Simple Changes That Make a Big Difference
When the house finally quiets down, you notice things you didn’t before. The extra rooms. The spaces you never really sat in. The clutter that built up over years of raising kids. For us, once the kids were out on their own, it wasn’t about “getting the house back” so much as asking: what do we want this place to feel like now?
That’s where cozy came in. Not in the “throw a blanket on the couch and call it done” way, but in small changes that made our home feel welcoming again—just for us. Here are a few things we’ve done that helped turn our house into a place we actually look forward to coming back to after work or travel.
Make the Spaces You Use Count
We used to have whole rooms that were basically collecting dust. A dining room that only saw Thanksgiving, a spare bedroom that turned into storage. Once it was just us, we started looking at those spaces differently.
Our dining room is being designed to become our huge walk in butler pantry. It’s where I want to spend most of my time. It’s not Pinterest-perfect yet, but it will feel like our space.
If you’ve got rooms sitting empty or cluttered, don’t wait for “someday” projects. Reclaim them now and turn them into something that fits your life today.
Light Sets the Mood
We didn’t realize how harsh the lighting in the house felt until we started changing the lighting. Overhead lights made everything feel busy, like we were still running from practice to dinner to homework. We have changed almost every fixture in the house except the can lights to help it feel more us and not a standard room.
At night, the living room is where I spend my time writing, not like a waiting room. It sounds simple, but a change in the main chandelier changed how that whole space feels. Better Homes & Gardens has some great ideas if you need inspiration, but honestly, even just swapping one lamp like we did in our corner from Kirklands can shift the mood.
Keep the Kitchen Simple
Cooking for two might be a new learning curve for some of you, but not for us. For months, we kept making way too much food out of habit. Now, we plan a little better and focus on meals that don’t feel like “leftovers for days.”
One thing that helped us was clearing off the dining table and keeping it set with just a candle or flowers. It makes dinner feel like an occasion, even if it’s Tuesday night pasta.
If you’re in the same boat, check out my post on Meal Planning for Two. It made our evenings a whole lot easier—and more enjoyable.
Texture & Comfort
We used to think “cozy” meant cluttered or messy. Turns out, it’s really about comfort. The throw blanket on the couch that actually gets used. A rug that feels good under your feet when you get up in the morning. A chair you don’t just look at but sink into thanks to out Costco chair we love.
These aren’t big renovations; they’re little changes that make a big difference. The Spruce has some fun ideas, but honestly, start with what you already have. Use the blanket, swap the pillows, sit in the room. See what feels right as my wife always changes the small things and it makes a big difference.
Clear the Clutter
The clutter the kids left behind was a bit much, and I am not much better. At first, we kept it all—boxes, trophies, clothes, drawings, books they didn’t take. But eventually we realized the house felt crowded with stuff we weren’t using.
Now, we keep the things that matter—photos, keepsakes, the things with memories—and I am working on letting go of the rest. It feels lighter. And it makes the house feel like our home again, not just a storage unit for the kids, but let’s be honest it still happens and it is ok to take your time on this.
If you’re unsure where to start, Goodwill has some great resources on what to donate and how it helps others.
Create Cozy
For us, cozy doesn’t come from buying new things—it comes from how we enjoy our space. When we’re curled up at night or sitting in the screened in porch in the morning, it’s those simple routines that make the house feel right for two.
Your version of cozy might look different. Maybe it’s music in the kitchen while cooking (my favorite), or a fire pit outside, or finally turning that spare room into a reading nook. Whatever it is, make it yours.
And if you’re ready to go deeper, check out my upcoming post on Creating Spaces for Love After the Kids Are Gone. Because a cozy home isn’t just about comfort—it’s about connection.
This chapter of life is about more than keeping up with a house. It’s about shaping it into the kind of place you want to be. Cozy doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated—it’s about small choices, one at a time, that make home feel like home again.
So light the candle, clear the table, add the blanket. Before you know it, you’ll find yourself wrapped up, comfortable, and thankful for the space you’ve created together.
