How to Make Your Home Feel Like a Cozy Cabin

Diaspora Co. Bestseller Masala Dabba & Katoris ($285 at the time of publication)

Diaspora Co. Build Your Own Spice Shelf (from $65 for six jars at the time of publication)

Burlap & Barrel Fundamentals Collection (about $55 for six jars at the time of publication)

Consider turning up the heat in your hot chocolates and stews with fragrant, direct-trade spices from Diaspora Co., which we recommend in our gift-basket guide. “Even a lazily brewed cup of basic black tea steeped with a couple cloves of Diaspora Co.’s Baraka Cardamom and a sprinkle of Burlap & Barrel’s Vietnamese Royal Cinnamon is enough to make the day seem more autumnal,” says Katie. Diaspora Co. also sells a gorgeous hand-spun brass Masala Dabba (pictured above) filled with the company’s seven most popular spices, which would make a great gift. Another good spice source is Burlap & Barrel; Chef Sohla El-Waylly buys its cured sumac by the pound. Katie says, “I also love Burlap & Barrel’s lightly smoky Cobanero Chili Flakes for pretty much everything when I want to feel warm.” Supervising editor Daniela Gorny is also a fan. For the spice-obsessed, she recommends a subscription to Burlap & Barrel’s Spice Club, which ensures fresh seasonings for all your pies, soups, stews, and braises.

Harney & Sons Best Sellers - 20 Count Sachets ($35 at the time of publication)

Ippodo Tea Essential Matcha Kit ($130 at the time of publication)

Firing up the kettle for a hot cup of tea is one of the first things people do as soon as the weather gets chilly. For some crowd-pleasing favorites, we recommend Harney & Sons tea, which is featured in our gift-basket guide. If you’re a fan of green matcha tea, the Ippodo Tea Essential Matcha Kit includes everything you need for the whole tea-making experience, including a traditional whisk and ceramic bowl. And if you need a mug to go with it, we have several recommendations, from ceramic staff favorites to high-tech mug warmers that keep your beverage hot.

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo ($600 at the time of publication)

There’s a reason why vinyl made a comeback: Putting a record on a turntable—like Pro-Ject’s Debut Carbon Evo, our top pick—asks you to listen in a different way than when you DJ digital streams from your phone. As most people struggle to reclaim their attention spans, it’s a relief to commit to a full album and allow it to set the mood. If you’re just getting started in the world of vinyl, our audio experts have recommendations on where to begin, from easy, all-in-one record players to great-sounding standalone speaker options.

Emile Henry Modern Classics Rectangular Baker ($70 at the time of publication)

Signe, who lives in Minnesota, is our source for all things hotdish: a comforting, delicious, warm, all-in-one Midwestern meal served in a casserole dish. We love the 9-by-13-inch Emile Henry Modern Classics Rectangular Baker because it heats evenly and holds a lot. It’s not too fancy for everyday use, but it’s still gorgeous enough to have at your holiday table. If you want something that’s easier to transport to a potluck, the OXO Good Grips Glass 3 Qt Baking Dish with Lid is a great option. And if you need inspiration for what to put in said casserole dish, the tater tot casserole—a true Midwestern staple—is the king of hotdishes, thanks to its creamy mushroom base and tangy ketchup drizzle. Or try one of cookbook author Molly Yeh’s various takes on the meal, like this latke hotdish. For coziness of a less Midwestern, more Sopranos-style flavor, you can always use the casserole dish for baked ziti.

L.L.Bean Men’s Wicked Good Moccasins ($90 at the time of publication)

L.L.Bean Women’s Wicked Good Moccasins ($90 at the time of publication)

Having cold feet is the opposite of being cozy. Nothing feels as good as a pair of slippers to warm your body from the ground up. L.L.Bean’s Wicked Good Moccasins have been a favorite of ours since 2016: The classic sheepskin slippers are notably soft yet still durable enough if you need to jaunt outside. Senior software engineer Jacob Baker loves his Glerups Wool Slipper Boots, the upgrade pick in our guide to the best slippers. “I’d been searching for a good pair of slippers for years, but my sweaty feet always ruin them,” Jacob says. “The Glerups boots have held up incredibly well!” And if thick socks are more your thing, Wirecutter’s Joanne Chen swears by these cozy boot socks (which also helped her sleep better).

Keap Wood Cabin candle ($55 at the time of publication)

Lomar Farms Pair of 100% Pure Beeswax Tapers ($17 at the time of publication)

In the land of cozy, you can never have enough candles, whether you prefer scented candles that emit fall scents—cinnamon, pine, pumpkin—or unscented ones that add a glow to your space and just look good. If you want that woodsy cabin feel, Keap’s Wood Cabin candle has notes of “lush evergreen boughs, freshly cut firewood, and moss-covered bark,” writes senior staff writer Sarah Witman in our guide to the best scented candles. “You can almost feel the scratchiness of a Pendleton wool blanket draped over your shoulders.” We also tested dozens of tapered candles, like the Lomar Farms Pair of 100% Pure Beeswax Tapers, that are not only perfect for setting a festive table but also have a rich, honey scent. And if you don’t want a real flame around, we love the Wick, a portable LED lamp that provides a flickering ambience without the fire hazard.

