Create a Cozy Home with These 4 Essentials
If you met me in my 20’s, you would’ve met a club promoter, college student, full-time data entry processor, and part-time waitress, who was always out and about. I absolutely hated staying at home. Ten years later, I’m notorious for declining invites and leave my phone on silent mode 90% of the time. Sometimes I forget to return calls and texts, oops. While I don’t consider myself a full introvert, I can admit that I am a complete homebody and I blame my cozy space for making it so hard to leave.
Your home should be your happy place, the place you retreat to after a long day and the place you feel your best in. I mean, it’s also the place where you spend the most money (rent), so why not make it extra cozy and comfy? With these 4 essentials, you’ll be opting out of social events just to stay in (like me).
Bedding from Parachute
Where you start and end your day should be a place of comfort. After all, sleep is vital to your happiness so why not invest in your bedding? I’ve been a fan of Parachute for a couple of years and have their linen bedsheets (plus comforter). (FYI: linen is best for cat hair IMO). You may have seen me talk about them previously here and here.
If you’re unfamiliar with Parachute, they create a wide variety of sheets, towels, and other home goods that elevates your home vibe. Not only do they have a great selection of fabrics to choose from, but they also have an array of colors that suits everyone’s home. Their price points match their quality and they pay attention to all the little details, which is what makes them stand out the most to me. That and every time you walk into a Parachute retail store, you always feel welcomed and they let you touch everything to ensure that you’ll feel great in whatever you choose. I do have to admit that it does get harder to get out of bed with Parachute sheets, but that isn’t a bad problem to have either.
Vitruvi Diffuser
I’m big on scents and whenever I step into a place that smells great, I always mention it. It always feels more inviting when there’s a good aroma lingering around right? If you’ve been following me on Instagram, then you know that I love Vitruvi. I have four of their diffusers and am always stocked up on their oils. My favorites are their oil blends - boost (great citrus notes) and grove (perfect for winding down/sleep).
Diffusers are a great alternative to candles, although I have both, I use and prefer my diffusers more. While I have my favorite blends, I also love mixing up my own recipes and Vitruvi is always providing further wellness tips and advice on their blog. Not to mention, you can use their oils for cleaning, laundry, etc.
Every morning, I start by turning on the living room diffuser and my Spotify playlist before making my coffee. I will then sit and journal nearby, allowing the diffusing scent to take up the room and ease me into my day. During the afternoon, I turn on the diffuser in my office, which currently has a mix of grapefruit, peppermint, and rosemary. These scents wake me up and keep me productive as I get through my work and schoolwork. I have a diffuser with a citrus blend in the kitchen, which I turn on when I cook and about 30 minutes before bed, I turn on my bedroom diffuser to set the mood for the night. Take a warm shower right before you slip into your favorite pj’s, then hop into bed and leave the diffuser on overnight to help you sleep. Wake up & repeat.
Faux Fur Seat Cover & Pillow (for your favorite chair)
Easing into your favorite chair to read a book or have your coffee with a faux fur under your butt makes everything twice as cozy and comfy. Whether it’s a blanket/throw or a seat cover like this one, add a touch of faux fur to your place and it instantly becomes cozier.
I have to admit that I got the idea from Pinterest, after scrolling through ideas for my place, I kept seeing faux fur in at least every other photo. I found a great deal on Amazon for the faux fur seat cushion ($12) but World Market has a cute one too ($20). As for the blanket, I found it at Marshall’s for under $25 and it’s super soft. Just be mindful when washing.
To brighten up my chair, I added a pop of yellow with a throw pillow I found from Marshall’s as well. The velvet cover is from Amazon though. Adding a bit of color against wood/neutral decor is always a great way to spruce up a place. It doesn’t have to be expensive either, just adding a bouquet of flowers is another option too.
Nespresso Machine
Alright, this isn’t for everyone but if you’re a huge coffee lover like me, then there’s nothing better than having a hot cup of coffee in the morning, afternoon, and/or evening. Why spend $6-7 at a coffee shop when you can save money by just making it at home — in your favorite mug.
I’ve had my Nespresso Vertuo machine for almost a year and it’s honestly the best investment I ever made. I used to go to Starbucks every day and after calculating the cost, I was spending well over $150-200 a month, not including pastries/snacks. With my Nespresso Vertuo, I am now saving that $150-200 plus an additional $150 from pastries/snacks, gas, and most importantly time!
Cozy up with a hot cup of coffee or even make an iced latte, snuggle under the sheets or that faux fur throw, and just enjoy.
For tea lovers, as I also do drink tea, check out the Stagg EKG Electric Kettle, which comes in 7 colors. I was gifted this for my birthday and use it daily as well (mostly at night for my CBD tea).
Cozy is a vibe, not just materialistic things. It’s whatever makes you feel warm and happy inside so just adding in a few essentials to spruce it up will make a huge difference. Stay cozy guys!
