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Across cultures and dramatically different groups of people, something about coziness remains universal. The need to feel cozy is as much about emotion as it is physical comfort—and something that feels innately human and shared, even as the exact meaning of “cozy” varies from person to person.

So maybe, like staff writer Katie Okamoto, your idea of cozy is a steaming bowl of ramen and a movie night. Or maybe you need 2,000 vintage Scandinavian wooden trolls stuffed into every nook and cranny of your home, like you’d find at the family cabin of senior staff writer Signe Brewster (Wirecutter’s resident Minnesotan and Northwoods hygge expert). These recommendations from Wirecutter staffers are sure to turn a cold, dark mood into one that’s warm and fuzzy. We think at least one thing will meet your coziness needs—with or without the trolls.

Diaspora Co. The Essential Masala Dabba ($200 at the time of publication) Diaspora Co. Build Your Own Pack (from $60 for six jars at the time of publication) Burlap & Barrel Fundamentals Collection ($60 for six jars at the time of publication)

Consider turning up the heat in your hot chocolates and stews with fragrant direct-trade spices from Diaspora Co. or Burlap & Barrel. “Even a lazily brewed cup of basic black tea steeped with a couple cloves of Diaspora Co.’s Baraka Cardamom and a sprinkle of Burlap & Barrel’s Vietnamese Royal Cinnamon is enough to make the day seem more autumnal,” says staff writer Katie Okamoto. Diaspora Co. also sells a gorgeous hand-spun brass Masala Dabba (pictured above) filled with its seven most popular spices, which would make a great gift. Katie says, “I also love Burlap & Barrel’s lightly smoky Cobanero Chili Flakes for pretty much everything when I want to feel warm.” Supervising editor Daniela Gorny is also a fan. For the spice obsessed, she recommends a subscription to Burlap & Barrel’s Spice Club, which will ensure fresh seasonings for all your pies, soups, stews, and braises.

Emma Bridgewater Vegetable Garden Apples 1/2 Pint Mug ($35 at the time of publication) MarketSpice Apple & Cinnamon Tea ($5 for 4 ounces at the time of publication)

Firing up the kettle for a hot cup of tea is one of the first things we do as soon as the weather gets chilly. Senior staff writer Jackie Reeve loves the Apple & Cinnamon Tea from MarketSpice in Seattle. She pairs it with drinkware from her growing collection of Emma Bridgewater pottery, like the Halloween Toast Good Magic Cocoa Mug. “I collect their chicken mugs,” says Jackie, who wrote our incredible guide to the best chicken coop and accessories. “But honestly, take your pick. There are so many cozy ones: foxes, apples, village fireworks, etc.” The company’s designs change seasonally, so availability will vary depending on the time of year. (For more tea inspiration, we have a guide for that.)

Pro-Ject Debut Carbon Evo ($600 at the time of publication) Low, Hey What (vinyl) ($20 at the time of publication)

There’s a reason why vinyl made a comeback: Putting a record on a turntable—like Pro-Ject’s Debut Carbon Evo, our top pick—asks us to listen in a different way than DJing digital streams from your phone . As most of us struggle to reclaim our attention spans, it’s a relief to just commit to a full album and allow it to set the mood. Signe Brewster puts in a word for Hey What, the latest album from the Duluth, Minnesota–based band Low, “because the distortion sounds like a snowstorm.” Katie Okamoto recently invested in both of Billie Eilish’s vinyl LPs—Happier Than Ever and When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?—for their mood-blooming textures. Obviously, get the albums you love and let the vibes flow.

Emile Henry Modern Classics Rectangular Baker ($65 at the time of publication)

Signe Brewster, who lives in Minnesota, is our source for all things hotdish—a comforting, delicious, warm, all-in-one Midwestern meal served in a casserole dish. We love the 9-by-13-inch Emile Henry Modern Classics Rectangular Baker because it heats evenly and holds a lot. It’s not too fancy for everyday use, but it’s still gorgeous enough to have at your holiday table. If you want something that’s easier to transport to a potluck, the OXO Good Grips 3-Qt Glass Baking Dish with Lid is a great option. And if you need inspiration for what to put in said casserole dish, we think none other than a true Midwestern staple, the tater tot casserole, is the king of hotdishes, thanks to its creamy mushroom base and tangy ketchup drizzle. Or try one of Molly Yeh’s various takes on the meal, like this latke hotdish. For coziness of a less Midwestern, more Sopranos-style flavor, you can always use the casserole dish for baked ziti.

