Creating a Cozy Space Without the Clutter
Want to create a space that is cozy and inviting but without the clutter?
Today I’m sharing ways I’ve added warmth and coziness to my home without having a lot of “stuff” around.
As most of you know I love decorating with whites in our home.
All white decor tends to be very clinical or sterile, However, you can change that just by adding certain elements into the mix.
Here are a few ways I’ve added warmth to our sitting room while still having a clean open space.
Step One: Add in Distressed Antique woods to your white decor.
Here I’ve added an Old wooden Tool Chest as a coffee table.
Not only do I love the look of the old wood against the white, but this piece also functions as storage. I purchased this particular chest at a local Antique Store.
I also just added a simple stack of frequently read magazines with similar coloring and placed a small bouquet on top to add a little life to the space. You could also add a couple of your favorite books with muted colors.
We made a wooden piece out of Antique flooring to go above the mantel. This piece has been a great backdrop for Seasonal decor.
Another wooden element I use are old wooden crates, these add warmth and are also great for storage.
Think outside of the box for large wooden statement pieces that will add warmth to your space.
Step Two: Add Plants to warm up your white spaces.
Adding plants to your decor not only brings it to life but also can be beautiful.
Here I’ve just used an old metal pitcher and added a geranium to it…simple but cozy.
I love Pothos plants and here I added one to the mantel to add some warmth.
Let me tell you …these beauties are some of the hardiest plants you can buy !
They are very forgiving if you forget to water every now and then and they also will grow like crazy. I have these all over the house.
Olive trees are great ways to add Life without the clutter. The one I have here is a live Olive Tree that I purchased from a local greenhouse. I take this guy outside periodically to give him much needed sunlight. If you aren’t ready for the real deal then just purchase an artificial one…Here are a couple that I’ve seen and love.
Add herbs to Antique brass containers and display them on your coffee table, side table, or window sill. I find these Brass planters very inexpensively at Antique stores or Estate sales. You can shine them up or leave them with that wonderful aged patina like I do.
Here are some artificial plant options if you don’t have a green thumb….
Step 3: Add A Neutral Rug
Rugs are a great way to add warmth to a space. My personal favorites are jute rugs, but you could also add a rug with neutral colors that has a very subtle pattern… This will keep it from looking too busy.
Here is the rug I purchased…
Be sure to get the pad to go under… I purchased this one.
FYI: Jute rugs are sometimes shedders… I have found that this particular one is a “medium” shedder at first but eventually after time, it just sheds a little. I would definitely purchase this one again. In fact, I am going to get this same one to go under the dining table.
Step 4: Add Faux Fur Pillows and Throws
I would say this is probably one of the best ways you can add coziness to your space!
I love big fluffy faux fur throws and pillows and it’s hard for me to pass one up in a store.
Not only are these throws and pillows pretty to look at, but in the winter months, they are perfect to bundle up with.
I typically buy mine from Tjmaxx or Homegoods but I recently found this great deal on a faux fur pillow that at Wayfair!
Step 5: Add Baskets
I love adding Vintage and Antique Baskets to a room. They add so much warmth and texture to a space. My favorites are these primitive Buttocks gathering baskets… You can find them at Antique stores and also on Ebay and Etsy.
I also love displaying vintage and Antique Picnic Baskets around the house.
Here are some new ones if you aren’t able to find an Antique (these are also more affordable):
Gathering Basket #2
(This one you could stain)
I love adding large French wicker baskets to corners of a room, at the end of a bed or using them as a coffee table like I did here. These are also great for storage.
Unfortunately, they aren’t the easiest vintage or antique to find, but I recently found this new one that I
love.
Also… Here are a few other baskets I have found that you can use to put blankets in.
I also use baskets to put my plants in but make sure you put a live plant inside of a leak proof container so it won’t drain into the basket.
Well hopefully this has helped you as you think about designing a space that is cozy and uncluttered.
One of the most frequently asked questions I get is “How do you keep all that White clean?”
First off I purchase items that are washable…For instance… the Ruffled Slipcovers that are on my Wingback chairs are washable. The covers on the pillows are removable so I can wash them… and the Faux fur blankets are washable , just be sure to let them hang dry DO NOT Put them in the dryer.
So I basically look at it this way…Since I decorate with a lot of white …I can see the dirt on my furniture and know when it needs to be washed.
Just because a blanket, chair or sofa is dark, doesn’t mean the dirt isn’t there, you just can’t see it.
Happy Decorating My Friends!
