Just in: The polar vortex is acting up again, and meteorologists are forecasting a colder, snowier stretch than usual in the weeks after Thanksgiving.
Translation? It’s officially time to get serious about cozy.
I’ve already started my cold-weather ritual: restocking the hot cocoa stash, airing out my snuggly sweaters, and wearing my favorite fuzzy socks. If you’re doing the same (or wondering where to begin), you’re in exactly the right place.
With a few clever IKEA hacks, your home can feel snug, inviting, and downright delightful all winter long.
Check out these IKEA hacks to get you through the cold months with a smile.
Add Warmth and Texture With These Hacks
Add warm things to your home to increase its coziness factor. Try some winter vignettes, blankets, and storage for all the extras that come along with braving the cold weather.
1. DIY Plush Throw Pillows
IKEA’s plush bathroom mats (we’re looking at you, ALMTJÄRN) are basically luxury pillow covers in disguise. Fold one around a pillow insert, secure the edges, throw them on your bed or living room sofa, and suddenly it’s the perfect cozy spot to curl up.
2. Embellished Blanket
Throw blankets are a great way to keep coziness on standby, but the same old looks get boring. Introducing your individual style adds instant warmth and comfort. Jennifer W. shows off a simple and inexpensive way to add a personal touch to a basic IKEA blanket.
3. Hat and Glove Storage
The cold nipping at your nose and fingers means plenty of hats, gloves, scarves, you name it. Keep things organized and easy to grab so you can be weather-ready in seconds with this clever storage hack for winter accessories from Josefin Hjortronblad @Minikottarna.
Maintain Winter Whimsy With These Hacks
Playful and light-hearted are two things many people wish they could feel when hectic winter schedules begin. Incorporating a few fun elements keeps things from getting too serious.
4. Cutest DIY Draft Stopper
Turn a simple IKEA table runner into a cute draft stopper that actually stays put! Just fold the runner in half lengthwise, sew a long seam, leaving a small opening, then fill with dried rice or beans for weight. The result? A stylish, affordable draft dodger that blocks cold air from sneaking under your doors while looking way better than those foam tubes from the hardware store.
5. Cozy Blanket Wrap
Turn an IKEA plush throw blanket into a cozy wrap coat that’s perfect for padding around the house on frigid mornings. Just add a belt to cinch the waist and suddenly you may just look chic enough for quick errands or greeting the delivery person. Yes, it’s sew easy to stay warm and toasty throughout the winter season.
6. Blanket Fort for Indoor Play
When the cold keeps the kids cooped up inside, it’s blanket fort time. Sofas, stools, chairs, storage cubes, and ottomans make the perfect framework for draping blankets and sheets into an epic indoor hideaway. Raid what you already have in your linen cabinet and let the kids get creative with the engineering. Toss in some pillows, add battery-powered string lights, and you’ve got hours of entertainment without screen time. It’s the ultimate cozy activity for snowy afternoons, and bonus: it tires them out without you having to bundle anyone into snow gear.
Pamper Your Pets This Winter With Snuggly Beds
Your fur babies deserve to be cozy all winter long, too. Help them stay snuggly with these irresistible pet bed hacks.
7. Holiday Cat Bed
Wrap sturdy storage boxes in festive holiday wrapping paper to create cozy cat beds. Beth Noble (Yoshi and the Tonks @yoshitonks) shows you just how to do it.
8. End Table Dog Bed
Here are two fun dog bed ideas that blend in with your decor, so it’s easy to keep the house tidy all winter long. See how it’s done — Amanda Tay and Maggie’s Mom know how to make their pups happy and their homes ready for holiday company.
9. Cozy Dog Igloo for When It Gets Really Cold
Transform an IKEA crib fitted sheet and a crib mattress into an insulated pet igloo that traps body heat and creates the ultimate snuggle den. The mattress provides serious insulation while the removable sheets keep things practical. Your pet gets a toasty retreat for those extra-cold nights.
Create a Cozy Ambiance With Candles
The warm glow of candlelight, whether real or LED, creates a warm and welcoming vibe. It’s easy to introduce it into your space using these hacks.
10. Candle Warmer Lamp
This hack appeals to multiple senses. Cristina Marcon creates a candle warmer lamp that intensifies fragrances and gives rooms a glow-up.