Saito Wood Rectangle Tray (from $40 at the time of publication) Marimekko Mini Unikko plywood tray ($50 at the time of publication)

Cold weather has a way of reminding us that we’re just mammals who need to gather up our essential things, nest, and rest. Lean into the impulse and introduce trays to your indoor life, so that you can easily bring your cup of tea, cookies, book, candle, and inevitable cold-season tissues with you from table to couch. Katie Okamoto likes the lightweight Saito Wood Rectangle Tray; Signe Brewster has high praise for the round Marimekko Mini Unikko plywood tray, with its cheerful but understated poppy pattern. “I use mine to move my laptop/snacks/drinks from room to room, but you could put even cozier things on it!” says Signe.

L.L.Bean Wicked Good Moccasins (women’s, men’s; $80 at the time of publication)

Having cold feet is the opposite of being cozy. Nothing feels as good as a pair of slippers to warm your body from the ground up. L.L. Bean’s Wicked Good Moccasins have been a favorite of ours since 2016: The classic sheepskin slippers are super soft, yet still durable enough to jaunt outside if you need to. Software engineer Jacob Baker loves his Glerups Wool Slipper Boots, the upgrade pick in our guide to the best slippers. “I’d been searching for a good pair of slippers for years, but my sweaty feet always ruin them,” Jacob says. “The Glerups boots have held up incredibly well!” And if thick socks are more your thing, last year staff writer Dorie Chevlen found these classic Roots Cabin socks, which she says are super comfy and look great, too. (If you already have a favorite pair of socks that just needs some mending, we have advice for that, as well.)

Keap Wood Cabin Candle ($50 at the time of publication) Hygge Life Royal Copenhagen Pillar candles (from about $20 at the time of publication) Wick ($160 at the time of publication)

In the land of cozy, you can never have enough candles, whether you prefer scented candles that emit fall scents—cinnamon, pine, pumpkin—or unscented ones that add a glow to your space and just look good. If you really want that woodsy cabin feel, Keap’s Wood Cabin Candle has notes of “lush evergreen boughs, freshly cut firewood, and moss-covered bark,” writes Sarah Witman in our guide to the best scented candles. “You can almost feel the scratchiness of a Pendleton wool blanket draped over your shoulders.” For a more decorative touch, Signe Brewster loves the elegant, unscented Royal Copenhagen Pillar candles, which come printed with delicate florals and are perfect for setting a festive table. And if you don’t want a real flame around, we love the Wick, a portable LED light that provides a flickering ambience without the fire hazard.

Garnet Hill Plush-Loft Blanket (queen) ($200 at the time of publication) Faribault Woolen Mill Co. Pure & Simple Wool Blanket (queen) ($245 at the time of publication)

When it comes to cuddling up and getting warm, the perfect blanket is a must. We have tons of recommendations for blankets and throws, but we particularly love Garnet Hill’s Plush-Loft Blanket, (it’s also available as a throw), which feels like a cool quilt on one side and has super-soft faux fur on the other. It was one of the fluffiest blankets we tested, but it’s still durable enough to withstand kids and pets. If you want a more classic cabin look, Faribault Woolen Mill Co.’s Pure & Simple Wool Blanket is a gorgeous all-wool option. Faribault also releases seasonal versions of its wool blankets, like the patterned Sanborn Canoe (which you can get with matching pillow cases).

Sleepy Jones Twyla T-Shirt Dress (about $100 at the time of publication) Hanna Andersson Adult Long John Top In Organic Cotton (about $40 at the time of publication) Hanna Andersson Adult Long John Pant In Organic Cotton (about $40 at the time of publication)

In addition to being warm under a big pile of blankets, wearable comfort is essential. Staff writer Katie Okamoto has a soft, oversized Sleepy Jones Twyla T-Shirt Dress, which they’ve owned for several years and say just gets better and softer with time. And while we have several cozy robe and comfy pajama picks for you to lounge in, senior staff writer Jackie Reeve is partial to Hanna Andersson’s Long John tops and bottoms, which come in fun seasonal prints for both adults and kids, so the whole family can match. But if a big, thick, snuggly hooded sweatshirt is more your style, editor Joshua Lyon got a Filson Double Layer Full-Zip Hoodie last fall that he purposely bought a size or two larger so he could drown himself in hoodie heaven.

The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking ($12 at the time of publication) Japanese Hot Pots: Comforting One-Pot Meals by Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat ($17 at the time of publication)

“Curling up with a book” is a cliché for a reason, and the pleasure of being immersed in a good paperback or ebook is somehow amplified in colder weather. What makes a book hold our attention and light our imagination is highly personal. But if it’s a cozier, warmer, brighter world you’re seeking, books about design, lifestyle, and cooking can be reliably evocative. “After studying in Denmark, my sister got me The Little Book of Hygge, which is meta hygge, both inspiring it and being it,” says Dorie Chevlen. Katie Okamoto looks to cookbooks: “When the temperature drops, I always go to Japanese Hot Pots by Tadashi Ono and Harris Salat and Donabe by Naoko Takei Moore and Kyle Connaughton,” Katie says, “both of which are great inspirations for cozy, low-fuss cooking, and also seem to warm me up just by looking at them.” Or look to poetry that speaks in the language of nature—The Wild Iris, by Pulitzer Prize winner Louise Gluck, puts you inside the garden and reminds you that the next season is always around the corner.

