Cozymaxxing: the TikTok interiors trend transforming Irish homes this autumn/winter

From velvet throws to personal reading nooks, cozymaxxing is the interiors trend helping Irish homes become sanctuaries of comfort

Cozymaxxing can involve arriving home, taking off our shoes, enjoying the feel of a soft rug, or sitting down on a cosy couch, in our own space, surrounded by items that make us feel comfortable, according to Maura Mackey, Maura Mackey Design (interior design by Maura pictured).

YOU TURN the lighting down, maybe light a candle, nestle into your deep sofa, snuggle into the soft cushions, drape your velvet throw over your legs, and feel your shoulders relax as you take a sip of your evening cup of tea. You’re cozymaxxing.

Like many viral trends these days, cozymaxxing gained traction on TikTok in early 2025. As the name suggests, it’s all about maxing out the cosy factor, cocooning yourself in comfort through your clothing, self-care, and your home interiors.

In the uncertain, sometimes frightening world we live in, it’s little surprise that comfort is emerging as the big interiors trend for the autumn/winter season, says Michelle Burnett, interior designer at Dublin design studio Cush Interiors (Cushinteriors.com), who says design trends can often reflect broader global sentiment. “During the boom time, things were very minimalist; people wanted sleek and elegant. Their homes were often like show homes,” says Michelle.

We all want to maximise our comfort at home, according to interior designer Maura Mackey, who includes cozymaxxing elements such as plants, colour and comfort in her designs, pictured.

“Now, with the chaos and the uncertainty and the sadness going on, it’s triggering people to realise we need to enjoy the comfort of our homes, and add more comfort where possible.”

At its heart, cozymaxxing is all about comfort. Layers of texture and cosiness through throws, blankets, cushions, and natural materials.

Low lighting, either through candles or lamps with a soft glow bulb. But it’s more than just these interior design choices; it’s also about familiarity and a feeling of refuge, and this can be added by introducing family heirlooms, such as a renovated chair from your grandparents’ house or sentimental items you remember from your childhood home, says Michelle.

We all want to maximise our comfort time, says Maura Mackey of Maura Mackey Design, interior design scheme by Maura pictured.

Cozymaxxing grew out of trends such as the Scandinavian hygge movement, cottagecore, and quiet luxury, but is more personal, says interior designer Maura Mackey of Maura Mackey Design (Mauramackeydesign.ie). “Unlike hygge, cozymaxxing is more focused on the individual rather than shared warmth,” says Maura.

They are “claiming different areas in their homes for themselves”, adds the interior designer, based in Ballinhassig, Co Cork. “They want to maximise their comfort time. It’s almost like self-care in the home.”

“People are coming home, taking off their shoes, and they want to feel comfort through a soft rug, or sitting down on a cosy couch, in their own space in the house where they have all the things that make them feel comfortable, like candles, throws, their books, flowers, whatever it is.”

Keith Hussey-Doyle, who is currently renovating a house in Howth, Co Dublin, has intentionally created these mini-cosy spaces throughout his home. “In a corner of our bedroom, for example, I have one of those cuddle seats by the window. The idea is that’s my space where I have my books and magazines, I have a little side table where I light a candle when I’m sitting there, and I have my cushions and throws. It is very much my comfortable space, where I can sit and look out the window down onto Howth and just feel calm and relaxed.”

A cosy den in a grand Edwardian house in Ballsbridge, Dublin. The interior designer, Michelle Burnett of Cush Interiors, used Farrow & Ball’s ‘Railings’ on the walls to enhance the cosy atmosphere. The room doubles as a library for the clients. The flooring is an Amtico terrazzo tile, which is softer underfoot than regular tiles, which adds to the sense of warmth. Picture: Ken Walsh

That’s because cozymaxxing is about more than just physical comfort, it’s also about mental and psychological comfort, says Marica Cassarino, environmental psychologist at University College Cork.

“In environmental psychology, the home is very much your territory, where you can relax and be yourself. Enhancing the comfort in your home can then provide psychological comfort and a sense of safety.

