It’s almost the end of February and the motivation for New Year’s resolutions is fading with plunging temperatures. In the cold, the daily commute can be truly brutal. When you walk in your front door, your home should be a cozy place to thaw out. Utilizing the fireplace can help, but to get the whole winter oasis effect, here are a few ways to make your home a cozy, warm spot to watch the snow fall.

Untitled 09, from the series “Cast by reflection”, by Paul Kowalow $650 on Zatista.com

According to Apartment Therapy, low-hung artwork can help visually lower a bedroom’s tall ceiling, and dark colors can help make the space feel more manageable. If you have a spacious room that feels overwhelming in the cold months, adding some artwork can help make the space feel cozier. Paul Kowalow’s piece has a comforting warmth perfect for this effect. You can also add a few blankets to the foot of your bed, or a small bench with pillows to get that comfy feel.

Picture source Apartment Therapy

Lighting is also important. In the living room, make sure the lighting is not too harsh. Switch out the bright, fluorescent lights for candles and string lights. It’s the perfect curl-up-with-a-book lighting that makes the room comfortable. Open the curtains too. Snow can reflect light, making the light pouring in the window even brighter. The natural light brings warmth to the room even when it’s cold out.

Secret Garden by Christine Lindstrom $3,400 on Zatista.com

hot pink square bleed no. 7 by lela altman $3,800 on Zatista.com

Painting a room a warmer color can add to the room’s comfort. If you are thinking about changing the color of your walls, but don’t want to commit to it all year round, there are alternatives. On a large wall, PopSugar suggests adding a curtain-wall to gain some visual interest. The bulk of the fabric gives the room a cozy effect. You can also add oversized art like these Zatista pieces, above a bed or over the back of a couch for a similar effect.

In The Morning by John Pacer $725 on Zatista.com

The cold tile and empty walls of a bathroom can make it feel like the coldest room in the house (and in my house it is). Add some plush towels and bathmats, light some candles or add a scented wall plug-in with warm scents like rosemary or pumpkin to increase the sensation of warmth. Put art on your walls too! The bathroom doesn’t have to be plain; you can decorate it like any other room to make it homey. Now you won’t feel the need to shiver waiting for the shower to heat up every morning.

Picture source: Real Simple

Mix things up in the room. Real Simple suggests pairing soft materials with rich or hard materials to create a tactile interplay. The intriguing surfaces make you want to sit and stay awhile. You can also try layering carpets in the room to create another textural change. Plus two carpets will be warm on your feet and stop heat loss through the floor.

Get cozy! Whether it’s a snow day, rest day, or a regular Thursday, make sure your home is a comfy place to wait out the cold this winter.