Creating a cosy corner at home is a bit like giving yourself a built-in pause button. It doesn’t take a whole renovation either – often, it’s the small, considered touches that make a space feel genuinely inviting.
And if you've been scrolling through snug room ideas and feeling overwhelmed by perfectly styled inspiration, take this as your cue to start small. The most successful cosy corners are rarely about square footage. They're shaped by intention, texture and lighting working together to create a moment of calm.
With a few well chosen layers and carefully considered details, even the most overlooked spot can become a place you look forward to sinking into. Here is our five step expert guide to creating your very own cosy corner at home.
1. Find the perfect location
A cosy corner really comes to life when you start with a spot that already feels inviting. Interior designer and television presenter Linda Barker is all for this approach, sharing that “a cosy nook in your house is the best spot to covet right now – particularly as the nights are drawing in and cold draughts start to push through the gaps in your windows.” She also points out that “a reading nook is one of the hottest new interior design trends for your home,” which makes picking the right location the obvious first step.
If you live in an older home, you may already have a natural contender. “You might find your perfect nook space in an alcove of the living room,” Linda says, suggesting a low chair with a footstool, lots of cushions and throws, and a small side table with a lamp. And if sockets are scarce, she loves cordless LED lamps for creating that soft, ambient glow without any fuss.
But even without built-in alcoves, there are plenty of corners waiting to be claimed. Linda loves the idea of a bay window where “a straight curtain rail is fixed at ceiling height across the bay, creating a crescent-shaped nook at the back.” She also encourages looking at the less obvious spots: “A regular corridor upstairs in your house, if wide enough, would create the perfect nook. Or indeed a corner of your kitchen.”
To help your nook feel more tucked away, especially in open-plan homes, she recommends adding a little gentle screening. This can be as simple as “a voile curtain hooked across a couple of screw-in eyelets” or “a three-part, folding screen made from plywood and covered in a pretty fabric.”
Linda Barker is an acclaimed interior designer and television presenter, best known for Changing Rooms. With bestselling books and design collections to her name, she continues to shape warm, characterful interiors across the UK.
2. Pay attention to your seating
Once you’ve chosen the perfect location, the next step is finding a seat that makes you want to curl up and stay awhile. Danielle Le Vaillant, head of photography & film at Cox & Cox, says “the base of a cosy corner will always be a seat – whether that’s an existing window seat or a piece of furniture you introduce to the space.” She’s a fan of roomy armchairs with supportive backs, the kind you can tuck yourself into. “Low arms that you can sling your legs over” get her vote too, along with a pouffe or footstool for that extra stretch-out comfort.
If you want your cosy corner to feel more like an embrace, Rohan Blacker, founder of Schplendid, suggests choosing something you genuinely look forward to sinking into. “Choose a seat that feels like a little cocoon of comfort, wrapped in fabrics you can’t resist touching; velvets and linens that feel like a hug.”
And for something that looks as good as it feels, Julia Bilotta, creative stylist at Sofology, recommends making an armchair the star of the whole setup. “Combine comfort with style by choosing a statement high-backed armchair as the centrepiece of your scheme,” she says. It gives you a striking silhouette to build around and creates the perfect base for tactile fabrics and bold patterns.
Danielle Le Vaillant is head of photography & film at Cox & Cox, known for crafting warm, design-led imagery that blends styling expertise with an instinct for inviting, lived-in interiors.
Rohan Blacker is the founder of Schplendid, celebrated for his thoughtful approach to comfort and design, championing tactile materials and joyful, personality-driven styling across modern interiors.
3. Consider soft furnishings
Once your seating is sorted, it’s time to think about layering your soft furnishings. “For a traditional cosy space, I would introduce warm breathable fabrics for cushions,” recommends Danielle Le Vaillant. "Go for linens, cottons and soft wools or even sheepskins for throws." If you prefer something a little more polished, she recommends leaning into boutique-hotel styling with “rich coloured velvets for seating and cushions, and plush faux fur throws for a quietly indulgent feel.”
