50 Colorful, Cozy Spaces

Take comfort with these easy decorating tips to stay beach-weather warm even as the temperature begins to drop.

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Nature Inspired

Photo: Lisa Romerein, Writer: Brett Bralley

An earthy orange gives just the right color boost to charcoal gray, sky-blue stripes, and sheer curtains. The tree bark pattern on the walls brings the outdoors inside while adding subtle dimension.

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Kickback Comfort

Photo: Lisa Romerein, Writer: Brett Bralley

A white modular sofa against neutral walls keeps this vintage-style room warm and inviting. A blend of midcentury-inspired art, fabrics, and furnishings provides the ultimate laid-back atmosphere.

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Vertical Charm

Photo: Lisa Romerein, Writer: Brett Bralley

Floor-to-ceiling built-in shelves let the nesting process reach new heights. Nautical fishing floats in emerald hues pop when placed next to antique-finished basins and pottery.

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Scenic Haven

Photo: Lisa Romerein, Writer: Brett Bralley

Natural tones and a muted color palette create a peaceful sanctuary, allowing a breathtaking view to take center stage. An exposed wooden ceiling adds rustic warmth.

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Cowboy Mod

Photo: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn, Writer: Brett Bralley

Details such as a metal washbasin and straw hat lend sunny country appeal to a room decked in sleek, modern lines. Eclectic finds such as hanging lights and a vintage postcard collection keep the space inviting and inspiring.

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Play Room

Photo: Dominique Vorillon, Writer: Brett Bralley

A cushy Ultrasuede sectional and piles of pillows next to low, built-in shelves make this a perfect spot for curling up with a good read. Add vintage charm by displaying a favorite collection, such as antique globes and maps.

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Singular Sensation

Photo: William Waldron, Writer: Brett Bralley

A monochromatic color scheme makes a bold statement. Keep walls white and incorporate your color through furniture, lighting, and accessories. A bold focal point, such as a piece of abstract art, adds interest.

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Shore Things

Photo: David Tsay, Writer: Brett Bralley

Easy-to-clean linen slipcovers in sandy tones keep this room casual and inviting. Oranges and natural wood make it the perfect spot to put your feet up at the end of a chilly day.

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Natural Sophistication

Photo: David Tsay, Writer: Brett Bralley

This designer used a classic print on window treatments to create traditional coziness. Gentle blues are warmed by natural light from wraparound windows, making this nook the ideal daydreaming spot.

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Warm Colors, Green Mindset

Photo: David Tsay, Writer: Brett Bralley

As if this electric-hued couch weren’t enough to do the trick, homeowners installed a radiant heat system under the floors to keep their space warm while cutting energy costs.

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American Classic

Photo: William Abranowicz, Writer: Brett Bralley

A blend of nautical knickknacks, patriotic colors, and classic plaid provide a relaxing atmosphere for good conversation in this spirited twist on a traditional colonial living room on the coast.

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Wild and Wonderful

Photo: William Abranowicz, Writer: Brett Bralley

A painted antique bed with a sawtooth canopy in red-and-white gingham sets the wildlife tone for this bedroom. The bold color, graphic print, and geometric shape contrast with the bed’s sweetness, and shiplap walls and ceilings add to the room’s charm.

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Motif Matrimony

Photo: Roger Davies, Writer: Brett Bralley

Use timeless patterns against modern bold ones for classic cottage charm with an updated spin. Jump from bright blues to snappy oranges by anchoring them with black and white.

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Twist on Timeless

Photo: Peter Murdock, Writer: Brett Bralley

Increase the charm by veering away from the traditional color wheel. Welcoming corals and golds pair nicely with calming blues and teals. Cover walls with burlap for added warmth and texture.

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Seaside Lounging

Photo: Lisa Romerein, Writer: Brett Bralley

Nothing says sea-inspired quite like sandy hues paired with ocean blues. A natural-colored couch and linen-covered poufs provide a calming influence when matched with a vibrant rug and throw pillows.