Garnet Hill Plush-Loft Blanket and Throw ($120 for the throw size at the time of publication)

Faribault Mill Pure & Simple Wool Blanket ($200 for the queen size at the time of publication)

When it comes to cuddling up and getting warm, the perfect blanket is a must. We have tons of recommendations for blankets and throws, but we particularly love Garnet Hill’s Plush-Loft Blanket and Throw, which feels like a cool quilt on one side and has supersoft faux fur on the other. It was one of the fluffiest blankets we tested, but it’s still durable enough to withstand kids and pets. If you want a more classic cabin look, Faribault Mill’s Pure & Simple Wool Blanket is a gorgeous all-wool option. Faribault Mill also releases seasonal versions of its wool blankets.

Sleepy Jones Twyla T-Shirt Dress (from $60 at the time of publication)

Hanna Andersson Adult Unisex Long John Pajama Top (from $18 at the time of publication)

Hanna Andersson Adult Unisex Long John Pant (from $18 at the time of publication)

In addition to a big pile of blankets, wearable comfort is essential. Katie has a soft, oversize Sleepy Jones Twyla T-Shirt Dress, which they’ve owned for several years and say gets better and softer with time. And though we have several cozy robe and comfy pajama picks for you to lounge in, senior staff writer Jackie Reeve is partial to Hanna Andersson’s long-john tops and bottoms, which come in fun, seasonal prints for both adults and kids—the whole family can match.

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 ($300 at the time of publication)

Tiki Fire Pit ($395 at the time of publication)

Nothing beats the cozy ambience that a fireplace or wood stove can bring to a living room, but if you’re not lucky enough to have one, you still have a few options. If you have an outdoor space, a fire pit is well worth the investment. We tested several smokeless fire pits, and our two top picks, the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 and the Tiki Fire Pit, were our favorites. Though they definitely don’t eliminate all the smoke from your fire, they are significantly better than a traditional fire pit, which is great if you’re easily bothered by smoke or have neighbors close by. And finally, while we know this last option is not the same, we love Netflix’s Fireplace for Your Home to get the feel of a warm, crackling fire without an actual fireplace.

Williams Sonoma Hotel Dinner Napkins ($70 for a set of six at the time of publication)

Rough Linen Smooth Linen Tablecloth (about $110 at the time of publication)

When you’re spending more time in the kitchen or dining room—even if all that means is boiling water for tea or boxed mac and cheese—a bright tablecloth or colorful cloth napkins can add warmth and softness to your space. In our guide to the best napkins and tablecloths, we recommend the Williams Sonoma Hotel Dinner Napkins, which come in several colors and are both beautiful and functional. We also love Rough Linen’s Smooth Linen Tablecloth, which has the relaxed look of linen as well as an heirloom quality that is above and beyond anything we tested. It comes in several soft pastels that add a cozy, glamorous feel to any dining table.

Revival Ombre Wool Rug ($300 for the 4-by-6-feet size at the time of publication)

Area rugs are an easy way to make your space feel instantly new and cozy. Besides adding softness underfoot, they also help dampen sound and define an area, whether it’s a living room, a hallway, or a small area around your bed. You can also layer different-size rugs to add more texture and dimension to your space. One of the softest area rugs we tested, Revival’s Ombre Wool Rug, comes in several colors that are reminiscent of the sky at sunset, dusk, or dawn. We recommend investing in a good rug pad too, which not only adds an extra layer of cushion but helps keep the rug in place and protects it from excessive wear and tear.

WiZ 60W A19 Color LED Smart Bulb ($11 at the time of publication)

Lighting is probably one of the most important elements for making a room feel cozy. Though you can achieve the kind of lighting you want in several ways, from floor lamps to table lamps, the bulbs you use can make a huge difference, which is where smart LED light bulbs come in. Smart bulbs allow you to play with color, temperature, and brightness, making your rooms endlessly customizable to whatever mood you’re in. Our top pick, the WiZ 60W A19 Color LED Smart Bulb, is affordable, has an easy-to-use app, and has a good color-temperature range. If you’re looking to cozy up a porch or backyard instead, we also tested several kinds of outdoor lighting to make any space feel special.

4Claws Furry Pet Bed/Mat (about $40 at the time of publication)

Majestic Pet Suede Bagel Dog Bed (about $35 for 24-inch bed at the time of publication)

Hanna Andersson Pet John Pajamas (from $14 at the time of publication)

If your pets aren’t warm and cozy, neither are you. Why not spoil them a bit with a brand-new bed? For cats, we love this cozy, soft 4Claws Furry Pet Bed/Mat; it comes as a flat mat but quickly converts to a bed, though your kitty will love kneading (aka making biscuits) on it either way. For dogs, we recommend the Majestic Pet Suede Bagel Dog Bed, which has been a Wirecutter favorite for years. Pair it with some Hanna Andersson Pet John Pajamas to keep your furry friend warm and to match the pj’s for humans we mentioned above.

This article was edited by Daniela Gorny and Christine Ryan.