I love cottage interiors. I also love candles. So today I’m taking you on a gentle Christmas tour of our home by candlelight, sharing 10 ways to make your home cosy at Christmas using simple, cottage-style touches. These are the things we’ve done in our own home this year, and I hope they inspire you.
1. Be a Maximalist
I’m definitely not a minimalist! I love the look, but I couldn’t live with it. My kitchen, in particular, is what many people might call “cluttered,” but it makes me happy. I like everything to hand, and I adore the charm of French country kitchens and traditional cottage interiors.
One of the main reasons my kitchen feels cosy is because of all the decorative and colourful implements lining the countertops. If you saw the recent video where Jeff upgraded our kitchen, he widened the worktops so I can now fit implements and utensils at the back, still leaving plenty of room for food prep.
I recently heard of this maximalist style being referred to as cluttercore ! This style is the first of the 10 Ways to Make Your Home cosy at Christmas.
2. Light the Log Fire
Nothing says cosy more than a log fire! Here in Bulgaria, everyone has one. I particularly love ours because of the beautiful big fireplace that surrounds it and the fact that we can cook on it — the extra rings come in very handy at Christmas!time.
Today I’ve been drying oranges in the stove, ready for decorating.
Having a real fire is one of the classic 10 ways to make your home cost at Christmas, and it brings warmth to both the room and the atmosphere.
3. Use Soft Lighting
Strong overhead lights or task lighting are important in the kitchen for safety, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have soft lighting as well. I love this little lamp on my worktop, and I keep fairy lights around the kitchen window and mantelpiece all year round. And of course… candles. Everyone who knows me knows I adore candles!
Soft lighting continues throughout the rest of the house too. In the living room we have wall lights instead of a single overhead light. We have candles there as well, and in the outdoor room we enjoy wall lighting and lots of candles.
I’ve also recently discovered battery candles — safer, but still just as warm and magical.
A small tip: choose warm-tone bulbs if you want your home to look cosy. Cool bulbs can make a room feel colder.
4. Bring Nature Indoors
Natural elements always look much cosier than plastic or glass ornaments. This year I’ve used pine cones, large wreaths, small rosemary wreaths, and plenty of dried oranges. These traditional materials give such a warm, nostalgic feel.
You can even burn pine cones if you have a lot, or turn them into natural firelighters simply by adding wax.
Bringing nature into your décor is one of the simplest 10 ways to make your home cosy at Christmas.
5. Add Soft, Warm Textiles
Another lovely way to make your home cosy is through textiles — blankets, throws, and cushions. I’ve collected cushion covers over the years, and one of my favourites is handmade by a friend of mine.
Blankets are wonderful to have on hand during the colder winter months, and they help save on electricity too.
Soft, tactile materials are a winter’s best friend. Think wool or knit blankets draped over sofas and chairs, plush cushions in warm textures (velvet, boucle, knit), and rugs or sheepskins underfoot.
The coldest room of all is definitely our outdoor dining room. Jeff has made some winter windows to keep the cold out, and we’ve got a roaring fire in here as well as a couple of heaters. This is actually where we plan to have our Christmas dinner and entertain our friends. Adding cushions to the chairs makes it beautifully cozy.
6. Create cosy Places for People to Sit
I’ve created a little reading nook in the dining room right next to the Christmas tree and the bookcase. It’s a good idea to have different places to sit around the house when you’re having family or friends over. That way, not everyone has to stay in the same room, and people can have a bit of privacy too.
Creating small, inviting seating areas is another of the 10 ways to make your home cosy at Christmas.
7. Cosy Aromas
Aromas make such a difference to a home. At Christmas, cinnamon and cloves are definitely at the top of the list. You can use a simmer pot simmering on the stove, scented candles, or even reed diffusers. And of course, cooking naturally fills the house with delicious festive smells.
8. Use Warm Colours
Warm colours instantly make a space feel cosy. I’ve got a lovely deep red in my hallway, and although the kitchen is white, the colourful elements in my living room balance it beautifully. We’re planning to paint this room a warm brown in the new year, but for now the red cushions give it a lovely festive glow.
9. Serve Mulled Wine or Cider
Nothing warms guests up quite like a glass of mulled wine or cider when they arrive from the cold. It’s one of my favourite Christmas traditions.
10. Use everyday books and personal touches — make the home feel lived-in
Above all, cosy homes feel lived-in, loved, and personal. Whether it’s handmade decorations, family photos, or a stack of well-read books, the little touches make all the difference. And that’s the heart of 10 ways to make your home cosy at Christmas — creating warmth, comfort, and memories for the people you love.