Photography: Are Media Syndication
When it’s bitterly cold outside, and you’ve gone to work and come home in the dark, there’s nothing better than snuggling up in your PJs, maybe lighting a candle and burrowing under a fluffy blanket. These little self-soothing rituals now have a name: cosymaxxing, or cosy maximalism.
It’s similar to the Danish concept of hygge, but while hygge is all about connection – creating a comforting and convivial atmosphere for spending time with loved ones – cosymaxxing experiences are more self-focused, designed as an antidote to stress, fatigue and the general malaise of winter.
It’s about finding the activities that make you feel cosy and relaxed, like reading in bed, a pot of tea in a patch of sunshine, treating yourself to a solo dinner by candlelight, or watching movies in a nest of blankets.
Of course, getting that cosy feeling begins with a cosy environment. Read on for tips on getting your place feeling homely, snug and ready for relaxation.
Cosymaxxing with colour
While summer is for wide, open windows and colours that remind us of beach days or gardens in bloom, winter demands a warmer, swaddling palette of hues.
Interior designer Charlotte Minty says, “The idea that the application of warm hues – located on the red, orange and yellow spectrum – inherently makes a room feel cosy still holds. But also consider other snug and inviting colours such as terracotta and deep jewel tones, which are also adept at capturing warmth and comfort. Another option is rich chocolate brown (like Pantone’s 2025 Colour of the Year), which is proving to be a highly popular choice this year.”
For maximum cosyness (or cosymaxximum, if you will), take your chosen hue over all four walls and across the ceiling to feel embraced by colour. These deep and moody hues can also be used as accent colours in cushions and throws that can be switched out in spring when the weather thaws.
If you prefer neutrals, you can still use colour to turn a room into a warm hug. The key is to lean into warmer colours – a softer take on Scandinavian style, defrosted to include toasty shades of cream, mushroom grey, butter caramel and pinkish taupe.
Our favourite cosy paint colours
Light therapy
Most of us suffer a bit from the seasonal sulks, with winter’s short days and limited sunlight a major culprit. Prescribe yourself a shot of vitamin D by maximising your exposure to natural light as much as possible; open curtains wide, move your workspace to the most sunlit room in the house, and set up a sun-soaked spot in the garden for sitting with a cup of tea.
After dark, embrace the dimness, using selective lighting to create an inviting glow. Rule number one is to always opt for warm, yellow-toned light. Ideally, forgo overhead lights in favour of lamps, wall sconces or candles, which cast small pools of warm light, like tropical islands.
Interior designer Terry Walsh says there are two ways to nail cosymaxxing with lighting – “Using table or floor lamps with warm light on their own is paramount to creating a cosy aesthetic. Or the second choice would be low-glare recessed downlights on a dimmer switch, used in conjunction with floor or table lamps.”
Sugar & spice
Between the closed windows and the whiff of wet clothes (or dog), winter homes can be less than fresh, making home fragrances welcome. But your choice of a scented candle or diffuser can also go a long way towards creating a sense of cosiness. Snuggly scents for winter might include wafts of smoke, amber, tobacco, and cedarwood spiked with sweetness and spice. Or, if your goal is to smell your way to relaxation, look for lavender, chamomile or bergamot.
A lot of the most comforting candle scents come straight from the kitchen: cinnamon, vanilla and woody herbs.
Go straight to the source by baking, if you’re so inclined, or fragrance your home with a simmer pot – combine citrus fruits and spices, such as cinnamon and cloves, in a pot of water and let it simmer for a few hours. Or create a pomander by stuffing an orange with cloves; these can form a gorgeous display and gently scent the room as the fruit dries.
Layers and more layers
If there’s one sense that sums up “cosy”, it’s texture – the silkiness of a possum wool throw, the billowing softness of a thick duvet, or a pair of fluffy socks can make you feel not only snug, but nurtured.
“Layering is everything when it comes to crafting a space that feels warm and inviting,” says interior designer Vanessa Webb of Dress My Nest. The bedroom can be the ultimate rest and recharge space.
“A beautifully upholstered headboard brings an instant feeling of comfort and grounding. From there, I layer tactile fabrics: crisp linen sheets, a wool throw, a velvet cushion or two. Mixing textures – such as boucle, velvet and soft knits – adds dimension without overwhelming the space,” says Vanessa.
Sink into that snuggly feeling by treating yourself to luxe loungewear – cashmere socks or an oversized cardigan. Adding a weighted blanket or a heated throw turns your sofa or bed nest into a warm hug.
Burn, baby, burn
An effectively heated home is essential for cosymaxxing, but if you want your heating with a huge side of atmosphere, a wood-burning fire is the ultimate heat source. The faint tang of smoke, the quiet crackle of logs and the gentle glow of firelight turn chilly winter nights into a hibernating joy. Maximise the cosy effect by keeping the glass on your wood burner clean and clear; artfully stack firewood, or take a leaf out of the stylist’s cosy playbook and add a basket of pine cones.
If you don’t have a fireplace, you can still create a similarly cosymaxxing effect. Electric fireplaces work like portable heaters, but with flame effects. Or group a cluster of different-sized candles on a non-flammable surface.
Related articles:
- Wrap yourself in luxury with these plush bath towels
- The best rugs to cosy up your space
- 6 best dehumidifiers for a dryer, healthier home
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