It is snowing as I write this, so winter already feels here — the perfect time to settle into a cozy bed. We’ve been making small updates to this side of our “multi-purpose” room. I don’t love that name, so I’ve decided to call it the “snug.” A snug is a cozy room filled with soft furnishings where one goes for peace and relaxation, and that’s exactly what this space has become.
This room now serves as my office, the family TV area, a sitting nook and a full guest bed. It isn’t large, but it’s the biggest room in our modest home, so it has to pull double duty. Even though the space has evolved differently than I originally planned, I love how useful and welcoming it has become. That ongoing change is part of the joy of making a home.
Because this is our only guest space, we wanted the bed to feel especially warm and inviting for family visits during the winter months.
Mixed and Matched Winter Bed
I enjoy mixing and matching bedding to create fresh seasonal looks without overhauling everything. Swapping a few shams or a new quilt gives the bed a whole new personality. The pieces on our winter bed were collected over the past year—some items are no longer available, but I’ve included similar options in the source list at the end of the post.
The shams are a whimsical winter touch — I bought similar ones from the same shop last year. They instantly make the bed feel festive and fun, and they pair nicely with a neutral quilt and layered textiles.
- This is the mauve quilt, still available, with matching mauve shams.
- Similar Christmas shams are available from a few retailers if the exact ones are out of stock.
- The blue and white star pillow is from an online store (exact style may be sold out).
- The metal bed belonged to the house when we bought it; you can find black or white metal beds with a similar silhouette.
I found the bird prints on Etsy and framed them in simple gold frames. The vintage-style illustrations felt right for this house near the water and help tie together some of the blue tones in the room. The room’s angles and peaked ceilings make hanging art a bit more interesting, and I enjoy the challenge of arranging pieces in a unique way.
One of my favorite furniture pieces in the snug is what we call the “boat bookcase.” We’ve had it for years and I’m glad it ended up here. It’s sturdy and full of personal items, my husband’s books and a few meaningful mementos. I prefer a lived-in look over perfectly styled displays; the shelf feels real and welcoming.
A simple faux garland draped around the bed adds an unmistakable holiday warmth. Small touches like that give the space a festive spirit without feeling overdone.
I tied a pair of needlepoint stockings to the ends of the bed with a velvet ribbon. They were a gift from my aunt when our girls were small, and they remind me of the traditions we were building as a family. Little heirloom details like these make the room feel personal and cozy.
We use visual cues to distinguish zones in this multifunctional room. An original painting of the sea acts as a gentle divider between the guest nook and the office and family area. The bird art echoes the painting’s palette, which helps the nook feel like its own cozy corner while still flowing with the rest of the room.
Though it functions as a guest bed, this corner is just as lovely for curling up with a book or taking a quiet break when we don’t have visitors. It’s become one of my favorite calm spots in the house.
Of course our cat Lily has claimed this as her winter bed. She loves the coziest spots, and I can’t blame her. I’ll let her keep thinking it’s all hers—until we have guests. I hope the snug and its winter bed inspire you to use the space you have and make it warm, personal and welcoming for your family.
UPDATE! Come see more photos and details of this room in my new post: Getting Ready for Winter in the Snug
Paint color: Smoked Embers Benjamin Moore, eggshell
Christmas shams: Similar shams are available from the same shop or retailers like Pottery Barn.
Metal bed: Black and white metal beds in similar shapes are easy to find if you don’t have the original.
Bird art prints: Framed in simple gold frames for a vintage look that pairs well with coastal decor.
Needlepoint stockings: Similar needlepoint stockings and Etsy options capture a classic, handmade feel.
Boat bookcase: A sturdy, character-filled piece that holds books and meaningful objects and anchors the nook.
Mauve quilt and matching shams add a soft, layered look; a blue-and-white striped bedskirt and coordinating rug complete the cozy palette.
Blue and white floral lamp shade, faux fern in a woven plant basket, and a blue-and-white star pillow are some of the small accent pieces that bring texture and charm to the space.
Find more sources from my home in my shop.
A few recent posts on the blog (in case you missed them):
The Tale of Our Striped Armchair
Little Bits of Progress (My Blue and White Checked Curtains + Bird Art!)
7 Simple Ways We Made our House Feel Like Home (in the first year!)
How to Make Christmas Garland Look Extra Full and Festive | And 25 Simple Ideas to Try
The Tradition of the Moravian Stars on our Porch (4 Reasons Why We Love Them!)
Battery Operated Window Candles: A Charming and Cozy Tradition for Winter
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