By Amber Katz
Even in summer, there’s an art to creating a cozy home — a place that says, “Sit down; relax.”
And according to three local design pros, it’s an art worth mastering year round.
Cozy isn’t just for flannel-and-fireplace season.
Darci Hether, an interior designer who works with properties throughout Rye and Westchester, enthuses about performance fabrics, which have evolved dramatically.
“Fifteen years ago, if I did a linen sofa, it would look pretty for about five minutes,” she said. Today’s versions are fade resistant and easy to clean.
For summertime softness, she also recommended low-pile velvet and sisal area rugs, especially layered on top of an existing rug for a breezy feel. Missie Fahey of Rye-based Missie Fahey Interiors seconded the call for performance fabrics, noting that outdoor fabrics brought inside are a smart move for families.
For Jen Beato of Stunning Spaces, a home staging firm serving Westchester and beyond, any-season coziness begins before a single pillow gets fluffed.
“Fresh paint, wiped-down surfaces, and ensuring everything is looking its best and sparkling clean are the first steps,” she said. “A home should feel fresh, light, and inviting the moment someone walks through the door.” Her favorite scent is simply “one of a well-cleaned home” — a sentiment echoed by Fahey, who prefers subtle notes like sea salt or verbena over anything too heavy.
Layer like you’re getting dressed
Once the foundation is clean, the real fun begins.
For Hether, the path to a cozy home is akin to building a wardrobe: Start with the classics.
“You have the classic silhouettes, and then you layer on,” she said.
In a room, that means throw pillows, blankets, window treatments, and coffee table styling all working together.
“If you stripped away all of the accessories, you’d just have a room with nice furniture pieces, but nothing that really screams cozy,” she said.
Fahey agreed on layering — but not too much.
“There is a slippery slope when it comes to textiles,” she said. “It’s best to make a plan and stick to it.”
Develop a color palette first, she advised, then let prints and textures support it. Throw pillows, she added, should be approached with care.
“If it feels like too much, it usually is, and you’ll find your guests tossing the pillows to the floor.”
Beato takes an emotionally effective approach.
“Upholstered furniture, textured pillows, soft throws, plush rugs, and rich textiles immediately make a space feel more inviting and emotionally connected,” she said. In a primary suite especially, she wants the bed to feel irresistible.
Let there be (warm) light
All three designers pointed to lighting as a low-effort, high-impact mood-maker. Hether’s go-to: a 2700 Kelvin LED bulb, which mimics the warm glow of old-school incandescent bulbs.
“When people swap it out and see the difference, they’re like, ‘oh, that’s so funny,’” she said. Fahey’s pick for renters is wireless sconces with smart bulbs.
“Literally a peel and stick item,” she said. “No wiring, no need for an electrician.”
Bring the outside in
Beato loves incorporating greenery and florals to soften a room.
“Even the smallest touches of nature help create warmth and balance,” she said. For those who would rather skip the watering can, she’s a fan of high-quality faux stems with natural color variation.
“Avoid anything overly shiny or artificial-looking,” she advised.
Scent sets the scene
Hether burned through her recommendations here, favoring honey and floral scents for summer. Her long-standing favorite: Wild Honey Nectar by DW Home.
“It’s like 18 bucks and it smells so good,” she said. “I’ve been going back to it every summer for three or four years.”
Fahey suggested placing a candle in a powder room or secondary space when guests are over for a hint of scent that lingers without overwhelming.
The throughline from all three?
The dreamiest spaces feel effortless rather than overly designed.
“We want someone to walk in and instantly feel relaxed,” Beato said, “already picturing themselves unwinding there.”
