5 Ways to Cozy Up Your Living Room for the Holidays

This post is brought to you by the Carpet and Rug Institute. All opinions are 100% my own. I am no home decorator. Not even close, but I don't think most of us are. I see images on Pinterest on Instagram or in magazines and I'm drawn to them, but sometimes I'm not sure why. My husband tells me often, especially when I'm being precious about how things look in our home, that we live here in this space. And I think that's what is most important about our homes. We aren't designing them to be sold, we aren't putting them out there to be perfect for a magazine, we are living in them and creating memories. So how can you cozy up your home for the holidays? I've got a few toasty, cozy updates you can easily do in your own home.

5 Ways to Cozy Up Your Living Room for the Holidays

1. It's all about the Twinkle

There is something about the warmth of a candle and the twinkle of lights during the holiday season. Candles are an easy way to instantly increase the mood of your room. You can group several together or choose a scented one that helps trigger holiday memories for you {I love cinnamon this time of year!}. When we add lights to the Christmas tree, I always stand back and squint. I like a nice full tree with lights on it. Want more twinkle? You can always add lights to your mantle or anywhere you add greenery. There is nothing cozier than lights during the holiday season.

2. Switch out Blankets and Throws

I love a cozy blanket and have various seasonal throws I like to bring out. Around the holidays, plaids are great and so are nice chunky knits. You can throw your blanket on the arm of a chair or couch and switch out a few pillows to add color and texture to a neutral seating area.

3. Bring Nature In

Bringing the elements of nature in is one of the most inexpensive ways to decorate for the holidays and make a space feel cozy. I head out to the woods with some clippers and fill trays, baskets and dough bowls with a mix of branches, pinecones and holiday decorations. If you get a real tree, you can often find clippings around the tree farm.   Wreaths look beautiful outside, but why not consider bringing them inside so you can enjoy them too. 

4. Turn on the Tunes

Music has the ability to transform any space. I love having something playing in the background, so why not create a holiday playlist you can turn on. You'll notice in no time that your family is lingering just a little bit longer.

5. Add Warmth Underfoot

Carpet is soft, warm and cozy underfoot. Having more soft spots to land in your home encourages people to gather and isn't that exactly what we want? There is a carpet style for every home. Carpet can help provide a pop of color or provide a neutral color palette to decorate around.  Our family is a noisy bunch and carpet helps to reduce the extra noise. Holidays always bring a lot of people in and out of our homes and carpet makes it easy to clean and maintain as you welcome in guests and make memories. And as you welcome in those guests, carpet also improves air quality and supports healthier spaces for everyone even those living with asthma and allergies.

The Carpet and Rug Institute is running a sweepstake so you can enter to win a $500 Visa gift card. You can go to BeautyofCarpet.com to register and use this link to enter to win.  
disclaimer: this post is brought to you by The Carpet and Rug Institute. All opinions are 100% my own. I wouldn't tell you about something I didn't love. Promise.