In some ways, cozymaxxing can be seen as a form of self-care and self-preservation, helping people to restore their mental capacity and replenish their energy in an overstimulating world,” says Marica.

Eleven ways you can create a cozymaxxed space in your home   

Soft lighting: Use warm LED bulbs, candles, small lamps, and even string lights to create a gentle, inviting atmosphere instead of harsh overhead lighting.

Layering textures: Incorporate different textures with throws, blankets, cushions, and rugs to add warmth and comfort. “Adding textured layers always helps. I love wall hangings (aka tapestries) and I'd love to see them being used more, even a small rug would be perfect hung on a wall,” says Michelle Burnett.

Personal nooks: Create individual cosy areas or nooks for each family member, such as reading corners or spaces for personal activities.

Mixing furniture: Don’t be afraid to mix different types of furniture and avoid everything being too “matchy-matchy.” Combine statement pieces with vintage or thrifted finds.

Layering rugs: Layer rugs in living rooms, bedrooms, or hallways to add softness and define spaces. “Don’t be afraid to put a rug on carpet. Layering rugs in different areas can add warmth and comfort,” says Maura Mackey.

Scents and candles: Add diffusers, candles, or wax melts to enhance the sensory experience of your home. “Lighting a candle is a great way to transition from the workday into the evening, especially in the darker evenings of autumn and winter,” says Keith Hussey-Doyle.

This boot room bench in the entrance hall of a new-build contemporary home in Foxrock, Dublin, is enriched with jewel coloured plush velvets and textured cushions, says interior designer Michelle Burnett, Cush Designs. Reflected in the round mirror is commissioned art tailored to the décor scheme, lit by wall lights for added ambience. Picture: Paul Sherwood

Manage clutter: Use baskets, trays, and boxes to organise items and keep surfaces tidy, reducing visual noise and stress.

“Clutter in your environment, such as a sitting room that's overloaded or a bit untidy, can affect your ability to relax and can put a mental burden on you,” says Dr Marica Cassarino.

Personal touches: Display meaningful items, such as art, souvenirs, or family mementoes, to make the space feel unique and comforting.

Invest in the best: Buy long-lasting, comfortable, large furniture pieces, so choose quality, long-lasting furniture and accessories. If you can afford it, a custom-made sofa is a good investment, says Michelle Burnett. “My upholsterer recently adjusted the frame and cushion fillers to meet the exact heights of the clients’ preferences. He also adjusted the curved slope of the arms on the sofa so that it follows the natural fall of the arm when seated. It's amazing the impact that has on your enjoyment of the chair.”   

Plant power: Incorporate real or high-quality faux plants for a touch of greenery. “If like me, you struggle to keep plants alive, there are some fabulous faux options out there that look almost real. These plants or flowers are simple things to change up as you head into the different seasons, too,” says Keith Hussey-Doyle.

Bring in the natural world: Introduce natural elements to your living space. “Designs that include natural materials, textures, colours, and shapes can provide positive stimulation without overwhelming us, supporting our well-being and a sense of calm. This connection to nature is wired into us through our biology and evolution,” says Dr Marica Cassarino.  

Cozymaxxing grew out of trends like the Scandinavian hygge movement, cottagecore and quiet luxury, but is more personal, says interior designer Maura Mackey of Maura Mackey Design.

Can cozymaxxing help us regain control?

By intentionally creating these cosy or comfortable spaces in our home, we can reinforce the idea of our homes as a sanctuary.

Psychologist Marica Cassarino says: “You are deliberately doing something that keeps you aware of yourself, of how your body is acting and reacting, and that can help the process of replenishing energies.

“There is a lot around us that makes us feel things are outside of our control. And perceiving a sense of control is very important to us as individuals. So for some people, creating that cosy space becomes almost a ritual, a way of regaining that control, of being mindful in space and basically taking care of ourselves.”

As fluffy or innocuous as it may sound, perhaps cozymaxxing is our way of reacting to the extremes of the world we live in.

The stresses of our turbo-charged lives, the uncertainty and fear, can all be banished for an hour or two in the evening as we sink into our cosy sofas, safely cocooned in a wool throw, surrounded by our treasured items, with a candle glowing in the corner.