11. Terracotta Heater
Want a cute way to add a little extra warmth to a small space? This adorable terracotta heater from Oscar Lodeiro Hermida is just the thing, featuring three IKEA items.
12. Candle Fireplace
Annalisa Rizzo crafts the illusion of a fireplace using LACK tables. LED candles keep this hack safe and accessible to anyone who desires visual warmth without an open flame. A beautiful way to create a cozy living room vibe.
Keep the Cozy Vibes Going in the Kitchen
The kitchen is the heart of the home, and it’s where you prepare plenty of yummy winter goodness. Use these hacks to bring a touch of coziness to your favorite seasonal beverages.
13. Inviting Coffee Station
Not sure how you’re going to make it through your winter to-do list? Lexie Zhu sets up a cute and cozy coffee station to keep the caffeine flowing and energy going.
14. Crochet Glass Sleeves
Love enjoying a hot beverage, but it’s a little too hot to handle? Steffi made colorful crochet sleeves for IKEA’s POKAL glasses, making them pretty and practical.
15. Easy Tea Cosy
I love relaxing with a nice cup of hot tea when it’s chilly outside. A pair of thick, quilted potholders makes surprisingly perfect tea cosies to keep your pot of tea warm. Complete your tea setup with this space-saving tea station that keeps your favorite teas ready and waiting.
Warm Things Up With a Fireplace
You can’t get much cozier in the winter than with a fireplace, but what if you don’t have one or yours is a bit blah? Well, that’s when you IKEA hack your way to a fabulous fireplace, of course.
16. DIY Faux Fireplace
Sometimes, all you need is the suggestion of a fireplace to give you the same feel-good feeling you get from the real thing. Angi Deko Obsession @deko_obsession creates a fake fireplace using IKEA kitchen cabinets and a few accessories that provide a lovely glow.
17. Decorative Fireplace
A fireplace using a bookshelf? This decorative fireplace gives the ever-popular BILLY a whole new look. All you need to do to get more of a glow is to use some LED logs or candles.
18. Bookshelf Fireplace
Jim Grischow shows off how to make a faux fireplace that adds an inviting glow to your space. Flickering logs add to the ambiance, begging you to put up your feet and grab a cup of cocoa.
Add Cozy Charm With Winter Decor
Decorating your home for the holidays helps keep the spirit of the season going strong all winter long. These Christmas decor hacks are all about creating a space that makes you happy and relaxed as you unwind from the holiday hustle.
19. Easy Christmas Wreath
Christmas wreaths are a popular holiday decoration, and creating one yourself enables you to add personal touches. Julia makes her custom holiday wreath for less than $30!
20. Coat Rack Christmas Tree
Penny creates an easy and affordable Christmas tree using an IKEA coat rack. It’s a great solution for small spaces or shoestring budgets, so you can still include a cozy Christmas favorite in your winter decor.
21. Framed Winter Scene
Rosandra uses the RIBBA frames to create adorable winter scenes for her holiday decor line-up. Use various accessories to personalize your displays, and write festive messages on the chalkboard background.
22. Christmas Nativity Lantern
This lantern nativity hack provides a beautiful way to include this special moment in your home during Christmas. It uses the ROTERA lantern, turning it into an ideal display case for the holy family.
23. Goblet Snow Globe
Camilla Fabbri shows how to turn IKEA goblets and glasses into DIY snowglobes that bring holiday cheer to your home. Why not make your own series of stemware snowglobes and create unique holiday vignettes or Christmas centerpieces?
24. Lantern Lamp Post
Erin Devine (Top Shelf diy) makes a charming old-fashioned lamp post using IKEA’s BORRBY lantern. It’s a perfect porch addition for holiday decorations that embrace a more traditional, classic appeal.
25. Paper Lantern Snowman
Looking for a quick and easy hack that adds adorable winter charm to your home? Try this collapsible paper lantern snowman idea from Patricia Herrero @lovinhope__. (It’s especially great if you’re short on storage space for your seasonal decor!)
These cozy hacks are just right for warming things up when the temperatures drop. Which ones will you try to get you through the winter? Do you have your own winter weather DIY ideas to share? Send in your hacks; we’d love to see them!