Fireplace 4K: Classic Crackling Fireplace on Netflix (subscription required) National Knitting Eve on NRK TV (free at the time of publication)

Sakte-TV (aka slow TV) is a peaceful genre of television that Norway’s national broadcasting network, the NRK, popularized in 2009 when it released a seven-hour video of a train journey through idyllic Norwegian landscapes. Now you can find such shows everywhere, including on Netflix, where you can turn on the popular Fireplace for Your Home to get the feel of a warm, crackling fire without an actual fireplace. These shows may not be news anymore, but we’re still hooked—and always finding new ones to unwind with and play peacefully in the background. Editorial assistant Erin Moore loves this hours-long Norwegian knitting program that captures the entire process of knitting a piece of clothing, from sheep to finished sweater. If you need more inspiration, check out this slow TV map of videos from around the world—you’re sure to find a soothing one that suits your mood.

Ekelund Weavers Hostgladje Kitchen Towel ($30 at the time of publication) Bürstenhaus Redecker Natural Dish Cloth ($14 for a set of two at the time of publication)

When you’re spending more time in the kitchen—even if all that means is boiling water for tea or boxed mac and cheese—a kitchen towel can feel like a friend, cleaning up messes, acting as a makeshift pot holder, or folding up into an ad hoc trivet. Our guide to the best kitchen towels is an excellent place to start, but Wirecutter staff members also have other suggestions for towels to help brighten up your space. Signe Brewster recommends the cheery, traditional Swedish tea towels by Ekelund Weavers, which her family uses in their cabin. For a more minimalist but still cabin-esque look, Katie Okamoto is a fan of the plush, absorbent, and generously sized Bürstenhaus Redecker cotton kitchen cloths. “A friend also gave us a pair of linen napkins from Hawkins New York a couple of years ago, and they’re so soft and versatile as napkins, kitchen towels, or anything else you might need them for, and have held up despite weekly washes,” says Katie. “The earthy colorways—and especially rust, terracotta, and mustard—are extremely autumnal.”

L.L.Bean Waxed-Canvas Log Carrier ($70 at the time of publication) Duluth Trading Co. Fire Hose Log Carrier ($60 at the time of publication)

If you’re lucky enough to own a fireplace, a wood stove, or an outdoor fire pit, what better way to add to the charm than an old-fashioned log carrier to make trips to and from your wood pile a little more enjoyable? L.L.Bean makes a sturdy Waxed-Canvas Log Carrier that you can monogram for the designated fire-builder in your house. If burning wood is how you heat your home all winter long, we suggest Duluth Trading Co.’s larger, 100% cotton canvas Fire Hose Log Carrier, which features heavy-duty leather carry handles and is big enough to hold some hefty logs. It’ll also keep your space clean from any bark or dirt that comes off during transit. And for those of us less adept at building fires, we suggest a box of naturally resinous Fatwood to make starting one a lot easier.

4Claws Furry Pet Bed/Mat (about $40 at the time of publication) Majestic Pet Suede Bagel Dog Bed (small) (about $40 at the time of publication) Hanna Andersson Pet Johns In Organic Cotton (from about $30 at the time of publication)

If our pets aren’t warm and cozy, neither are we. Why not spoil them a bit with a brand-new bed? For cats, we love this cozy, extra-soft 4Claws Furry Pet Bed/Mat, which comes as a flat mat but quickly converts to a bed, though your kitty will love kneading (aka “making biscuits”) on it either way. For dogs, the Majestic Pet Suede Bagel Dog Bed has been a Wirecutter favorite for years. Pair it with some Hanna Andersson Pet Johns In Organic Cotton to keep your furry friend extra warm—and to match the PJs for humans we mentioned above.

Katie Okamoto is the lead editor of sustainability at Wirecutter. She’s been studying, working in, and writing about the complexities of sustainability since 2005. Among other things, she’s been an editor at Metropolis, where she focused on the intersection of environment and design; a manager at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection; a designer; and a freelance writer. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies, as well as a master’s in architecture, and has covered the overlaps between sustainability and other topics for publications including The Atlantic, Newsweek, and Catapult.

Daniela Gorny is a supervising editor covering home goods, linens, and furniture at Wirecutter. She previously worked as an architect and received a master’s degree in city design and sociology. You can usually find her walking her dog and exploring the hilly trails of Los Angeles.

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