What's making your home less cozy? I asked interior designers, and they agree that these 11 design choices are negatively impacting your interiors

Imagine this – you come home after a long day, and rather than feeling at ease when you walk through your front door, you feel uncomfortable, stiff, and even a bit anxious. You wonder: what's making my home less cozy? I'll tell you – it's your design choices.

You see, every design choice makes an impact on a room. Sure, these choices alter how the room looks, but they also can effect how it feels, and ultimately, how you feel in that space. Choose the wrong decor, the wrong lighting, or the wrong layout, and the rooms in your home run the risk of feeling uninviting and certainly not cozy.

So, to ensure that our homes look and feel cozy, I asked designers to explain all of the design choices that make a home less cozy, and they did not hold back. These are what details designers say are ruining the atmosphere of your home, plus tips on how to fix them to ensure comfortable and inviting cozy room ideas.

1. A poor lighting scheme

Out of all of the interior designers that I consulted for this story, every single one of them agreed that there is one singular feature that will always make a home feel less cozy. That is – poor lighting.

'Bad lighting is something that can ruin the prettiest of rooms,' designer Nancy Davilman tells me. 'Lights that are too bright or too harsh make a room feel cold and brittle, not to mention that they are completely unflattering for all skin tones!' Poor lighting can also make you feel uncomfortable, and no one wants that in their home.

So, how do you ensure coziness in your home with lighting? Layer your lighting. 'Having a combination of soft lighting through lamps and alternate fixtures in addition a to above lighting is very important to making a home cozy,' interior designer Nureed Saeed explains. 'Also, don’t forget dimmers to be able to manage the mood of the lighting. Designers can help ensure the temperature of the lighting and disbursement of your lighting is balanced to maximize the cozy vibes,' she continues.

Don't let yourself suffer in a home with uncomfortable lighting. Like Nureed said, try combining table lamps, wall sconces, and overhead lighting. Distributing light in layered way can instantly make any room of your home feel more cozy.

2. Relying too heavily on one material

Relying too much on one material is bound to make your home feel less cozy, even if it's a material that you love. For instance, if your entire house is decked out with marble floors, decorating with marble and marble decor might feel a bit cold and uninviting. The same can happen with wood. As much as we love wood's natural texture and inherently inviting appeal, too much of it can look overwhelming and cause your home to feel less cozy.

'When a room relies too heavily on one material, it can fall flat,' designer Elizabeth Vergara explains. 'Mixing in knits, natural materials, and soft textiles brings in that cozy feel.' It's important to incorporate a healthy mix of materials to make a room feel more cozy. The varying textures of these materials can create visual as well as sensory appeal.

As designer Andrea Sinkin explains, 'textiles are very important to mix. You need a mix of nubby, soft, cozy, and cool. For example, fake fur, linen, chenille... you need different textures and balance between them to make [a room] feel cozy.'

3. Awkward layouts

Once upon a time, open floor plans were all anyone wanted in their homes. From open plan living rooms to open plan kitchens, we used to be so obsessed with removing walls to create one giant room. Although the trend pendulum is swinging back in the direction of closed-concept spaces nowadays, both open plan and closed-concept spaces rely on one crucial detail: zoning. And if the zoning is off, your home can instantly feel less cozy.

What exactly do I mean by zoning in interior design? Zoning refers to the layout of a room – it's a way to create flow by organizing furniture in a way that makes specific 'zones' within the room. If that layout is awkward, it can make your home feel uninviting and even unattractive. To solve the awkward layout problem, here's a tip from Andrea Sinkin: 'allow no more than 18 inches between the coffee table and the sofa – otherwise you feel like everything is separate little islands,' she explains.

On a similar note, designer Hannah Griffiths advises to pay attention to sizing of your furniture, as it plays a major role in the overall layout of your space. According to Hannah, oversized furniture that overwhelms the room can easily make a home less cozy. The same goes for furnishings that are too small. 'Scale is everything in comfort,' Hannah says. Finding that happy medium will ensure comfort and coziness in your home.

4. Bare walls

Don't get me wrong, I love minimalist interiors. There's something so sleek and clean about a room that only features that which is necessary. That said, there's a difference between a minimalist room and a room that's completely void of decor. Minimalism can be warm and cozy, as demonstrated by the warm minimalist trend, but a lack of decor – especially on your walls – can make your home feel less than cozy.

As Hannah Griffiths explains to me, bare walls are a tell-tale sign of an uncomfortable home. 'Minimalism is chic, but a lack of texture and art makes a space feel sterile,' Hannah says. That's why it's important to use wall space to your advantage.

To make your walls more lively, consider creating a gallery wall of family photos, hang artwork that you've been collecting over the years, or hang mirrors to give the illusion of more space. Even if you want to keep it minimal, one wall decoration is better than none.

5. Only decorating with brand new, big-box furniture and decor

As much as we love to shop at big-box retailers for furniture deals and home decor, it's important not to rely on these brands to furnish your entire home. According to designer Terri Brien, this can definitely make your home less cozy.

'One of the biggest mistakes I see in homes that don’t feel cozy is when everything is brand new and straight from retail showrooms,' Terri tells me. 'Spaces filled only with mass-produced pieces, where every surface feels untouched and every object is devoid of true character, often lack the soul and depth that come with layering in items with history, patina, and texture.'

While you can still shop at these retailers (I know I certainly do), be sure to do so within reason. For instance, if you purchased your couch from a big-box retailer, maybe try to find some accent chairs from your local antique shop. Don't forget to consider custom, too. Although it might be more expensive, custom furniture and decor can make your house feel much more personal, and in turn, more cozy.

