No matter if it’s after a long day at work or you’re hosting guests and family members, a cozy living room provides an intimate space to connect and make memories. There are various ways you can create this cozy environment – from welcoming plush textures and lighting effects to selecting an appropriate color palette and furniture arrangement.
Natural Light
Natural lighting sources are one of the best ways to add natural luminosity and vitamin D into any space, as well as brighten it even more. If your living room contains large windows, make sure they remain unobstructed to let in maximum sunshine; mirrors can help amplify this light further.
Use of appropriate lighting color temperatures can also create a cozy feel. Warmer hues such as orange-yellow are known to promote relaxation and warmth; for a more invigorating ambiance, try opting for cooler hues like blue-white (5,000-6,000 Kelvin).
When choosing the color palette for your living space, opt for warm neutrals like espresso brown, mushroom and camel tan to bring more warmth. For an additional pop of color try robin’s egg blue, lavender or goldenrod as these hues evoke nature while creating an instantaneous feeling of coziness and comfort.
Comfortable Seating
There’s nothing quite as inviting as a living room filled with comfortable couches, chairs and plush rugs to make guests feel at ease. To encourage conversation and encourage everyone to gather around the center of the seating arrangement for more meaningful conversation. Adding drapes can add extra warmth, filter harsh sunlight or darken the room for movie night – as shown here in Devin Kirk’s black living room design.
Use natural materials like stone and wood to give your living room an earthier aesthetic. Replace a hard coffee table with one made from rustic reclaimed wood pieces, adding cozy seating arrangements like woven chairs to complete this cozy look.
Deep blue hues create an instantly relaxing environment in any space. Use this moody shade as an accent wall color, in an upholstered sofa fabric or throw pillows for comforting effect in any area of the room. Add warmth with mustard yellow or burnt orange accents for a harmonious effect.
Potted Plants
Plants are the perfect way to add natural atmosphere and texture into any living space, acting both aesthetically and practically. From decorative potted varieties to succulents and cacti, plants bring both atmosphere and texture that you may prefer for different rooms in your house.
Addition of houseplants can also help improve your mood as being around greenery has been shown to relieve stress. Plants act as natural oxygen generators which help refresh both body and mind.
Consider decorating with various small potted plants of various heights to make an eye-catching vignette as you enter your living room or foyer or entryway, setting the scene for what will come. This approach works especially well when creating an initial impression and setting the tone.
Add plant pots to shelving units or curated low shelves as another exciting decorating idea. Plants that thrive at eye level such as Chinese evergreens and Calathea make great additions for this type of decoration.
Soft Textures
Soft textures like blankets and throw pillows add warmth and visual interest to living rooms with their inviting appearance. From faux fur rugs and accent walls to plush blankets and throw pillows, soft textures provide an inviting atmosphere in living rooms by contributing comfort as well as visual interest to spaces.
Combine soft linens with aged teak furniture and matt paint shades for a modern and cozy atmosphere in any room, the earthy tones enhancing the warm undertones of white paint colors.
If you love books, consider creating a dedicated reading nook with an armchair or daybed and plenty of plush cushions to provide a relaxing space in which to read your favorite novels or memoirs. This will allow for maximum relaxation as you escape into another world!
Add personal touches like family photos and artwork to make your space inviting. Create an inviting ambience by hanging eclectic prints, exhibition posters and children’s masterpieces on a gallery wall for added charm.
