Forget the Fake Pumpkins: What cozy really means this fall
Fall always feels like the unofficial “new year” to me. The air shifts, the days shorten, and suddenly we’re all craving soup, socks, and reasons to stay home. But let’s be real: cozy isn’t about how many pumpkin-scented candles you buy or whether your throw pillows look like they came straight from a Crate and Barrel catalog. Cozy is way more personal than that.
Cozy Isn’t for Show
Forget the Pinterest-worthy fall décor overload and the Hobby Lobby faux floral hauls. True coziness is about what makes you feel good in your space. Maybe that’s a reading nook with your dog curled up nearby, or maybe it’s a kitchen counter always stocked with ingredients for soups and baked goods. Personally, I can’t get cozy unless I’m surrounded by houseplants, photos and artwork, with a candle flickering nearby. Cozy is not about trends—it’s about the kind of comfort that feels like home to you.
So before you get too swayed by the latest TikTok trend or Instaworthy room, take inventory of what you feel in your gut. What do you need to feel cozy and comforted? It’s probably not another fake pumpkin or plastic garland. But if it is, that’s fine too. The point is, you get to decide. Be intentional and be proud of the fraying throw blanket your mom made or the chipped mug you found at a farmer’s market.
Cozy is About How You Feel
Here’s the cool thing: cozy isn’t just cute, it’s science. Our brains literally relax when our surroundings feel safe, soft, and warm. That’s why curling up under a blanket with tea instantly lowers your stress levels. Cozy is less about what your space looks like, and more about how it makes you feel. Warm lighting, soft textures, art that makes you feel something: all of these things have literally been backed by environmental psychologists to create a sense of safety, calm, and belonging at home.
Cozy Isn’t Perfect
Coziness doesn’t care if your couch has seen better days or if your rug has a permanent coffee stain. In fact, those little imperfections can actually add to the feeling of comfort. They’re reminders that your home is lived in, loved, and yours. Cozy thrives on authenticity, not artificiality. Now, that doesn’t mean clutter=cozy. Clearing away detritus; papers, dishes, broken things, piles of clothes, toys, shoes, abandoned projects etcetera is necessary to creating a calm and cozy environment. So don’t mistake imperfection for untidiness. There is beauty and a comfort in the well-loved and well-worn pieces we have curated. Don’t let them get hidden in the disarray.
Cozy is Connection
Some of the best memories happen in cozy spaces—family dinners, game nights, long chats that last until midnight. When your home feels warm and welcoming, you’re not just creating comfort for yourself, you’re making space for connection. And isn’t that what fall is really about? Gathering, slowing down, and being present with the people (and pets) you love. To create more connection this fall, try bringing a room inward. Like a hug, pulling furniture closer together creates a sense of attachment and togetherness and physically brings those using the furnishings closer. Pull chairs tighter toward the fire place, give the sofa some breathing room off the wall. Connect the items in the room through literal space and you will feel more connected to those who share it with you.
The Cozy Reset
Fall is nature’s big exhale before winter. The trees let go of what they no longer need, and honestly, it’s a pretty good reminder for us too. This season is your chance to hit the reset button. Ask yourself: What do I want my home to feel like these next few months? If you want calm, warmth, and comfort, start curating your space to reflect that. Cozy is a choice you get to make—and it’s way more satisfying than buying another plastic pumpkin.
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