I’m rather hopeless when it comes to dreaming and scheming when the weather turns cold, and my thoughts turn to all lovely things cozy and snug! Goodness, why aren’t we all transforming our homes into a collection of snug rooms–each one more cocoonish than the last? English country cottages always have the best snug inspiration rooms as you’ll see. But if you call home an apartment in the city or a bungalow in the suburbs, what’s a snuggle-ista or snuggle-bun to do? Borrow ideas from these color stories, built-ins, paneling and room configurations! So romantically British! Even when we don’t know the exact paint color, I’ll offer informed suggestions based on decades of paint color consulting experience!
SNUG Inspiration Rooms + Cozy Paint Colors
Inspiring Snug Rooms With Moody Deep Color
Sometimes snug factor can be created with the right color placed in the right places. Notice how the ceiling, walls, and trim are painted the same color. However, there’s contrast and a lighter moment on the back of the shelves which makes it feel so much more friendly.
Fortunately, we have the exact paint color!
It’s so gorgeous too – Farrow & Ball De Nimes No. 299:
Remember how gorgeous the kitchen by Whitney Parkinson in HB was with this color?
Here’s another snug English library by Rose Uniacke that feels so velvety sumptuous and elegant, you’re going to want to paint a room top to bottom with an elegant moody teal-indigo with a Roman Clay or other textured finish…
That blue is custom, but it reminds me a little bit of Sherwin-Williams Indigo Batik.
This next space is ai-designed and also inspires with bold blue.
Should you sample a few of these colors mentioned? YES, oh yes. At least three if you ask me, no matter how similar they appear. Once they are side by side, you’ll notice beaucoup differences!
You could use Indigo Batik or something similar for trim and built-ins only as you see in the snug designed by Rita Konig above. Oh, this designer! I took an interior design course (Create Academy) of hers, and it was top notch!
Will Neutral Colors Work in Snug Rooms?
But is it necessary to turn to moody colors and paints with low LRV (light reflectance value) to capture the cozy vibe? No, madame.
Just look at this cozy cottage’s snug dining/living/cooking/entertaining space with Farrow & Ball James White No. 2010.
Here’s another snug as a bug space to cozy on down with books or a drink by Cathy Kincaid.
While I’m not certain, I know Cathy Kincaid loves using F&B colors, and I’m guessing Parma Gray on French doors and this one on walls and trim:
Aren’t those colors magic together? Here’s a narrow media room snug that is enlivened with pattern and a rosy salmon accent color that feels like a warm hug.
Notice how that rosy pink is continued on the panels of the built-ins. Sometimes it’s all about the architecture and snug space allotted for your snug:
When You Like Your Snug BOLD
Sophisticated and gentle snugs are swell, and some like to push the boundaries of a cozy sitting room…
WOW, I’m awake now! And I’m ready to daydream my day away here:
BTW – find more ideas for HYGGE in this story.
The Power of Paneling & Mill Work
Paint is not always necessary…ahem.
If your snug is blessed with wall to wall wood panels or ceiling beams, what a joy!
The natural warmth, character, and interest is hard to beat.
Oh this snug by Heidi Callier just takes my breath away. Did you see her feature in MILIEU? You’re going to be breathless and filled with awe.
And I think such awe is my favorite thing about being immersed in the world of interiors as I am. Something within me longs to be awestruck and fed by the wonders of nature, craft, and beauty.
It is what sparked this blog back in January of 2010…this idea to greet lovely design daily as a practice with an open heart. This last snug is seriously appetizing (I’m imagining these cabinets are made of chocolate.)
All of the designs coming out of the UK remind me of this gift guide I assembled for Anglophiles:
Even More UK-Inspired Cozy Things
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
And for you gardeners or loved ones of gardeners, don’t we all need this in our lives for the spring?
Is this the ultimate stocking stuffer for 2023?
I hope this winter will bring lots of moments for snug time, no matter where you find your peace.
Because that’s the wonder of wintry seasons…we are afforded more contemplative time for restful dreaming, scheming, and maybe a little meme-ing:
Sending you warm wishes for a snug December and…
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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Wonderful post! I am looking forward to doing over 2 rooms this winter with dark moody colors – one small with 7’ ceilings and one large with high ceilings also adding moldings. Could you please post more rooms like this-even the mistakes to avoid in doing so. Thanks for your inspiring blog and messages…..be well.
Author
Best to you as you re-decorate. If you follow my FB page, you’ll find many more moody inspiration spaces since that audience varies from the blog audience. Blog followers can’t get enough neutrals and all white timeless designs. 🙂
Love all your posts! They show beauty and give me such joy right here in my PJs! I will get busy I promise! Need some advise before I pull the trigger on a paint color though. My primary bedroom is a north facing room! What color is good to use? I am very neutral but love a warm and cozy feel HELP PLEASE!
Author
Thanks for being here – you are delightful! North facing rooms can be tricky. So can getting the mood right in a bedroom. So it makes sense to get very mindful and even scientific about it. Even if you decide on a neutral warm greige, you should sample 3 versions to get the best one for your lighting. Our bedroom is painted SW Agreeable Gray, but it could be too dark for some rooms. If a color like that feels ‘almost’ right but a little dark? Have it mixed at a lower saturation or look at the lighter color on the swatch card with it. In our last house, our bedroom was northern exposure, and I loved having it white (BM OC-151) and accenting with warmer tones. It never felt cold to me. In the house before that, BM White Sand was the warm beige that was perfect for the bedroom. Dig into my archives for ideas to sample.
Michele, you have to be a genius to pull together the patterns and colors in Nadine Finnegan’s room, which means that Nadine Finnegan is definitely a genius! Another room that captured my attention was the room by Rita Konig. I’m adverse to taking naps. (It’s the child in me.) But put me in that room and I’d be reaching for a blanket and curled up like a cat and asleep in a minute. Plain neutrals are relaxing like the grandmother you admire from a distance. Pattern and ‘non-neutrals’ ungulf you like the grandmother, who gives you the best hugs ever. So… My dream of a snug (noun) is snug (adjective) like a hug.
Author
So much to learn from these marvelous designers represented…once you begin to study the compositions, you realize even clashing can be quite charming when it’s the right balance of clash! I can’t nap either even though I have the best intentions. I’m too grouchy and groggy when I awaken during the day, and since I’m a morning person I am in bed early anyway. 🙂 Happy snuggling. xox
Here’s wishing you and warm and snug December! My thanks for all that you share with us.
Author
So happy you’re here, and right back at you – may December be as snug with warmth as you need it to be. xox