what makes a home cozy?

what actually makes a home cozy? Welcome back to the Science of Cozy series where we're learning that coziness doesn't come from another decor item, but instead it comes from triggering the five senses. Today we're going over the sensory experience of touch and why that brings a feeling of cozy in our homes. The science of it all explains how our skin is our largest sensory organ. Every time we touch something, our skin is sending that information to our brain in order to make a decision on the environment. Based on that sensory feeling, our brain begins asking questions like, is it hot? Cold? Soft? Hard? Sharp? Every one of those sensory signals contributes to your nervous system deciding, am I safe here? Do I feel comfortable to stay in this environment? The goal in creating a cozy home isn't found in a specific product, but in creating an environment that relaxes our nervous system. Now, how do we bring this sensory experience of touch into our homes? As humans, we evolved sleeping on natural materials. Animal hides, grasses, moss, wool. Soft textures usually meant warmth, insulation, protection, added comfort. And in the reverse, hard, cold surfaces often meant exposure and it forced our bodies to stay on alert. We can see this practically in the sterile rooms we are trying to avoid. Hard, shiny surfaces, fluorescent white lighting that exposes every nook and cranny. Subconsciously we all hate this type of design style because it disturbs our nervous system. But if we experience a room that has soft, ambient lighting, will rugs touching our feet, we subconsciously make the decision that this space feels comfortable and our nervous system decides for us that this place is suitable for our body to rest. The easiest way to start introducing cozier tactile elements around your home is through natural materials. Our brains crave a balance of complexity but familiarity. Think about running your hand over an oak table and feeling the wood grain or the knots, or touching a linen duvet and how it never wrinkles the same way. Or sitting in a leather chair and the more time it gets used, the more it patinas, the more it scars. Our brains are incredibly familiar with those types of imperfections because they feel human, real, natural. One of the main reasons why those things are comforting is because they age with us. That's psychologically comforting for us because it feels like our home is growing alongside us instead of remaining sterile or stagnant as we, the human living inside the home, always develop and grow. The more I continue on the series, the more I'm really starting to believe that coziness can't be bought by expensive furniture. I mean, think about Grandma's house. The pinnacle of cozy inspiration. Definitely not filled with designer furniture. I really think coziness comes from giving our senses beautiful, lived experiences. In the next part of the Science of Cozy, we're going over taste and how bringing the sensory element of taste into your home makes it more cozy. Go out and get a beautifully unique ceramic coffee mug. Your nervous system will thank you. And I'm going to end this series with a little bit of a cliffhanger. We're going to go over sound and how bringing the sensory element of sound into your home makes it more cozy. Go out and get a beautifully unique ceramic coffee mug. Your nervous system will thank you.