Six tips to make your home cosy on a budget

• As the darker nights come in, many of us are searching for ways to make our homes feel cosier, with searches for ‘making my home cosy’ up by +200%
• Flooring and Interiors experts at Tapi have put together six tips to make your home extra cosy this winter without breaking the bank, from mixing up textures to adding mood lighting.

The autumn months are quickly setting in, and with the nights getting darker and cooler earlier, many Brits are longing for some cosiness in their homes. In fact, searches for ‘making my home cosy’ have increased by +200% over the past 12 months¹!

To help people give their homes that extra touch without having to break the bank, interior experts at Tapi have compiled a list of six top tips on how to add cosiness to your home on a budget.

From adding mood lighting to mixing up the textures in your home, these tips will help you make your home feel welcoming and cosy, ready for colder days.

1. Place candles around your home

Placing candles around your home adds a warm light, perfect for rainy autumn days. There is a sheer abundance of inexpensive candles in all scents and colours. Choosing neutral tones will help in adding that extra cosiness to your home. Picking candles with earthy scents, such as sandalwood or lavender, can add a calming and luxurious feel to your home for those chilly evenings.

2. Add mood lighting with fairy lights

You might already have some stored away from last year’s Christmas decorations, but fairy lights can add cosiness year-round! Opt for fairy lights with warmer tones to add the perfect, warming feel to any room. Additionally, if they’re solar-powered, they can be recharged in the light near a window during the day – an inexpensive addition to your home.

3. Mix up textiles

Stocking up on blankets for cuddling up on the sofa is a must! Adding textured cushions in warm, neutral tones provides an even more welcoming feel. If you’re on a budget, both cushions and blankets can often be purchased second-hand in charity shops – and you can often find unique pieces to suit your style. Also, keep an eye out for sale items you might like!

4. Use natural materials

Natural materials such as wood can be used to add an additional rustic, cosy charm to any home. Maybe you found a small interestingly shaped branch on your last walk, or the carpenter nearby has some offcuts left over for a small DIY project? These pieces make for unique decorations and add to the flare of your home.

5. Add lots of plants

Sticking with natural decorations, plants are a must-have. Not only do they increase the quality of air in your home, but they also add a pop of greenery and homey feel to any space. Check for specific care instructions before buying, as some plants may prefer a shady spot whereas others require full sunshine. Pick the ones that are best suited for your space.

6. Decorate your walls with pictures

If you’re staring at a blank wall when sitting on the sofa, then it is time for a change! Add your own photos and paintings to your gallery. If you’re wanting to add picture frames, take a look at inexpensive wooden options. Or, you could mix-match your finds from a charity store. Another option is to teach yourself to macrame a boho-style wall hanger to add some dynamic decoration to your wall. You will find dozens of instructions videos online and could spend rainy days working on your new wall piece.

Commenting on how to make your home cosy, Joanna Constantinou, Brand Director at Tapi says, “With the autumnal months drawing in, many of us may be spending more time in our homes and craving the need to cosy up our space with the changing seasons. From simply switching your cushion covers for more autumnal fabrics to adding the pumpkin spice candle to your hallway for the real seasonal scents, there are plenty of ways to adapt your home this season on a budget. “

“Choosing suitable flooring can also be a great way to add that additional touch of comfort to your home. Softer types of flooring, such as carpets, are a great choice to help create a warm and inviting space. Not only that, but carpet can also provide insulation when fitted with the right underlay, to help save money on energy. Alternatively, if you have wooden floors, adding a rug can be a great way to add that cosy feeling. At Tapi, we also offer a whipping service, so if you have large offcuts from a carpet, you can easily and efficiently turn these into a rug, perfect for budget-friendly updates!”

Further tips on cosying up your space can be found here: https://www.tapi.co.uk/the-ideas-hub/room-ideas/cosy-living-room-ideas-flooring