Cozy Snow Day at Home: New England Winter Decor and Simple Comforts

One of my very favorite things in life is a cozy snow day at home, and New England does it best. On the coast of Maine, a foot of snow can fall overnight, the wind howls around our cedar-shingled house, and by morning, we have the fireplace going by 7 a.m., burning all day while a crock pot or big pot of bolognese simmers in the kitchen. Once the snow lets up, we bundle up, hop in the car, and go for a drive to see the surf crashing along the beaches, everything quiet and white and sparkling. Back at home, I dabble with simple winter tablescapes, layer quilts, pillows, and throws in the living room, and Ella, our Bernese Mountain Dog curls up in front of the fire for a long nap.

In Vermont, the vibe shifts to vintage ski lodge decor and mountain views, neighbors heading out early with skis on their cars for first tracks before coming home to the same cozy rituals: comfort food on the stove, soft layers of vintage textiles, a movie on in the background, and that deep, peaceful hush that only a snow day brings. Today, I am sharing how I pull all of that together into New England winter decor and simple comforts you can borrow for your own cozy snow day at home, no matter where you live.

Cozy Snow Day At Home: Things To Do On A Snowy Day Inside

Snowed in today? Not sure what to do besides make another cup of coffee and stare out the window? If you love vintage decor, cozy corners, and the charm of a good old-fashioned snow day, you’re in the right place. Let’s turn this quiet, snowy day into something memorable, with simple comforts, layered textures, and a few decorating ideas that make staying home feel like exactly where you’re meant to be.

Ease Into Your Cozy Snow Day with a Peaceful Winter Morning

The best cozy snow days start slow, and in New England, that means firewood stacked, slippers on, and something warm in your favorite mug. At home in Maine, we keep dried firewood in the garage and fire up the hearth first thing, usually around 7 a.m., when Ella gets her breakfast. She heads outside to play in the snow while I settle into the living room, coffee in hand, and watch the snow drift past our cedar-shingled house. It’s quiet, peaceful, and just the kind of morning that makes you fall in love with winter all over again.

Over in Vermont, things look a little different. If the snow is light, we may sneak in a hot tub soak with a mug of hot cocoa while the mountains disappear and reappear through waves of stormy sky and shifting light. The neighbors head out early with skis on their cars chasing first tracks, but we’re just as happy staying in, watching the view change by the hour.

A few cozy snow day morning ideas to try:

There’s something magical about a snow day morning that invites you to pause, and that’s where the cozy really begins.

Take In the Snowy Day Views: From Coastal Surf to Mountain Peaks

One of my favorite parts of any cozy snow day is stepping outside, if only for a little while, to soak in the scenery. In coastal Maine, we bundle up and head out for a slow drive along the beaches, where the surf crashes against the snowy shoreline. The sky is often dramatic, and the snow softens everything around the Nubble lighthouse, one of our go-to scenic stops on snow days. It’s always worth the ride.

In Vermont, the views are all about the mountains. On some snow days, we’ll meander up to the slopes mid-morning to catch the freshies, what the locals call first tracks during a snowfall. There’s something about skiing while the snow is still coming down that makes the whole experience feel even more magical. Other times, we’ll stay close to home, snowshoeing through the fields or taking Ella for a walk around the neighborhood. She’s totally in her element when it snows, especially with her plaid scarf wrapped around her neck, eager to say hello to neighbors out shoveling or snowblowing their driveways. Whether we’re in the mountains or by the sea, these snowy day scenes never get old, and they’re just as much a part of the cozy snow day experience as the time spent indoors.

A few ways to enjoy the snowy scenery around you:

Put On a Pot of Something Cozy for the Snow Day Ahead

When I hear a snow day is in the forecast, one of the first things I do is start planning what we’re going to cook. There’s something so comforting about having a big pot simmering away while the snow falls outside. It could be our favorite sweet-and-savory bolognese, a slow-cooked Guinness beef stew, or something simple in the crockpot that makes the house smell amazing all day long.

In both Maine and Vermont, cooking becomes part of the rhythm of the snow day itself, prepping the ingredients, setting the table, and letting it all come together while the fire crackles in the background. Sometimes I’ll set a casual winter table in the kitchen or dining room, just for the two of us. Nothing fancy, maybe some vintage dishes, linen napkins, and a candle or two, but enough to make the day feel a little extra special. Here are a few casual winter tablescape ideas:

Cozy snow day cooking ideas to try:

Snow days are the perfect excuse to slow down and enjoy something homemade, and the cozier, the better.

Create a Cozy Snow Day Afternoon You’ll Actually Enjoy

There’s something about a snow day afternoon that just begs you to slow down and settle in, but if you’re anything like me, you’ll still find a few things to dabble with. I might curl up with a favorite movie (usually one I’ve seen a dozen times before) or flip through a decorating book with a cozy drink in hand. But more often than not, I find myself puttering around the house, styling a new table setting, rearranging a hutch, or switching out Christmas touches for softer winter decor.

If I’m home solo, I might finally start that holiday craft project I’ve been putting off, or wash a few slipcovers while I tweak the fireplace mantel. Sometimes I just walk from room to room with a cup of a second cup of coffee, changing out light bulbs to softer, warmer tones or creating a cozy nook that didn’t exist the day before. These are the slow, satisfying kinds of snow day rhythms that make being home feel like a gift.

Cozy snow day afternoon ideas to try:

At Dabbling & Decorating, this is what it’s all about: finding comfort, beauty, and inspiration in the everyday moments, especially when the snow starts to fall.

