Make your home cozy and welcoming

Keep the fire stocked up with coal, or carbon neutral fuels to keep your living room warm and

Fire, either from candles or a fireplace, add actual warmth to a home and the glow makes a home feel cozy. If the weather is too warm for a fire, consider adding many different shapes and sizes of white or creme candles inside your fireplace.

Blankets and pillows add a sense of coziness and comfort to a home. Leave a blanket folded neatly on the end of a bed or arm of a sofa. Don't put too many pillows on a sofa that there is not enough room for people to sit. Consider having large floor pillows for children to sit or lay on.

What scents remind you of your childhood? Perhaps cookies, cinnamon, or vanilla? If you are not planning on baking, consider using a scented candle for a welcoming scent. You can also boil some spices in a pot on your stove to create a welcoming fragrance.

Personalize your space. Add family photos and memories from your travels. Paint your walls a warm earth tone such as brown, green, or caramel. Buy unique light fixtures to replace your builder grade fixtures. Decorate your home with one-of-a-kind items, perhaps from an architectural salvage or antique store. Make your guests feel like they have walked into some place special, not just another generic home.

Add dimmers to your overhead light fixtures to adjust the lights to an appropriate level per time of day. Use multiple lighting sources in the room to set the mood.

Source: http://www.ehow.com