How to Create a Cosy Night In

As I’m writing this, the ‘ber months have just arrived and there’s a definite chill in the air. My children have been back at school for a while after the summer break, and my thoughts have turned to autumn. Although the season doesn’t officially begin until September 22nd, I can already feel myself craving a cosy night in.   

This is something you can do all year round, but at this time of year, I feel the need to cosy up and hunker down more and more. I’m sure it’s the dark, damp evenings. Who wants to go out in that?!

What Is a Cosy Night In?

To me, enjoying a cosy night in means feeling warm, safe, and relaxed in a space that’s inviting and calm. You can enjoy a cosy night in by yourself, with your partner, a friend, or a family member, but it should feel intimate with no more than three people in attendance.  

The Essential Ingredients for a Cosy Night In 

No matter the time of year, these are the things I need for a cosy night in alone. I want it to be a sensory experience, so I focus on soft, fluffy textures, lovely smells, mood lighting, tasty snacks and comforting sounds.

Tea 

In my favourite mug. Oat milk adds extra creaminess and a hint of umami to the experience. In my opinion, it’s worth the extra pennies.

Mood Lighting or Fairy Lights (or Both) 

No big lights allowed for a cosy night in! In December 2020, I hung fairy lights in our living room, and they’ve remained there ever since. I switch them on every evening, and they add the perfect amount of light to watch something on TV. We also have floor lamps, which are ideal for an evening of reading.

A Good Fiction Book or a Comfort TV Show 

For a cosy night in, I want something feel-good. Something I know I’ll enjoy. This could be a series you love or a novel by your favourite author. For me, this would be a book by Kristin Hannah, Richard Osman, or C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series. To watch, I’d choose Friends, The Office (US), or something that takes me back to my teenage years, like Dawson’s Creek or The OC.

The Right Soundtrack

If I’m going to spend my cosy night in reading, I usually enjoy listening to gentle acoustic music. There are plenty of good playlists on Spotify. Another option is to play the sound of rain falling or wood crackling (assuming you don’t have a real fire, of course).

Snacks 

Pick and Mix is a firm favourite of mine. I also enjoy Doritos with onion and garlic dip or a cinnamon roll. A warm dessert is appreciated when it’s chilly. I find the smell of something delicious and the act of baking help with the hunkering down. I love this recipe for white chocolate and raspberry blondies.

In the cooler months, there are a couple of other necessities… 

A Candle

My favourite for autumn is the Warm Apple Pie scented candle. As Christmas approaches, I love my Emmanuel candle or East of India’s Mince Pie candle.

Blankets 

Sometimes, nothing will do but the duvet off your bed, dragged down the stairs, and plonked on the sofa to create something like a downy nest. At the very least, blankets on the backs of chairs and sofas are so welcome. My favourites are the super soft ones from Dunelm. We’ve had ours for over 13 years, and it’s still as soft and delightful.

My Dream ‘Cosy Night In’ Itinerary 

This is a fun thing to do with a tween or teen (or even adult) child. It’s also a lovely way to chill with flatmates and would make a relaxing date night. Of course, it’s perfect if you have no plans and simply want to enjoy time alone.

1. Before your cosy night in begins, consider your mood and select snacks accordingly. Shop for supplies or ingredients to bake something.
2. Around 7pm, pull on your pjs and fluffy socks (if it’s cold enough). Drag your duvet down to the living room.
3. Close the curtains, switch on the fairy lights, and decide if it’s a night for comfort tv or reading. Add more lighting if necessary.
4. Light a candle so the warmth and scent can begin to fill the air. If it’s cold enough, I also light the wood-burning stove.
5. Make any final snack preparations and brew a pot of tea.
6. Hunker down under the duvet, enjoy some high-fat, high-sugar, wildly unhealthy snacks, buckets of tea and a dose of TV or a comforting read.
7. Around 10-11pm, wrap the duvet around you and hop up to bed. Woohoo, the duvet is already warm. Boohoo, the mattress is cold! 

Thanks For Stopping By

I have a lovely collection of cosy homeware, including candles and mugs, which you can find here >>> Homeware by And Hope Designs

You’ll also find more cosy inspiration via the following links…

How to Socialise Offline
5 Places to Read in Belfast
How to Use a Reading Journal