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Welcoming Retreat

Photo: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn, Writer: Brett Bralley

A beachy glow permeates this living space. White denim slipcovers and bohemian-print pillows are casually inviting, while woven blinds, textured wallpaper, and driftwood and coral accents add coastal charisma.

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Barefoot Proper

Photo: J. Savage Gibson, Writer: Brett Bralley

Pair a calming, crisp color scheme with geometric antiques, such as these iron lamps and Mandarin-style coffee table. A slipcovered sofa and a sea grass rug make it a laid-back living space.

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Waterfront Hideaway

Photo: Jean Allsopp, Writer: Brett Bralley

Hardwoods and distressed furniture maintain the cozy feel of this coastal cottage, while a loud throw pillow adds a smidge of modern appeal. Generous seating invites onlookers to sit and soak up the view.

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Daydream Appeal

Photo: Lisa Romerein, Writer: Brett Bralley

Wooden armoires and an ocean-inspired color palette prove this home office is anything but boring. Waves of turquoise and lots of natural light provide a relaxing environment in which to work.

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Creativity Spark

Photo: Kim Cornelison, Writer: Brett Bralley

Let a room radiate originality with bold artwork and whimsical touches. These homeowners enlivened an old sofa by making it a guestbook for family and friends to sign.

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Shimmer and Shine

Photo: Dominique Vorillon, Writer: Brett Bralley

Simple accessories, such as a metallic mirror, add subtle elegance to golden, grasscloth walls. An extra-wide headboard makes a glamorous statement in bright white with tailored details.

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Sunny Delight

Photo: Tria Giovan, Writer: Brett Bralley

Bring country charm to your coastal look with soft blues and cool accents against classic white cabinetry.

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Nautical Nostalgia

Photo: Tria Giovan, Writer: Brett Bralley

Nothing warms a space like wall-to-wall wood paneling. A classic blue-and-while color scheme softens this dining space and keeps the wood from being overwhelming.

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Golden Touch

Photo: Tria Giovan, Writer: Brett Bralley

Add a jolt of color to a calming palette with accents and accessories. Pops of yellow on throw pillows and flowers help bring this soothing living room to life.

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Subtle Statement

Photo: David Tsay, Writer: Brett Bralley

Neutral colors provide a relaxed backdrop for hints of color on modern furniture and fabric in this master bedroom. Light draperies allow for privacy without blocking natural light, while soft elements, such as a silk rug, beg for bare feet.

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Peaceful Porch

Layering fabrics and textures adds warmth that you can both see and feel.

Photo: Jean Allsopp; Writer: Anna Lee Gresham

A bed swing piled with blankets and pillows issues an invitation to get comfortable and enjoy the views when there’s a chill in the air. Layering fabrics and textures adds warmth that you can both see and feel.

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Key Ingredient

Photo: Jean Allsopp; Writer: Anna Lee Gresham

Nothing warms up a neutral room like a quick dose of color. Introduce chairs in several different hues, then take the look a step further by adding striped or patterned fabric on throw pillows or seat cushions.

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Equal Relationship

Simple throw rugs also help to soften the look.

Photo: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn; Writer: Kelly Brown Tomas

Use white to balance warmth in an all-wood space. Layers of mosquito netting add a touch of romance while still letting a room breathe. Simple throw rugs also help to soften the look.

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Rustic Appeal

Touches of a rough-hewn material such as a wooden pantry door or pine island complement the industrial look of this warehouse light fixture and stainless steel refrigerator.

Photo: Jean Allsopp, Writer: Kelly Brown Tomas

The honeyed glow of hard and soft woods can transform a blah kitchen into a warm gathering place. Touches of a rough-hewn material such as a wooden pantry door or pine island complement the industrial look of this warehouse light fixture and stainless steel refrigerator.

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Interesting Array

Roomy slipcovered seating enhances the lived-in look.

