Everyone wants a cosy living room – one that is practical, warm, and pleasant – but how do we get that space where we can truly relax and feel comfortable?
From the furniture to wall colours to accessories, you’ll soon discover that there are many simple and cost-effective ways we can design a tranquil living area.
How a room feels can really boil down to the scent, lighting, and fabrics, but we’ll discuss what you can do for making your home feel more comfortable than ever.
Of course, the cleanliness of the room is vital, as no one feels cosy in a messy area. It’s always a good idea to check out some cleaning hacks over at ATC before starting on making the room comfortable.
Here are some tips to get you underway.
Consider painting the walls in darker tones
It’s fair to say that lighter colours like white or yellow are typically the first choices when it comes to paint for the walls. But they aren’t the only options!
Many people are afraid of darker tones, but they can create a comfortable feeling that is all about intimacy, theatrics, and an overall sheltering mood. Opt for dark greys or ocean blues and you’ll find these accent colours very warming upon entry. Terracotta and mustard tones are equally great, as these down-to-earth hues really ground us and induce calmness.
Try out different sample paints until you discover one that suits your particular room, as there’s very rarely a “one size fits all” approach when it comes to the right shade for your own home.
Contemplate the room layout
A real cosy living room appears functional and relaxing as soon as the right furniture has appeared.
A large, fluffy rug generates an instant feeling of warmth and ties the room together. After that, surround your coffee table with as much seating as possible, and don’t forget the throw pillows that add some much-needed cosiness and colour.
Even if you don’t have many books, a bookcase is a fantastic addition to any space, as you can also display picture frames, plants, pottery, art, and small decorative items in a way that doesn’t make the room feel crowded.
Don’t forget that the colours of your couches and armchairs should match the wall paint, and these hues should be carefully considered when improving the living room.
You want to make a room that works together in harmony, rather than different features all fighting for attention. After all, it’s good to have your visitors gawp with amazement rather than horror when they visit your house!
Bring in nature
Have you ever walked in a forest and simply felt so restful and calm? Well, how about bringing a bit of nature into your living room to help recreate that feeling.
Plants have the added benefit of purifying the air and can sometimes aid in relaxation, but they also look incredible. Pot plants are a great idea to place on the bookshelf, windowsill, or even corner of the room (don’t go too wild otherwise your room will look like a forest), but there are other options as well.
A glass vase filled with birch branches and pinecones adds a small connection to the outside world. You can also light scented candles with fragrances such as sandalwood or oak, for instance, which bring in that sensation of being in nature.
The ambience of lighting
Lastly, it’s fair to argue that nothing will affect the look and feel of a living room more than the lighting. How a room is lit can make or break the sense of comfort, which is why it’s always worth spending the time to get it right.
An overhead light controlled by a dimmer switch is an absolute must, as oftentimes the direct light above us is too bright and featureless. Chandeliers are always beautiful, but you can have a lot of fun choosing the best lampshade to fit your room’s colour scheme.
What’s more, strategically placed lamps and candles are the next phase in living room lighting. Softer light bulbs in a table lamp add cosiness and make the room look warmer.
Depending on how big your living room is, you can typically get away with at least three lamps placed in different spots to help create lighting tiers that overlap.
We already mentioned scented candles, but these have the double upshot of creating ambient, soft lighting that simply baths the room in luxury and serenity that can’t be created elsewhere.
Finish all those steps and you’re sure to have a living room that is perfect.
Feature Image By TMGZ2021
