With much of the country either in the midst or at least entering into the coldest and dreariest weeks of the year, you may be looking for ways to maximize your coziest on the coldest and dreariest of days.  On those ugly, cold days you’ll most certainly want to stay indoors, stay warm, and have enough activities (and snacks) to pass the time with your loved ones.

As we eagerly look forward to warmer temperatures come spring and summer, you may be wanting to make the most out of your cold days indoors.  Here are some of our tips for achieving max coziness.

Warm  Your Mood

One way to make a home cozier on a cold day is to create a warm mood indoors.  If you have a fireplace, then that’s obviously a great start, but if you don’t, then start by lighting candles in your home and generating a warmer feel inside your home.  Of course, sometimes a little central heat is warranted as well, but when it comes down to the mood, start with a warm fire or candles.

If fire and candles aren’t your thing or maybe aren’t the best for your home or family, then consider adding some warm lighting to lift the mood indoors.  Warm-colored lights installed in some strategic lamps in your home can really change the feel of your indoor space and give you that warm and fuzzy feeling.

Fire Up the Oven

An almost universal way to make your home cozier during cold winter days is to fire up your oven and get some baking done.  Not only does firing up your oven actually heat your home, but it gives you an opportunity to try out some of those favorite baking recipes from your Pinterest boards or cookbooks.

The great thing about turning on your oven is that everyone in the family can get involved in the creation process.  Whether you’re baking cookies, loaves of bread, or making delicious homemade cinnamon rolls, you’re sure to keep the whole family involved and happy with your baking creations.

Hot Drinks for the House

Nothing helps warm the bones more than a hot drink.  From coffee to hot chocolate to spiced teas, a hot beverage can take up your home’s coziness in a flash without much work.  Besides some boiling water and perhaps a few ready-to-make beverages, there isn’t much you need to establish your hot beverage game.

Coffee and tea are always a safe choice, but depending on the time of day, you may not want to caffeinate your entire home especially if going outside is out of the question!  Instead, consider making homemade hot chocolate, a spiced friendship tea, or another homemade creation could be in order.  If you’re already in the creative baking mood, then creating your own homemade beverages could go hand-in-hand.

Bundle Up

Depending on what part of the country you’re in, sweater weather may have set in months ago; however, if you’re in the south and cooler temperatures are just now arriving, then a core tenant of coziness is embracing sweater weather.  Even indoors, where your in-home comfort is a significant upgrade from the outside, a favorite sweater may be just what you need to optimize your coziness.

Sometimes, it’s even fun to lower your home’s thermostat, bundle up with your favorite sweater and blankets, and just feel (or at least pretend) that you’re as cozy as you can possibly be!