Photo: Jean Allsopp, Writer: Kelly Brown Tomas

Mixing elements such as pine, wicker, silver, stone, bamboo, and painted surfaces adds layers of comfort and texture to this light-filled space. Roomy slipcovered seating enhances the lived-in look.

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Bright and Beautiful

“My decorating sense was influenced more by Crayola than anything else,” says homeowner Sue Hoffman.

Photo: Roger Davies, Writer: Anna Lee Gresham

This sunny kitchen is sunny without feeling overwhelming. “My decorating sense was influenced more by Crayola than anything else,” says homeowner Sue Hoffman.

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Open Invitation

Use rich colors to pull together a look that’s both warm and welcoming.

Photo: Brian Vanden Brink, Writer: Anna Lee Gresham

The owners of this Maine cottage used locally milled beaded board, Douglas fir beams, and richly colored Vermont slate tiles to pull together a look that’s warm and welcoming.

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Easy Comfort

Cypress wood walls, rocking chairs, and muted colors enhance the homey feel.

Photo: Jean Allsopp, Writer: Anna Lee Gresham

A mix of casual upholstered furniture and antiques make this room inviting without looking overly rustic. Cypress wood walls, rocking chairs, and muted colors enhance the homey feel.

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Charming and Cheery

A refurbished English dresser-turned-island plays up the historic character; open shelving displays a mix of pottery for a punch of color.

Photo: Brian Vanden Brink, Writer: Kelly Brown Tomas

Original wood floors dressed up with a coat of paint add elegance to this cozy cottage kitchen. A refurbished English dresser-turned-island plays up the historic character; open shelving displays a mix of pottery for a punch of color.

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Keeping It Calm

Natural textures such as sisal rugs, hemp throws, and petrified-wood tables add interest and warmth.

Photo: Roger Davies, Writer: Kelly Brown Tomas

Stick with a neutral palette of tans and whites, with an occasional punch of blue, to keep the mood serene and emphasize the views. Natural textures such as sisal rugs, hemp throws, and petrified-wood tables add interest and warmth.

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Modern Cool

Bookcases lend a library feel to this dining room, while glass French doors let the light shine in.

Photo: Roger Davies, Writer: Kelly Brown Tomas

Midcentury chairs freshen up the look of this antique table, and bookcases lend a library feel to this dining room, while glass French doors let the light shine in.

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Add It On

He also kept the look interesting using subtle variations in texture while sticking with a restrained palette.

Photo: Roger Davies, Writer: Anna Gresham

Fall means layers, and the designer behind this master bedroom placed an antique rug over a sea-grass one. He also kept the look interesting using subtle variations in texture while sticking with a restrained palette.

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Relaxing Nook

Tiny windows allow light in and keep the space from feeling claustrophobic.

Photo: Roger Davies, Writer: Kelly Brown Tomas

Perfect for naps or sleepovers, this loft sports a mattress made to fit around the zero-clearance chimney from the wood-burning stove below. Tiny windows allow light in and keep the space from feeling claustrophobic.

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Kitchen Envy

Nautical sconces provide task lighting for the sink and counter area.

Photo: Annie Schlecter, Writer: Kelly Brown Tomas

Opening shelving seems to float on a wall covered in to-die-for green tile running all the way up to the ceiling. Nautical sconces provide task lighting for the sink and counter area.

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Hidden Potential

Interior shingle-style walls add a vintage feel and suggest timeless New England life.

Photo: Annie Schlecter, Writer: Kelly Brown Tomas

Daybeds under windows provide the perfect spot for cozying up with a book―or a mag!―or accommodating extra guests. Interior shingle-style walls add a vintage feel and suggest timeless New England life.

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Fireside Lounge

Photo: Lisa Romerein; Writer: Sophie C. Good

A built-in daybed tucked into a window niche provides a comfortable spot to relax in this inviting living room. With an ideal location by the fireplace and plenty of fluffy pillows, you might not mind the colder temperatures that keep you inside.