Rohan Blacker, meanwhile, encourages embracing abundance: “Don’t stop at one cushion or a single throw; layer them, mix textures and patterns, pile them on and create chaos that feels intentional.” For him, the goal is simple: a space you instinctively “linger, sink in, and just be.”
Linda Barker also believes fabrics can make or break the cosy factor. She recommends materials that complement your existing décor so the nook feels intentional rather than tacked on. She loves the idea of adding “fake fur throws in all sorts of colours and textures,” or choosing richer tones and patterns if your room is more neutral. "I’ve recently noticed that The White Company are selling a heated furry throw," Linda adds. "Oh my! This is quite possibly the best solution to nook perfection yet."
This recycled faux-fur heated blanket keeps you warm as temperatures drop. It features detachable controls with six heat settings and is machine-washable once removed.
4. Nail a cosy ambience with the right lighting
Mara Rypacek Miller, founder of Industville, says that “lighting design is key to fostering a sense of calm and relaxation at home.” She recommends everything from simple cotton-shaded fixtures to handcrafted glass or travertine diffusers to add softness and character.
Table lamps, she adds, are an easy way to create a gentle focal point, with “the glow cast by the gently diffused light” helping your cosy corner feel warm and inviting.
For smaller areas or where you want something more permanent, Mara recommends wall lighting. It’s a beautiful way to frame a seat and draw attention to colour, texture and architectural edges. And if your budget stretches, she advises layering multiple light sources and adding a dimmer switch so you can adjust the mood throughout the day. Warmer colour temperatures, she says, encourage relaxation and even help signal to the body that it is time to unwind.
Lighting expert Ally Dowsing-Reynolds, co-founder of Dowsing & Reynolds, agrees that corners often need more careful lighting than we expect. She says that plug-in wall lights are an easy way to “cosy up your corner and provide a relaxing warm glow to read by,” especially in tighter spaces. Table lamps also work beautifully, particularly those with soft, sculptural shapes. For something bolder in a larger nook, Ally suggests a bubble chandelier to create a standout focal point. Whatever you choose, she recommends keeping an eye on the lighting temperature and sticking to warm bulbs of 3000K or lower to keep the atmosphere inviting.
Mara Rypacek Miller is the founder of Industville, a leading British lighting brand admired for its handcrafted designs, blending industrial influence with timeless craftsmanship and a refined, contemporary aesthetic.
Ally Dowsing-Reynolds is co-founder of Dowsing & Reynolds, recognised for her expertise in creating mood-enhancing interiors through expressive lighting, soothing colour palettes and characterful decorative details.
5. Decorate with purpose and personality
Once your cosy corner has its structure, it’s the finishing touches that make it feel personal and truly lived in. Alex Main, director at The Main Company, believes natural materials are a great place to start: “Using a natural material like wood is a great way to help shape these spaces. Wood offers an innate warmth thanks to its texture, grain variation and soft tones that immediately soften a nook and make it feel more welcoming and grounded.” He adds that reclaimed timber, in particular, brings “a depth of character that is ideal for a cosy retreat.”
Sarah Rumbles, design expert at Crane Garden Buildings, encourages focusing on the little things that make the space yours. “Don’t underestimate the power of small details. A side table for your mug, a favourite book within reach, a candle or diffuser you only use in that space, these are the items that turn a beautiful space into a sanctuary.” She also recommends leaning into colour thoughtfully, from warm neutrals to muted greens and soft berry tones, all of which “help a nook feel inviting without overwhelming the room.” For Sarah, personality is the real secret. “The best cosy corners aren’t styled to perfection, they’re lived in, loved, and give you permission to slow down.”
Alex Main is director of The Main Company, specialising in natural, tactile interiors that celebrate reclaimed timber, thoughtful craftsmanship and the warmth of authentic, material-led design.
Sarah Rumbles is a design expert at Crane Garden Buildings, known for her considered approach to colour, texture and detail, creating calm, nurturing spaces that feel personal and intentionally styled.
Looking for more inspiration? Explore our favourite living room ideas to help you build on this cosy corner concept. From layering textures to mixing vintage finds with modern touches, small styling tweaks can completely transform the feel of your space.