New England Winter Decor Ideas For A Cozy Snow Day At Home

Once you’ve had your coffee, taken in the snowy views, and maybe started something simmering on the stove, it’s time to make the inside of your home feel just as cozy as the scene outside. Whether you’re tucked into a vintage ski lodge in the Vermont mountains or staying warm by the fire in a coastal Maine cottage, these New England winter decor ideas will help you create a cozy snow day at home with charm and comfort in every corner.

Style a Cozy Living Room Around the Fire

The heart of any cozy snow day at home is the living room, and for us, it always starts with the fire. In Maine, we keep it going from early morning on, with our antique churn coffee table (a favorite piece that once belonged to my mother) layered in books, mugs, and maybe a flickering candle or two. Quilts and pillows are everywhere, and Ella is usually curled up close, soaking in all the warmth.

In Vermont, our pellet stove hums all day long while snow swirls past the windows and the sun peeks in and out behind the mountains. Our vintage ski lodge decor spills out onto the porch just beyond the living room, adding that extra bit of charm you only get in winter. This is the space where we settle in, rest, rearrange, and fully enjoy the stillness that only a snowy day can bring.

Below, you’ll find some of my favorite winter living room ideas, cozy corners, and seasonal styling tips from both homes.

Layer Vintage Textiles for a Collected and Cozy Winter Look

There’s nothing that makes a home feel cozier on a snow day than layers of well-loved vintage textiles. In Maine, I lean into antique fabrics with character, braided rugs, heirloom quilts, and those retro coastal drapes that always make me smile. In Vermont, it’s more of a vintage cottage style, with soft quilts, pinstripes, paisleys, and Woolrich pieces like the swatch I found at Vintage & Vogue Market that adds just the right texture to a chair or bench.

I love to drape sheepskins over bed rails and old benches, tuck quilts into beds, or simply layer them over the backs of chairs. Even drawing the curtains or pulling down the shades can transform a space and make it feel instantly more snug. Whether I’m styling a nook in Maine or cozying up a corner in Vermont, it’s these small, layered details that bring warmth and charm to a snowy day indoors.

Style a Snowy Porch with Vintage Winter Decor

Our Vermont porch always becomes part of the cozy snow day experience. With snowshoes leaned against the wall, vintage skis tucked near the door, and boots lined up after a snowy walk, it takes on a quiet, collected charm that feels straight out of a winter postcard. I love to layer in ski lodge pillows, antique finds, and pieces from my vintage ski lodge decor series to give the space that extra cozy, lived-in feel, especially when the mountains are dusted in fresh snow just beyond the porch steps.

In Maine, we don’t have a full porch, but I’ll sometimes style our antique-style front door with a pair of snowshoes and a few ice lanterns on the stone steps. Even the simplest snowy moment, like watching the flakes pile up in the yard, can feel magical with just a few vintage winter touches.

You can explore more of our seasonal porch styling and vintage ski lodge decor ideas below.

Cozy Snow Day Comforts That Make Staying Home Feel Special

Sometimes it’s the smallest moments that leave the biggest impression. On a cozy snow day at home, I love leaning into those simple comforts, the ones that make the house feel warmer, the day feel slower, and the season feel a little more magical. Whether it’s something as small as restyling a shelf or saying hello to a neighbor out snowblowing, these quiet rituals are what truly make a snow day feel like something to savor.

Style Simple Winter Moments That Make a Cozy Snow Day Feel Special

One of my favorite things to do on a cozy snow day at home is walk room to room, creating little moments that make the house feel extra warm and inviting. I might stack a few vintage books beside a chair or layer them on the coffee table with a candle and a soft throw. In the bathroom, I’ll light a candle early and let it flicker all day long, just one of those small touches that make a big difference.

Over in Maine, I especially love decorating the windowsill on a snowy day. The natural light is just right, and it’s one of my favorite spots to snap a quick photo. Sometimes I’ll put together a tabletop vignette in the kitchen or set a simple table with vintage linens and dishes, even if we’re not planning anything special. These are the kinds of cozy winter moments that turn an ordinary snow day into something worth remembering.

Enjoy the Snow Day with a Cozy Gathering or a Quiet Companion

Snow days have a way of bringing people together, whether it’s neighbors gathering after the storm clears or simply sharing the quiet with a four-legged friend. In Vermont, we love to host an après-ski-style get-together once the snow lets up and the sun comes out. While everyone’s out shoveling or snowblowing, we’ll set up a cozy table on the porch, light the pellet stove, and enjoy the snowy mountain air with friends and something warm to sip on. It’s casual, fun, and one of the best ways to make the most of a snowy day.

In Maine, it’s a different kind of gathering, just me and Ella, watching the snow fall outside the windows, moving slowly through the day, and appreciating the stillness. Whether it’s a house full of company or just your pup curled up by the fire, snow days are meant to be shared in the most comforting of ways.

Cozy Snow Day Ideas to Inspire You—No Matter Where You Live

You don’t need a Vermont mountain view or a coastal Maine cottage to enjoy a cozy snow day at home. With just a few simple touches, like a flickering candle, a favorite meal on the stove, or a layered winter vignette, you can create the same kind of comfort wherever you are. Snow days are about slowing down, staying present, and finding joy in the little things.

If this post inspired you, I’d love for you to pin it, share it with a friend, or leave a comment with how you spend your own cozy snow days at home. And if you’re looking for more cozy decorating ideas, I’ve linked a few favorite seasonal living room posts below to keep the inspiration going. Stay warm and cozy, friends.

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