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Exposed Elements

Photo: Brian Vanden Brink, Writer: Sophie C. Good

Wood and brick add warmth to any room, lending a relaxed, rustic feel. This tight bedroom makes the most of a small space with built-in shelves and wall hooks.

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Bust Out the Blankets

Photo: Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn, Writer: Sophie C. Good

In places where the sun always shines and “fall color” is a foreign term, use throws and blankets to warm up indoor lounging. The springlike blue-and-white upholstery of this wicker chaise transforms for the fall with a matching quilt, proving that seasonal decorating doesn’t have to be difficult.

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Warm and Welcoming

Photo: James R. Salomon, Writer: Sophie C. Good

A seating area by a crackling fire becomes even more inviting with the use of rich, saturated colors and heavy textures. Replace white slipcovers with reds and blues for an autumnal look, swap the sisal area rug for a stately Oriental, or try heavier patterns, such as the wooly tartan on this room’s ottoman.

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Comfort Underfoot

Photo: Celia Pearson, Writer: Sophie C. Good

No one likes bare floors in the winter. Add thick, soft throw rugs to cozy up your space. Simple braided rugs not only warm cold feet, but also incorporate rich colors and complement the cheery farmhouse style of this cottage.

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A Fresh Coat of Paint

Photo: Mike Jensen, Writer: Sophie C. Good

Wall color is the primary way to set the mood of a space. Pick a bold fall shade, such as this room’s deep orange, and play it up with harvest-inspired accents. The natural lighting through the bay window enhances this kitchen’s sunny atmosphere.

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Pillow Talk

Photo: Collen Duffley, Writer: Sophie C. Good

A room with a neutral palette provides a blank canvas for hot-colored accessories. The bright-orange throw pillows add a sense of warmth and a burst of energy to this functional space. Built-in bunk beds are always a cozy addition, and the overstuffed sectional sofa makes a lazy afternoon even better.

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Soft and Serene

Photo: Jean Allsopp, Writer: Sophie C. Good

Nothing is more comforting and coastal than soft blues and whites. These beautiful twin beds are accessorized for colder weather with down comforters and layers of blankets. The upholstered headboards and romantic draperies lend an inviting intimacy to the space.

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Shelf Life

Photo: Nathan Kirkman, Writer: Sophie C. Good

Trade in bare walls for a built-in library. The rich colors and textures in a collection of timeworn volumes bring instant warmth to a room—and you’re guaranteed to have a good read at your fingertips.

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Shipshape

Photo: Jeff McNamara, Writer: Sophie C. Good

The rosy hue of cedar walls instantly warms up a room. Used in a small space such as this bath, the effect is cozy and nautical―as though you’ve just stepped below deck. The horizontal panels keep the look clean and modern rather than rustic.

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50 Colorful, Cozy Spaces

1 of 51

Nature Inspired

2 of 51

Kickback Comfort

3 of 51

Vertical Charm

4 of 51

Scenic Haven

5 of 51

Cowboy Mod

6 of 51

Play Room

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Singular Sensation

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Shore Things

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Natural Sophistication

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Warm Colors, Green Mindset

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American Classic

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Wild and Wonderful

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Motif Matrimony

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Twist on Timeless

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Seaside Lounging

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Welcoming Retreat

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Barefoot Proper

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Waterfront Hideaway

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Daydream Appeal

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Creativity Spark

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Shimmer and Shine

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Sunny Delight

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Nautical Nostalgia

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Golden Touch

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Subtle Statement

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Peaceful Porch

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Key Ingredient

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Equal Relationship

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Rustic Appeal

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Interesting Array

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Bright and Beautiful

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Open Invitation

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Easy Comfort

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Charming and Cheery

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Keeping It Calm

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Modern Cool

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Add It On

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Relaxing Nook

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Kitchen Envy