Warren Heath
The living room is often the epicentre of the home so needs to be comfortable, welcoming and most importantly cosy. No matter your household, your living room serves a whole host of purposes, be it a family play zone, an entertaining area or a space to relax and unwind on a night in. It is often one of the spaces where families spend most of their time together, so it is essential to make it work perfectly, no matter how big or small. Here’s the expert’s formula for year-round cosiness.
1. Bring in the layers
Creating instant cosiness is all about getting the right seasonal layers and updating them as the seasons change. For example, in summer, swap dark, heavy cushions for fresher, brighter colours and choose floaty throws in linen and soft blues; in winter go for texture and warmth in your colour palette, with chunky throws and earthy tones.
2. Add texture with flooring
Add texture and warmth to your room with a rug. It keeps your toes nice and warm and retains the heat in a space. If your home is open-plan, use an oversized rug to help frame the living space. For an extra level of comfort and warmth, in-floor heating is a great option, giving you the option to heat each room individually or multiple spaces throughout. So no matter where in the room you are you’ll feel nice and cosy.
3. Install a fireplace
Yes, a fireplace will keep you physically warm in the cooler months but the structure itself has a visual warmth. A fireplace makes a statement and gives the space a focal point, encouraging the layout of your furniture to face towards it and enjoy cosy comfort.
4. Upgrade key furniture pieces
In a small room, resist the temptation to place your sofa along the wall and try bringing it forward. Anchor it with a rug and side table and clear the space behind the sofa to create a clear thoroughfare for a clever and cosy use of space.
5. Find your centrepiece
A feature wall is another great way to add depth and warmth to your living space. Wallpaper? Colour? Timber detailing? It’s up to you and the best part is that by choosing just one show-stopping feature wall to elevate your living room, it’s easier to redecorate it with the latest trends as you tire of the look.
6. Keep it clutter-free
One of the biggest failings in living room decoration is the inadequate storage. There’s nothing warm and cosy about looking at mess and clutter. Look for out-of-the-box storage solutions that keep mess out of sight. Think woven baskets, functional furniture and built-in cupboards.
7. Embrace ‘old meets new’ styling
Don’t be afraid to mix and match some older vintage-style pieces with modern furniture. The curves and textures of older pieces placed together with sleek modern designs create a quirky mismatched feel. Think furnishings, artwork and lighting for an eclectic look.
8. Introduce colour
Switching up your decor is an instant way to transform a room between seasons, but for the pieces that will stick around all year, stick to a consistent colour palette. Make sure you refer back to your base colours when choosing colours and fabrics, choose three or four consistent warm tones.
9. Light it up
Nothing says cosy like a warmly lit space. Avoid using bright LEDs by opting for dimmable lights and add a selection of floor and table lamps to switch on the warm vibes.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
