I don't care for the showroom atmosphere either. My home would be cozier if everyone would pick up their clothes and shoes. DH is the worst culprit with his shoes!

I agree. Our house is 60 years old. Its all hardwood floors and alot of big windows. It reminds me of an old farmhouse, where you come in kick your shoes off and relax. All my furniture is distressed. My kids love the fact that I don't care if it gets banged up, it adds to the charm.

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Kalen


Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.
Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

Here are a few of mine:

1. Smells of home cooked meals (or in my case, some great room fresheners when I don't have time to cook! - Pier One has a great pumpkin-scented one)
2. Comfortable, functional furniture
3. Fireplace (or candles if you don't have one), otherwise soft vs. harsh lighting
4. Personality - could be through pictures, artwork or other things but it should be something that would make whoever walks in say, "Yes, this is definitely so-and-so's house"

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I really like my house to be clean and organized. But just as much I also want it to be cozy. I burn candles every day (tried to cut back to save money, but I love my candles way too much!). We have soft fluffy blankets on the couch and chair. When I think of cozy I think of candles, blankets, and laughter. I do not want a sterile or show room house (as I heard you all call it). I want something comfortable.

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Jenifer
Proud wife to one amazing man
Proud mom to four awesome kids

Fall is my favorite season!
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight." Proverbs 3:5-6

I was born and rasied in Seattle and there is something really comfy and cozy listening to the rain hitting my windows. I love the rain and can't imagine living somewhere where it doesn't rain all the time.

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Kalen


Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall.
Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

A reading or rocking chair and lamp. Not just a throw, but a quilt or comforter for snuggling on the couch. Food smells, nothing artificial or chemically. (I can't even enter Bed Bath and Beyond.) Home cooked meals, not eat on the run. My hubby next to me in the morning.

You get the idea. Oh and BACON!!!!

Cathleen

For me, I don't like clutter or 'stuff' around...so I like things clean and spare. That to me is relaxing and 'cozy'. I like a fire, candles etc

plants, candles, the smell of dinner cooking, and family pictures.

A home with some character, whether new or old. I love the personal touches...old family photos, something that a family member has made, something displayed from travels, etc. Things that make a home unique to that particular family. We have an interesting collection of Asian artifacts from my husband's grandparents and country antiques that my mom had collected.

I also love the fireplace, comfy blankets, and candles...and snow covered pine trees in the back yard

* A fragrant smelling house (cinnamon stick, baked apple pie, fresh flowers) with candles
* The sounds of my kids
* Pictures & decorations - I could not live without my "clutter"
* Every room of this house is opening to our family & friends
* Food cooking (but that is rare since I'm the only one that cooks)
* Wood stove on a cold night
* Warm fuzzy blanket on my couch!

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