It is snowing as I write this, so winter truly feels here — the perfect excuse to make a cozy winter bed. We’ve been making gradual updates to the corner of our multipurpose space. I don’t love the label “multi-purpose room,” so I prefer to call it “the snug.” A snug is simply a small, comfortable room filled with soft furnishings where you go to relax and find peace, and that’s exactly what this room has become.
This room pulls double duty as my office, our TV and sitting area, and now a full guest bed. It’s the largest room in our modest home, so it really has to earn its stripes. Although the space has evolved differently than I originally planned, I absolutely love how it’s turned out. It will continue to change as we live here, which is part of the joy of making a home.
Because this is our only dedicated guest space, I wanted it to feel warm and inviting for visiting family — especially in winter.
Mixed-and-Matched Winter Bedding
I like mixing and matching bedding to create fresh seasonal looks without replacing everything. By adding a few seasonal shams or a new quilt, the whole bed feels new. Most of the pieces on our winter bed were purchased at different times over the past year. A few items are no longer available, but similar options exist (see the source list at the end of the post).
The woodland shams are a whimsical touch I adore for winter — I bought mine last year and they instantly became a favorite for a guest bed.
- The mauve quilt is still available, with matching mauve shams.
- Similar Christmas-patterned shams can be found at several retailers; Pottery Barn carries comparable holiday shams as well.
- The blue-and-white star pillow we used is a seasonal find and may be out of stock, but similar pillows are available.
- The metal bed was already in the house when we moved in; you can find black or white metal beds with a similar silhouette if you’re looking for the same look.
I framed a set of vintage bird prints that remind me of the birds near the water. The angles and peaks in this room make hanging art a bit unconventional, which I love — it invites creative solutions and gives the space character.
The boat-shaped bookcase, which we’ve had for years, fits perfectly in this corner and stores my husband’s books alongside sentimental items. It’s sturdy and oddly charming; I appreciate its lived-in, unstyled presence amid carefully chosen decor.
A faux evergreen garland adds a hint of holiday warmth to the bed without overwhelming the cozy cottage feeling.
My aunt gifted my husband and me needlepoint stockings when our children were very young. They became part of our holiday tradition and I tied one to each side of the bed with a soft velvet ribbon for a nostalgic, personal touch.
We use visual cues to make the guest nook feel distinct from the rest of the room. An original seascape anchors the area and the bird art coordinates with it, creating a subtle separation between the guest nook and the office/living zone.
Although it’s intended as a guest bed, this little nook is my favorite quiet spot to read or rest when we don’t have visitors. It’s a small luxury that makes the room feel truly lived-in.
Of course, Lily the dog has already claimed the bed as her own. I can’t blame her — she knows a cozy spot when she sees one. I’ll let her enjoy it so long as we don’t have overnight guests. I hope our snug and its winter bed inspire you to embrace the space you have and make it as warm and welcoming as possible for your family.
Update: I’ve posted more photos and details in a follow-up post titled “Getting Ready for Winter in the Snug.”
Paint color: Smoked Embers (Benjamin Moore), eggshell.
Highlights and sources: Christmas-style shams (similar available), metal bed with a similar shape in black or white, framed bird art prints, needlepoint stockings, boat bookcase, mauve quilt and matching shams, blue-and-white floral lamp shade, faux fern in a woven basket, blue-and-white star pillow, striped bedskirt, rug, and plate hanger hardware for decorative plates on the wall.
Find more sources and items from my home in my shop and see additional posts on the blog for related projects and seasonal ideas.
Recent posts you might enjoy:
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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