I made one small change to every room to make my home feel cosier – these made the biggest difference

Cosy season is officially here, and the homebodies amongst us are rejoicing. As social calendars begin to thin and the weather starts to turn, most of us are preparing to spend more time indoors over the coming months.

Whether you embrace full hibernation mode or not, knowing how to make a home feel cosy is the key to enjoying the colder months. Because at this time of year, our homes really do become a sanctuary. Equipped with the right cosy home essentials, they become a warm hug at the end of a long day; a place to feel cosy as the outdoors become increasingly colder and darker.

This autumn, I'm determined to make my home feel cosier. I wanted to make one change in each room so I could enjoy that cosy feeling throughout the house, and I've been surprised at just how much of a difference each change has made.

The small changes I've made to every room to make my home cosier

Simple rituals to reset your home for autumn can have a big impact. This isn't about spending a lot of money or buying loads of new stuff; it's about simple, meaningful changes that make you enjoy your home a bit more.

The changes I made might look different from yours. The key is that they make your home feel cosier, in whatever way that looks like for you.

Living room: I've added a cordless lamp

When I think of a cosy home, I instantly think of lamps. Lamps can transform a room's atmosphere, and they go a long way toward making a space feel warm and inviting by layering lighting.

My living room lighting needed an upgrade, so I added one small rechargeable lamp to our side table, and it's made the biggest difference. I've actually had this lamp for a while, but it's been hidden away in a cupboard for most of the year because I couldn't quite find the right place for it.

That feels silly to me now given how much I've been enjoying using it in the evening. Putting my little lamp on before I watch something on the telly has become a routine, and that's one of my best tips for making a home feel cosier: bring things in that will help signify to your brain that it's time to relax. That could be lighting a candle, using an oil diffuser, or simply switching a lamp on.

Kitchen: I've added a retro appliance

Making a kitchen feel cosy is something I've always found tricky. Mine serves as more of a practical space, and even after doubling my small kitchen's storage with some handy solutions, I've never really been able to bring much in to make it feel cosy.

This autumn, I had the idea to turn the practical into the pretty. I might not have enough room to bring in fancy lamps and prints (lucky you if you do), but I can make what I have in there look better. Enter, my new favourite thing: a retro-design toaster.

I would never have thought a toaster could make my kitchen feel cosier, but it has. The classic retro design reminds me of being at my Nana's house when I was little, and that sense of nostalgia goes a long way in making a home feel more cosy. I'd really recommend trying retro-style appliances if you're wanting to embrace a rustic, 'farmhouse' kitchen aesthetic.

Bedroom – I added cushions to the bed

I think making a bedroom feel cosy is at the top of our priority list this time of year, and before you add anything, I'd recommend decluttering the bedroom first. A calm, clutter-free space is the foundation on which a cosy bedroom is built.

To make my bedroom feel cosier, I added a couple of cushions to the bed. Not exactly groundbreaking, but I'd always thought of cushions as belonging on the couch in the living room. I didn't really see the point of having them on the bed as they'd just get tossed on the floor at the end of each day.

Now, my bedroom wouldn't feel the same without them. They've made a world of difference to how inviting the space feels, whenever I nip it into it during the day and especially when I go to bed at night. And while they do go on the floor once we're actually in bed, they've already served their purpose – they've made the bedroom feel cosier, which is a huge win.

Hallway – I painted my storage unit

The last change I made to create a cosy home was probably the most out there. I don't know if I can claim this change was small; it took up the best part of a weekend, but I can say that it was worth it.

The storage unit in my hallway was previously plain white, but I've always had a feeling that a brighter colour would transform the space. For someone who tends to play it safe with neutral colour schemes, blue felt like a bold choice, but I'm honestly so glad I tried it. Bringing a bit of colour in has made my hallway look more welcoming, which I think becomes even more important at this time of year. After a blustery walk outdoors, it's so nice to step into a warm and welcoming space.

And a fresh lick of paint has done exactly that for me. If there are any paint trends you're thinking of trying this fall, I'd recommend opting for colours that you feel personally drawn to.

For me, the blue I chose from Fenwick & Tilbrook made me think of coastal homes and walks by the sea, and it's made me smile every time I've walked through the door.

After making one change to each room, I feel like I've created the perfect cosy home. As I said earlier, the changes you could make in your home might look different to mine, but I'd recommend leaning into things that will bring you the most joy. That's what a cosy home is all about, after all.