After weeks of being out in the world — airports, buses, hikes, hotels — there’s something magical about coming home. The suitcase lands in the hallway, the shoes come off, and suddenly, you want your space to feel like the softest hug. For me, home is not just where I live, it’s where I exhale. It’s a safe haven for enjoying time peacefully with my family.
Creating that “welcome home” feeling doesn’t take a renovation or a shopping spree — just a few thoughtful touches of home decor that turn four walls into a sanctuary. Sometimes I wonder, how can an introvert like me love travelling and meeting new people so much? But when I am home, I just want to be piled under blankets in my husbands (and daughters) arms, reading a good book and drinking a hot cocoa from my favourite cup?
Here are my home decor ideas that transform your place into a cozy living room, keeping that ‘travel life’ alive.
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🛋️ Layers of Comfort
The first thing I reach for is a blanket. Or two. Or three. Throw blankets instantly signal coziness, whether they’re piled on the sofa or folded at the foot of the bed. They’re like an invitation to slow down.
What makes them special is the layering. Each blanket has its own personality – a chunky knit that feels like a warm hug on chilly evenings, a Harry Potter throw to accompany HP movie nights, and a woven one that adds that touch of rustic charm. Stack them in a basket by the couch or drape them casually over an armchair so they’re always within reach.
It’s not just about warmth – it’s about creating textures that your eyes and hands want to sink into. The way a blanket folds, the weight of it across your shoulders, the subtle colours blending into your room – all of it whispers, you’re safe, you’re home, you can rest now.
Some of my favourites: Chunky Knit Blanket, Faux Fur Throw, Harry Potter Houses Throw (for all HP fans!)
🕯️ Light the Candles
There’s something almost magical about striking a match at the end of a long day. The gentle flicker of a candle instantly softens the room, casting shadows that make everything feel calmer. Candles are small, but they transform a space faster than any lamp could.
Choose scents that match your mood: vanilla or amber for cozy evenings, lavender for winding down, sandalwood when you need grounding, or pumpkin spice and cinnamon when autumn rolls in. Scatter them across your living room, line them up on a windowsill, or light just one by your bedside. We always have the ‘big’ candles on our table in the living room, and a full drawer of the small ones, just in case.
It’s not about perfection — melted wax and half-burned wicks tell their own story. What matters is the ritual: the pause, the inhale, the moment of stillness that says, this is my time.
The scents I love the most: Pumpkin Chai (I love their overall design), Ocean Air (in case I miss it), Coastal Sunset (the crackling of these is amazing!)
📚 A Corner for Stories
Every home needs a little nook — a place that tells you it’s okay to pause. For me, that’s a reading corner. It doesn’t need to be fancy; just a chair by the window, a small side table, and a stack of books waiting for you to dip in. Add a throw blanket over the armrest and a lamp that casts a soft pool of light, and suddenly you have your own retreat.
This is where the world slows down. You can travel through pages even when your suitcase is tucked away. Maybe it’s a well-loved novel, maybe it’s a glossy magazine, maybe it’s a travel book that reminds you where you’ve been (or where you’ll go next). It’s a gentle reminder that home isn’t the opposite of adventure — it’s the place that lets you process it all.
I’m a sucker for poetry and I love the new ‘contemporary’ poets, so my nook is full of those. You never know, maybe I’ll find some time to write my own collection on day, to compliment my selection.
What I could read every day: Rupi Kaur triology (so cheap for the value! and can be a lovely gift), Be My Moon (a more romantic of Alexandra’s books), Night Sky With Exit Wounds (Ocean’s emotional first poetry collection).
On most days I like to plan ahead for the next travelling adventure. So if I’m feeling extra blue I tend to book a flight and the blues are gone!
☕ A Mug of Comfort
Travel is about discovering flavors, but home is about returning to the ones that comfort you most. For me, that’s the simple ritual of a warm drink. A pumpkin spice latte (or my favourite chai latte) on a crisp autumn afternoon, chamomile tea before bed, or even just hot cocoa piled high with marshmallows (my husband always adds these to my drink). After visiting South Africa, we always have Amarula near (a spirit drink, resembling Bailey’s, but better!) if we want to spice things up!
The magic isn’t just in the drink, but in the mug. We all have that one favourite — chipped on the rim, maybe, or bigger than it needs to be. When you wrap your hands around it, the warmth spreads through your fingers and tells your whole body: relax, you’re here, you’re safe.
My picks: Lovely monogram cup, Cute teddy bear mug, Appearing Marauder’s Map Mug (well, HP fan forever, I guess)
🌿 A Touch of Nature
Even after exploring the world, I always crave a little piece of it inside my own home. A bunch of fresh flowers on the table, a potted plant by the window, or even just branches and leaves gathered from a walk nearby — nature grounds us in the present moment. My husband always makes fun of me, for having too many vases, but I genuinely love flowers. And we have strelizia plant in the corner of the living room, so that the jungle vibe feels closer to me.
Greenery softens the edges of a room, reminding us that life is bigger than screens and schedules. A fern in the corner, a vase of eucalyptus on the shelf, or a small herb plant in the kitchen adds freshness and life. It doesn’t have to be perfect; sometimes the wild, imperfect stems bring the most joy.
Bringing the outside in is like telling your home: you’re alive, you’re evolving, you’re connected to the world beyond these walls.
Two of my favourites at home: Green with vertical design and A huge round glass vase (I have it on the floor with eucalyptus branches)
✨ Final Thought
Home is more than a place — it’s a feeling you can design for yourself. Through layers of comfort, flickers of candlelight, cozy nooks, warm mugs, and little touches of nature, you can create a sanctuary that welcomes you back after every journey. After all, every traveler needs not just a place to land, but a place to belong.
Sometimes it’s time to unwind, but sometimes you need some travel inspiration. Go through my blog, follow me on my Pinterest (https://www.pinterest.com/ikigaimind/) or X under @ikigai_mindset