How to Live a Cozy Off-Grid Life

Spread the love

Discover how to live a cozy off-grid life with practical tips for creating warmth, comfort, and peace in every season. From wood stove cooking and homemade sourdough to natural home insulation and unplugged entertainment, this guide will help you embrace the simple joys of self-sufficient living—no matter how far off the grid you are!

This post may contain affiliate links at no cost to you. Read my very boring disclosure for more information.

When people hear “off-grid,” they often picture rugged, survivalist living—hard work, no electricity, and endless chores. And sure, some of that is true. But what they don’t see is the incredible peace that comes from a life unplugged… or the comfort you can create with your own two hands. Over the years, I’ve learned that living off-grid doesn’t mean sacrificing the cozy things—it just means you have to be a little more intentional.

As the seasons shift and the air grows crisp, I find myself craving warm routines, hearty meals, and comforting spaces. So today, I want to invite you into my world and share exactly how I live a cozy off-grid life, one barefoot step at a time!

This is a pinnable post. Tap or hover over any image in this post to pin to your Pinterest Boards.

Image illustrates a Pinterest pin of an off-grid life.

Embracing the Art of Warmth Without the Grid

When fall rolls in, and especially as winter approaches, warmth becomes a top priority—but not just physical warmth. I’m talking about emotional warmth too: the kind that fills your home with peace, safety, and connection.

We heat our off-grid home with a wood stove, and it’s truly the heart of our cozy life. There’s something magical about stacking firewood you’ve chopped yourself, building the first fire of the season, and hearing that familiar crackle. It’s more than just heat—it’s a ritual. A signal that it’s time to slow down and draw inward.

We’ve added thermal curtains, draft stoppers (I even made my own with old flannel shirts), and extra quilts everywhere. At night, we heat up bricks by the wood stove, wrap them in cloth, and tuck them under the blankets to keep warm through the night.

Cooking Slow, Living Slow: Cozy Off-Grid Meals

Image illustrates fall cooking for off-grid living.

I believe cozy living starts in the kitchen. Our meals may be humble, but they’re made with love—and often cooked right on top of the wood stove.

When I think of off-grid coziness, I think of:

In the fall, I switch gears from quick summer meals to slow, nourishing cooking. I make big pots of stew that simmer all day. I bake batches of sourdough muffins with pumpkin or grated apples. My pantry becomes a cozy sanctuary—lined with jars of roasted pepper jam, pear sauce, and apple butter. When I see those jars gleaming in the firelight, I feel deeply prepared… and deeply comforted.

A Home that Feels Like a Hug

Cozy off-grid life isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how your space feels. We don’t have electric lights on-demand, so we’ve leaned into what I call “intentional lighting.” Beeswax candles, oil lamps, and fairy lights powered by solar batteries or LEDs—these cast a golden glow that makes every room feel warm, even if the temperature is cold.

I’ve layered old quilts on every bed and couch. I hang dried herbs from hooks on the walls. Pinecones sit in baskets by the firewood, and my shelves are filled with vintage books and handmade pottery. There’s nothing fancy about it… But it’s homey. Everything has a story. Everything is useful, or beautiful, or both.

Sometimes, when it’s especially cold and the wind howls outside, I’ll brew some spiced tea, wrap up in a shawl, and journal by candlelight. It’s not just cozy—it’s grounding. It’s something the modern world has lost, and I feel lucky to have kept this traditional, inspiring writing alive, which is why I started this little cozy blog to help inspire others.

Cozying Up with Nature

Image illustrates fall decor with nature for off-grid living.

One of the best parts of off-grid life is how deeply connected you become to the natural world. There’s no buffer—no city noise, no bright lights, no distractions. And that means you start noticing the beauty in small things.

Step-by-step backyard farming tips in Becoming a Backyard Farmer!

Get it on Amazon →

In the fall, I love foraging for wild rosehips and drying them for winter tea. I gather twigs and pine branches to craft wreaths or decorate the table. I even collect pretty leaves and press them in old books.

When you live close to the land, you find comfort in nature’s rhythms:

The crunch of leaves underfoot
The call of geese overhead
The hush of snow falling at night

Cozy off-grid life isn’t about escaping the elements—it’s about embracing them. I’ll sit on the porch wrapped in a blanket, hands curled around a steaming mug, just to watch the sunset paint the sky in oranges and purples. That’s a kind of wealth no money can buy.

Off-Grid Entertainment: Simple Pleasures

People often ask, “Don’t you get bored off-grid without TV or internet?” Since I’m a blogger, I do have both—but I choose to unplug and embrace simple pleasures that often get lost in the noise. Off-grid living invites me to slow down, enjoy quiet moments, and rediscover joy in the little things.

Here’s what cozy entertainment looks like for us:

Reading books by lantern light (check out a psychological thriller book I have written myself!)
Playing card games as a family (we love Skull King!)
Telling stories or reading aloud (Become a master storyteller!)
Journaling, sketching, or knitting by the fire
Listening to the wind or the owls at night

There’s a richness in these moments that I never felt during my plugged-in years. Cozy off-grid life means slowing down enough to be present, and that presence brings joy, connection, and peace.

Practical Comforts: Little Things That Make a Big Difference

Part of cozy living off-grid is preparing ahead for comfort. A few things I keep on hand always:

We also prioritize mental coziness: routines that keep our home calm and our family grounded. Morning chores, evening quiet time, gratitude lists, and seasonal celebrations all add to the richness of off-grid life.

Cozy Through Community

Cozy doesn’t have to mean solitary. One of my favorite things is inviting friends or neighbors over for soup and bread. We might sit around the table with candles flickering, swapping stories, and sharing laughter. That, to me, is the heart of cozy off-grid life—community and connection.

Even if you live miles away from anyone, you can still nurture connections through handwritten letters, bartering goods, or hosting a seasonal gathering when you can. We might be off-grid, but we’re never truly alone.

Conclusion

If I’ve learned anything from living this lifestyle, it’s this: cozy is a mindset. You don’t need a wood stove or a cabin in the woods to experience it. You just need to pause. Breathe. Choose intentional comfort.

For me, living a cozy off-grid life means choosing slowness over hustle, connection over convenience, and beauty over excess. It’s about finding peace in a steaming bowl of stew, a hand-sewn quilt, a soft light on a winter night. It’s about making your home—wherever and however you live—a sanctuary.

I hope this inspires you to create your own version of cozy, whether you live off-grid or just dream of it. Grab a warm drink, light a candle, and let your life soften around the edges. You deserve it!

Resources: Here are some helpful resources for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How do you stay warm off-grid without electricity?

We use a wood stove as our main heat source and supplement with draft stoppers, thermal curtains, layered quilts, and hot water bottles. It’s all about insulation and smart layering!

2. What are some cozy meals you can make off-grid?

I love slow-cooked stews, sourdough bread, apple crisps, and soups made right on the wood stove. Anything hearty, nourishing, and seasonal adds warmth to your day.

3. How do you light your home without power?

We use a mix of beeswax candles, oil lamps, and solar-powered string lights. The soft glow creates a peaceful, cozy atmosphere in every room.

4. What makes off-grid life feel “cozy” instead of hard?

Intention. Cozy comes from slowing down, cooking from scratch, gathering with loved ones, and surrounding yourself with warmth, texture, and seasonal beauty.