Creating a Cozy, Self-Care Sanctuary at Home

It’s basically November, which can either bring an excited thrill because of the upcoming holiday season, or perhaps fill you with unease at how quickly the last month flew by. Don’t worry if you chose the latter because we did, too.

There’s a lot of outside noise going on right now—the recent BC election, the upcoming American one, ongoing inflation and expensive grocery bills, not to mention mortgage payments and everything else life throws our way. And the upcoming holidays, complete with gift giving pressures and all the social demands? Plus shorter daylight hours? It all adds up, often leaving us drained and overwhelmed. 

But thankfully October’s theme here at BC Living is about embracing wellness as we enter the cooler, darker quarter of the year. It’s a gentle reminder to stop and smell the flowers—or in this case, just slow down when everything else seems to ramp up. 

To help us do just that, we’ve touched base with Emilie Tremblay, founder of Minimalist Maven, a home organization company based in the Fraser Valley that specializes in creating functional living spaces to ease everyday life. So prepare to hunker down over the next couple months with these amazing tips as you turn your home into a cozy, self-care sanctuary for the rest of 2024. 

Tip One: Organize

If you read this and thought, “Ugh, no!” we’re here to pat you on the back and nod, because while we don’t want to say it either, we know it’s actually really important. As we move indoors we need to make these spaces as welcoming as possible. 

“A home is a safe space, a sanctuary that allows you to recharge and unplug,” says Emilie Tremblay. But in order for our homes to feel like a sanctuary, we actually need to treat them like one. Aka: keep it clean and tidy.

Tremblay says, “When your home is maintained, you can spend more time enjoying it and embracing those chilly evenings inside.” This means setting aside dedicated time to care for your home, like a weekend decluttering or engaging in a seasonal tidy, so that you can better enjoy the time indoors. 

“When your home is maintained, in turn, it increases productivity, feeling a sense of accomplishment, and promotes good physical and mental health,” she says. Perfect advice as we enter the days where the sun sets earlier, often plunging us into a bit of a seasonal funk—so to combat the autumn blues, keep your living spaces functional. 

Tip Two: Dedicated Spaces

Sometimes we need to get intentional with our home, and this includes setting up a specific, special place where we can go to recoup and recharge this fall. According to Tremblay, this could be anything from a special reading nook close to a bright window that filters in plenty of Vitamin D, to the bathroom where you engage in your skincare routine with seasonal specific products that promote hydration. In short, wherever it is, this area builds something to look forward to. 

“Having this space, which is truly custom to yourself, helps to set the tone for the day,” says Trembley, “and establishes a positive relationship between you and your home.” Which is vital when we begin spending more time inside. 

Another favourite to combat the weather changes is setting up a coffee station with all the seasonal syrups so you can enjoy a cheaper, home-made autumn coffee in the morning. For the perfect fall-themed cup of java, we highly recommend stocking up on Vancouver-based 49th Parallel Coffee Roasters, especially their Nostalgia. With softer acidity and notes of brown sugar and pecan, this is the perfect roast to sip on all autumn long. 

Tip Three: Refresh Your Decor

As much as we may not want to say it, the warmer months are well and truly past us—so it’s time to set up your decor to reflect this seasonal change in a way that promotes cozy, comforting vibes you want to curl up in. For an eco-friendly 100% handmade Turkish blanket, we’ve got The Vance Fleece Throw from Tofino Towel Co. on our list, especially for when we dive into themed movie-marathon nights. 

“Transition your throw pillows and blankets into more earthy tones to create a more moody, cozy autumn vibe,” says Trembley. “Also, adding texture, like a chunky knit throw blanket on your couch is a nice touch.” 

Shopping for fall decor is also a great way to give yourself a self-care outing, especially when you pack a warm, seasonal coffee along and spend some time browsing local shops. As Tremblay reminds us, they’re all carrying the most gorgeous seasonal decor at this time of year. 

 Trembley also recommends a stop by your local farm stand to grab fall fresh flowers so your home feels alive and seasonally appropriate! You can even keep an eye out for workshops at places like Floralista Flower Studio to get in the seasonal spirit, or just bring home some beautiful bouquets to brighten up your living space. Supporting local business also brings a warm, fuzzy feeling as we head into the end of the year. 

Tip Four: Seasonal Fragrances

Now is the time to switch out your summer candles for seasonal fragrances that fill your home with fall aromas, because after all, coffee and baked goods aren’t the only ways to bring some spice to your house! To wrap yourself in the warm, comforting scents of the season, we highly recommend Fern & Petal’s Autumn essential oil. 

With plenty of cinnamon, nutmeg, and orange peel, this warming scent can turn your home into a fall-themed sanctuary in minutes—don’t be surprised if you end up curling up on the couch for a soothing weekend afternoon.  

But for those who want to strike a match, we’re partial to the Okanagan Candle Co.’s 100% soy-based Spiced Pumpkin because, well, it’s a fall favourite for a reason! With a warm, crisp scent of pumpkin layered with  sweet molasses and coffee, as well as a cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg, we couldn’t imagine a better way to curl up and enjoy some R&R. You can even invest in a self-care evening by attending their candle curating workshop, where you get to bring home your work to enjoy over the next few months.

Tip Five: Seasonal Wardrobe Items 

Sweater weather is happening, and sometimes that means updating your closet with a couple of specific, cozy items to get you through the next couple months. This also follows Tremblay’s advice to let go of “junk” or unnecessary items you hold onto, and instead donate or store away the pieces you no longer need—freeing up space in your closet for these new pieces. “This will be a relief once accomplished,” she says. 

Thankfully, there are so many great local shops and artisans providing the perfect cardigans, sweaters, and all-around comforting pieces that can make these shorter days feel a lot less daunting thanks to soft and fuzzy textures. 

One item to keep an eye out for is The Cozy Wrap from One Wednesday, a lifestyle company committed to ethical and sustainable production. Intentionally big and baggy, this oversized sweater is made from 70% baby alpaca wool, making it super soft and perfect for fighting off the chilly air. 

Sometimes, colder weather means we need to slip into something a little more comforting—and by this, we mean these Felted Alpaca Slippers from Bare Knitwear. 

Hand crafted from a blend of Peruvian alpaca and wool, with a wide footbed so you can accommodate some big, chunky socks, these are the perfect seasonal footwear for lounging around the house. And you can rest assured knowing they’re authentic and held with the highest regard for ethics and the environment. 

Tip Six: Embrace Slow Living 

Sometimes we get so swept up in the craziness of the September-to-October grind that we forget to slow down. So consider this your reminder to slow it all down. We should use this time to recoup and recharge, going against the grain that promotes more hustle and bustle at this time of year. 

Trembley suggests implementing a new “autumn routine” before the end of the calendar year, even if it’s to spend more time at home, embrace the colder weather, and just incorporate a slower living ethos. Consider some new tasks or goals you want to accomplish before the New Year—maybe it’s just surviving until January, or even taking up that hobby you’ve wanted to do since March. 

Overall, creating a cozy, self-care sanctuary at home takes intentionality and patience. It requires dedication to upkeep and bringing in specific comforting touches that align with our own values and tastes, while always reflecting the need to rest and relax amidst the busy demands of everyday life. So curl up and enjoy a comforting rest of autumn!