6. No vintage finds

Decorating with vintage can make your home feel more cozy, without a doubt. As Terri Brien explains, 'a home without vintage or artisanal elements often feels a little too perfect, almost like a model home or straight out of a retail store display. There’s no sense of history, no warmth or layers that tell a story,' she tells me.

Vintage decor adds character to your home and can make it more of an inviting space, which, in turn, makes the space much more cozy than a home without it. 'Vintage pieces, whether it’s a timeworn wood table, upholstered stool, or a unique vessel – bring soul and depth to a room new pieces just can't,' Terri explains. 'They create those small moments that make a space feel collected over time instead of being delivered and assembled all at once.'

Now I know, vintage shopping isn't always the easiest thing to do. But consider popping into your local antique store, or take a look at vintage furnishings on eBay. You never know what treasure you might find.

7. The 'all-white' look

There's certainly nothing wrong with all white room ideas, however, sometimes they can look a bit uninteresting. As Terri Brien explains: 'while white can be beautiful, when it’s used everywhere it can and will flatten a space and strip away the warmth and dimension that make a home feel inviting and lived in.' Too much white certainly doesn't feel cozy.

Interior designer Monique Holland agrees, and recommends avoiding a color scheme of only cool colors – it can make a home feel just as sterile as an all-white interior. 'Try adding color to spaces – especially contemporary spaces with all white furniture and walls – to bring an inviting look into the space,' Monique advises. And when in doubt, follow the 30-60-10 rule. 'This will help with balancing the space,' she says.

You might be wondering where to begin when choosing a color scheme, and especially a color scheme that can help make your home feel more cozy. According to interior designer Patti Woods, consider a color's undertones. 'Try anything with golden or yellow undertones for added warmth,' Patti recommends. 'Also, in a non-white room, consider painting the ceiling the same color as the walls for more of a cocoon feel.'

Have it be known – room color ideas have a great impact on the coziness of a room, so choose wisely.

8. Not enough rugs

Rugs are a dependable decor feature that can almost always make your home feel warm and inviting. And as interior designer Colleen Simonds explains, you home runs the risk of not feeling cozy if you don't incorporate enough area rugs and/or carpeting in its design scheme.

'Soft, warm textures underfoot make such a difference in how you experience your home,' Colleen explains. That's why rugs are so important to incorporate in the design of a room. 'They also help to absorb sound so everything isn't echoing like crazy. The more carpeting, the better – it will always work to add warmth and coziness,' she tells me.

Here's a flooring idea – rather than just adding one rug to your room, consider layering. As Patti Woods suggests: 'Incorporate layered rugs – for instance, use a jute or sisal as the foundation and layer a Turkish Kilim on top.' Aside from making your room feel more cozy, layered rugs can add a level of style and uniqueness.

9. Bare windows

Window treatments in a room are like sweaters to an outfit – you might not always need them, but without them, you run the risk of feeling cold and uncomfortable. The same goes for a house. Without window coverings, a room can look like it's missing something, and it might even feel less cozy.

There are lots of different types of window treatments, from shades and blinds to curtains and drapes. And while all of them have the potential to make a room feel more cozy, beware – not all window treatments can produce the same level of comfort. 'If your rooms lack draperies and only have blinds, the room can feel cold and sterile,' Monique Holland remarks. 'The draperies can be a solid color or contain a pattern as either will bring warmth to a space; however, if your backdrop is the woods or greenery, the view could add the right amount of softness to complete the space while still feeling cozy.'

Despite the fact that they are often considered an afterthought in interior design, window treatments have the potential to make a big impact on both the look and feel of a room.

10. Too much clutter

Look, I'm all for the 'more is more' maximalist mentality. But sometimes, more is simply too much. Too many 'things' – whether that be too much furniture, decor, or even tabletop trinkets – can make your home feel overwhelming and certainly not cozy.

'Whether it’s the wrong scale of furniture, an eclectic space, or a lot of accessories and collectibles all over the place, it can make your space feel chaotic and messy,' Monique Holland explains. Nancy Davilman shares the same sentiment. 'Too much stuff all over the place can cause anxiety and other feelings of discomfort,' she tells me.

That's why it's important to tone down the clutter, consult storage ideas, and make sure that each piece of furniture or decor has a proper home within your home. As Monique explains: 'try making the space feel less overstuffed and add more symmetry. Trying limiting the display of items to one table or cabinet. On a budget? Try repurposing items from one space to reduce the furniture items in the existing space.'

11. Not enough personal details

There's nothing more cozy than a home that truly feels like yours. Even if you rent your home or apartment, it's important to decorate the space with furniture and accessories that speak to your personality and your taste. Without that, your home runs the risk of feeling less cozy, even if that's not your intent.

'An 'uncozy' room is one that is devoid of personality and personalization,' Nancy Davilman explains. 'If a room is too bare and doesn’t feel loved by its occupant, that creates a cold feeling that I wouldn’t want to spend time in. Not having any personal elements in a room makes it feel like it isn’t important and is uncared for.'

So, how do you design a home that feels like you? By decorating it with the things you love, of course! Add personal artwork to the walls, incorporate colors that speak to your personality, and don't be afraid to make your home a little bit weird. After all, it is your space. No one else's opinion matters.

Now you know – every design choice you make greatly influences the coziness of your home. Stay up to date with cozy decorating ideas to ensure your home is a place for peace, comfort, and relaxation.