite titles. If you're an avid cook, maybe consider adding a small table to your cozy corner so you can enjoy the meals you make in comfort and solitude.
The only rule here is to make sure that everything works together and fits in with the overall feel of your home.
Get creative! You could even try adding some plants and flowers into the equation—they're not just pretty; they also help bring life into your home.
So there you have it: the secret to creating a cozy corner in your home, even after all of the holiday decorations are packed away. Whether you're looking to cozy up before or after the holidays, these tips will help you achieve that warm and inviting space you've been dreaming of.
Now that you've got your cozy space all set up, what are you going to do with it? You could curl up with a good book or watch some Netflix. Or you could use it as a place to get some work done. If you're lucky enough to have the space for a cozy corner with a desk or small table, this might be the perfect alternative to a study nook or home office.
What are some of your favourite ways to cozy up your home? Let us know by tagging @AshleyOfficialCA in your posts on social media!
