I first came across the term 'cozymaxxing' on social media. Scrolling through carousels and videos of characterful rooms filled with natural textures, earthy colors, and mood lighting, I instantly saw the appeal.
And it isn't just for the darker winter months, either. Think about lighter textures, tactile fabrics and embracing natural sunlight in the spring and summer months, or even bringing softer textures and natural materials, or firelight and candles by night, into the garden until the weather warms up. Cozymaxxing is simultaneously a social media trend, a self-care technique, and one of our favorite cozy decorating ideas. It's all about making your space feel as comforting and relaxing as possible, both physically and psychologically.
I asked an expert panel of interior designers how to bring cozymaxxing off our phones and into the real world. So, get comfortable, and peruse our favorite ways to embrace these cozymaxxing practices.
1. Incorporate natural materials
'Cozy is a deeply personal feeling,' says Jurgita Vainutyte, founder of SEIJAKU Studio, 'and for me, it's never just about the objects in a room, but how they speak to the senses.'
'Cozy is sitting on a sofa that truly supports you, wrapped in a blanket that feels soft against the skin, with a lampshade casting just the right glow - warm, gentle, and never glaring. That’s what I call curated coziness,' Jurgita continues: 'a harmony of touch, tone, and intention.'
'As a designer working with clients across the French Riviera, I design spaces that prioritize feeling. I like to style with natural materials, including linen, brushed oak, and hand-glazed ceramics. I also use biophilic elements to bring nature indoors: leafy greens, earthy textures, even the gentle sound of water to bring presence and peace. I create corners for stillness − spaces to read, pause, reflect − because a truly cozy home is one that supports your wellbeing, emotionally and sensorially.'
2. Set the mood
According to Gabriela Eisenhart, Founder and Principal Designer at Silo Studios, 'the feeling of coziness is really about the experience you create in your home. It's not just how it looks, but how it feels. It's the sounds, the smells, and the energy of the people who inhabit the space.'
'I always have my best candle burning, music playing in the background, and inviting layers of textures, such as throws, rugs and pillows into each space. Cozy isn't a style, it's a mood. It's those little everyday rituals that make a house feel like home.'
There's nothing like a gorgeous new quilt to bring a luxurious sense of comfort and this one from Anthropologie ticks the texture and style boxes
Swatches of ivory, grey, and beige add depth and dimension to this neutral rug, which features a textured, washable top layer
A selection of your best throw pillows will inject some personality and coziness into your reading nook or sofa seating.
3. Add a comforting fragrance
Before Elissa Hall became the Lead Designer at EDH interiors, she worked with leading hospitality companies, including Airbnb and Vacasa, to make holiday houses feel like homes. She believes that 'scent is one of the most ignored elements of design, but it anchors recall and mood as much as anything else.'
'Candles are nice, but I also like putting a spring simmer pot on the stove. Things like citrus peels and a sprigs of flowers and seasonal herbs can create the best home fragrance that suggests there’s a caring human behind the front door.'
There's something zingy about this pomegranate scent, spiked with pink pepper and warmed with guaiacwood.
For a simpler scent to soothe your senses, try this blend of essential oils, including rose, geranium, and chamomile.
This Diptyque favorite lingers long after the first spritz to fill your home with juicy berry fragrance by day and night
4. Create a cozy color palette
'Colour temperature makes an enormous difference to the mood of a room,' says Ann Marie Cousins, founder of AMC Designs. 'Warm color schemes on the red, orange and yellow spectrum can really help to bring comfort to your home in the colder months, especially if you have some rooms that do not benefit from a lot of natural daylight.'
'A room could have the benefit of warm sun throughout the day in summer, but if you have used cool color schemes, such as greys, blues and purples, the sudden lack of sun could result in the space feeling cold and unwelcoming. Don’t panic, you don't need to redecorate everything. You could add visual interest and bring cozy paint colors into the scheme, such as more intense navy and warm golds, through upholstery or textiles.'
5. Dim the lights
'Soft lighting and dimmable lights using warm-toned bulbs add instant coziness and intimacy,' says Head of Living, Katrina Harper-Lewis. 'Opt for the best lightbulbs you can afford, such as filament bulbs, which lend a lovely glow.'
'And candlelight isn't just for winter. It can really uplift a room in the spring and summer months, especially as dusk starts to close in. Look for glass storm lanterns, which work indoors and out, or candles with lovely scents to appeal to multiple senses.'
This frosted glass shade gives off a lovely ambient light, whilst the wooden base adds to the natural feel associated with coziness
This glass lantern can be used indoors or out, night or day to create a welcoming glow that oozes that cozymaxxing feel
This elegant wall sconce shows off the bulb inside - choose a pretty filament one in a warm tone - whilst the metallic hardware gives a luxe touch
6. Take the indoors out
Head of Interiors, Hebe Hatton says 'While many associate cozymaxxing with the cooler months, and staying indoors, I think about it just as much going into spring and summer. Being cozy outdoors is just as important, and I like to stay outside for as long as possible as the evenings draw out, watching the light fade. Lighting candles and getting the firepit going is, for me, what summer entertaining is all about.
'In order to ensure my outside spaces are set up for these long, and sometimes on-the-chilly-side evenings, I decorate my outdoor space much as I do my indoor areas – with throw pillows, blankets, candles and fairy lights. I have a few baskets dotted throughout the space to hold cozy blankets so anyone can grab one when they are in need.'
7. Declutter your space
'Visual disorder is the arch nemesis of coziness,' says interior designer Elissa Hall, 'but a clutter-free room can easily look antiseptic. Baskets, trays and closed storage create breathing space and still feel lived-in.'
'I've worked with a client who thought her open shelving looked busy and cold, despite holding objects of sentimental value. So, we organized everything into visual territories − wood tones here, white ceramics there – and her place finally looked like it’d been curated, not cluttered.'
'I've learned that cozy does not necessarily mean more stuff,' Elissa continues: 'it means displaying your stuff in a more thoughtful fashion.' If you need a little help getting started, consult our bumper guide of decluttering tips.
Meet our experts
Cozymaxxing is all about embracing colors, textures, scents and objects that epitomise relaxation, reflect your personality and help you to design a home that feels like you.
