We all want a warm and welcoming living room where we can put our feet up and relax. Whether you're enjoying some time on your own or entertaining friends, the living room should be somewhere everyone loves to spend time.
If your living room is more cold than cosy, then it's time for a rethink. In this blog, we'll run through simple tips you can follow to create a cosy living room you can't wait to get back to at the end of each day.
Cosy Living Room Ideas
When we think of cosy living rooms, we might picture a small room with a roaring fire and a comfortable armchair. However, cosy isn't restricted to one kind of living room. No matter how big or small your space is or the aesthetic you want to pursue, cosy is achievable.
If you're planning a living room renovation, it's easy to focus on how the room will eventually look. And although that's important, you must remember to consider how the room will feel once you're finished.
By having a clear idea in your mind at the start, you can ensure that every decision you make, even down to the tiniest detail, is done with the objective of a cosy living room.
If you don't have a full-scale makeover planned, then this blog is still for you. With the slightest changes and adjustments, you can bring cosy energy to your living room, perfect for snuggling up while it's dark outside.
Cosy Living Room Idea 1: A Warm Colour Palette
Blue Swirl Watercolour wall mural
Certain tones and shades can evoke different feelings in a room. Bright yellows bring positivity and good energy, but they aren't as effective at creating a warm and cosy atmosphere. Warm, dark colours are better suited to a comfy living room.
Warm colours make the room feel smaller and more intimate, which is perfect for a welcoming ambience. Darker shades give an impression of warmth - remember, people in hot countries prefer clothing in light colours because they are better at reflecting the sun's rays.
We associate dark with warm, making something like a navy blue, deep berry or earthy brown ideal for a living room. If you've already committed to a lighter colour scheme, worry not. Choose darker accent colours to tone down the lighter shades and bring a cosy energy to your space.
Cosy Living Room Idea 2: Powerful Patterns
Minimalism is the enemy of cosiness (more on that later). Bold, dark painted walls are perfectly suited to a warm atmosphere. However, if you prefer patterns to paint, then choose wisely. Small, simple patterns can remove some of that intimacy we referenced earlier. It might look fabulous, but any gaps in the pattern can add blank space that might feel a little cold and harm the cosy mission we're trying to accomplish.
Instead, go big and bold with your patterns or choose a dramatic wall mural that provides the perfect backdrop to your cosy living room. Add complementary touches made from soft fabrics and warm lighting to create the perfect space for you to relax in.
Cosy Living Room Idea 3: Natural Fixtures
Wood is much more cosy than metal or plastic. It's a warm material that feels intimate, like we're chatting next to a campfire. The more metal you bring into your living room, the colder and more artificial it can begin to feel.
Always choose natural materials for your accessories. A woollen rug, rattan furniture and even simple firewood will all contribute to the room's overall atmosphere. Plastic and metal are functional and can be used sparingly but offset them with natural touches.
Simple cushions, real plants and an oversized rug can help keep the space warm and create a feeling of comfort. You can even incorporate this biophilic approach into your wall decor. The Leafy Paradise mural above shows how effective it can be to bring the great outdoors into your living room.
Cosy Living Room Idea 4: Rugs, Rugs, Rugs
Grey with Gold Marble wall mural
If you've already carried out a living room makeover but think it's missing the mark when it comes to cosy, then there are a few simple steps you can take. Even a cold, spacious living room can feel like a warm English cottage with the right accessories.
If you have a large space, then carpeting is your best friend. However, if you've committed to on-trend wooden or polished concrete floors, then a rug will keep warmth from escaping underfoot. In fact, you could layer rugs to make the living room feel extra cosy.
Choose the softest materials for your rugs that will feel snug and comfortable between your toes. Stepping from a wooden floor in the hallways onto the rug in your living room will subconsciously help you to begin to relax.
Cosy Living Room Idea 5: Personal Maximalism
It's worth saying again, minimalism is the enemy of cosy. The more empty and sparse a room is, the colder it can feel. We've been keeping our eye on the growing trend of maximalism and we're big fans.
Maximalism is best summed up as 'more is more'. It's a celebration of bold colours, dramatic patterns and sentimental accessories that all combine to make a room feel like a true reflection of us.
Fill your walls with artwork you love. Bring family photographs to shelves. Embrace your favourite colour in the decor. Add one more plant to the space. Infuse the whole room with hobbies and things that are important to you! We love how one Reddit user has embraced all things maximalist in their living room!
Image credit: @Ryokrea72 on Reddit
Cosy Living Room Idea 6: Soft Fabrics
Dark, warm tones are best suited to a cosy living room, but we understand you might have opted for something lighter. Bright shades help bring light into a room and make a small space feel larger.
But a light room can also feel cosy. Soft fabrics can bring warmth back into the room and make a bright, spacious living room somewhere you love to spend time. We'd add a large rug and oversized cushions to the above living room. Large cushions give us something to sink into at the end of a stressful day. Perfect!
Lighting is also incredibly important. We'd add several lamps that are fitted with warm white bulbs. This will completely transform the energy of the room. Plus, the act of turning off the big light and switching on the lamps will become part of your daily cosy routine.
Cosy Living Room Idea 7: Green Living
Indoor plants are a must-have for any cosy space. The physical and psychological benefits of bringing a little bit of the outdoors into your home are well-documented. However, in addition to reduced stress levels, improved mood, and a possible drop in blood pressure, house plants also positively contribute to your living room's ambience.
We can't help you choose the houseplants that best suit your space, but we believe you can never have enough. Plants (and flowers!) help a room feel cosy, and the serotonin boost of watching something grow and thrive can't be understated either.
Even if you don't have much space, hanging plants are a great way to shift the eyeline of a room. Add tiny succulents to coffee tables or bookcases and fill space that would otherwise be left empty.
Cosy Living Room Idea 8: Embrace the Holidays
Central Park Covered in Snow wall mural
If you're reading this in February, then this cosy living room idea might not make much sense at the moment. However, when the holidays do next roll around, a simple way to make a living room feel more cosy is by embracing the festive season.
The more you decorate a space for the holidays, the more you fill it with joy and happiness - perfect for fighting back against those cold and dark nights.
By embracing the holidays, we don't just mean putting up the tree and calling it a day. Transform your whole living room into a festive winter wonderland, grab a hot chocolate and put on your favourite Christmas film. Absolute perfection.
Ready to create your dream cosy living room?
If you're ready to begin your living room makeover, why not head over to our extensive range of designer living room wallpaper murals for inspiration? Which of our cosy living room ideas are you most excited by? Do you already have the perfect cosy living room and think we missed something crucial? Let us know in the comments below!
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