STAYING COSY
The Wholesome Way of
⬩Where slow living meets the art of home.⬩
From sustainable interiors to slow living rituals.
We all crave a home that feels natural, intuitive, and connected to the world around us, yet still works for modern life. That’s why I love exploring ways to blend mindful, eco-friendly living with beautiful, functional design. Here, you’ll find practical tips and inspiration to help you create spaces that nurture both your family and the planet.
Staying Cosy — Make your home breathe with you.
“A decade into my design journey, I am raising my family in our lovely, healthy eco-home.
Our walls are plastered with clay from the garden soil, and fresh air moves through the house constantly — silent and invisible. When winter sets in, I’d rather bake a cake to warm the house than turn up the dial. Outside the window, the scent of herbs and the deep hues of perennial flower beds complete the picture.
This is the reality I once imagined. Now, I’d love to help you create yours.”
Jana van Niekerk
founder of Staying Cosy
Forget the frantic cleaning lists. Embrace a slow spring reset with three rituals focused on sensory restoration. From the cross-breeze refresh to the deep nourishment of natural wood and stone, learn to revitalise your space.
Move beyond clinical modifications to create a wheelchair-friendly home that prioritises dignity and fluid design — proving that true accessibility never has to compromise on style.
This is the story of our house journey. From dreaming to embracing natural materials and the everyday moments that turn a newly-built house into a home.
Windows aren’t just bare glass. They bring light, mood, and character to your home. Learn how the right shapes, frames, and colours turn everyday views into stunning architectural statements.
A healthy home is more than an aesthetic. By applying holistic interior design principles you can turn it into a calm and nourishing sanctuary.
Learn how interior lighting affects mood and comfort. Discover warmth, brightness, and layered lighting to create cosy, functional spaces every hour of the day.
Clutter isn’t just a visual mess — it steals our time, focus, and mental energy. Discover how intentional decluttering, practical systems, and valuing what we already have can create a calmer, more meaningful life.
Lighting that does more than glow — sculptural lamps turn your rooms into galleries, blend artistry with function, and invite you to slow down and enjoy the atmosphere.
Black mould in your bathroom again? It keeps coming back for a reason. From hidden moisture to poor airflow, understanding the cause is key to stopping it for good.
Freshen up your home naturally! Explore 7 easy air-purifying plants that clean the air, boost your mood, and bring greenery into every corner.
Bring mocha tones into your cosy Christmas home with natural decorations, DIY touches, and layered browns for a grounded festive vibe.
A year ago, we gave ourselves an interior Christmas gift — a sustainable living room refresh. By reusing furniture and making thoughtful swaps, we slowly shaped a healthier, more mindful home.
From weekday dinners to festive feasts, explore dining tables that stand the test of time and make every gathering feel special.
Simplify prep, decorate sustainably, enjoy rituals, and create an eco-friendly season full of joy with my holistic guide to a thoughtful Christmas planning.
How big should your ideal home be? When you imagine the perfect home size, is it a spacious house with a backyard for summer barbecues, or a cosy apartment where every nook has a purpose?
Have you got a favourite colour you totally love? Let me show you how you can use it in your home like a pro and breathe new life into even the plainest room.
The fresh new paint, that beautiful new sofa—do we really know what they’re made of? If you live in a world of blissful oblivion this might be your red pill.
We intuitively create paths whenever we choose to step off the paved road—not to rebel, but just because it feels right. We follow our instincts, our rhythm… or maybe just the sun on the quickest way home.
A little kitchen, a lot of charm. The question is: can we create a functional and spacious kitchen even in limited square meters and on a modest budget? You bet you can!
Staying Cosy is my creative home — a space where I share my writing, interiors work, original photography, and thoughtfully created graphics. Unless otherwise credited, all content and imagery on this site are my own. © Jana van Niekerk
Happy reading — and stay cosy!


Don’t wait for the garden to bloom to bring spring inside. From bare branches to growing edible windowsill forests, explore foraged home decor and master the art of natural Easter table styling.