With the weather getting colder and the days getting shorter, you might be thinking about preparing your home for winter. One of the best things you can do to make your home feel warmer (aside from central heating) is to create a cosy atmosphere through your interior design and accessories. The living room is at the centre of most homes, so in this blog, we’ll go through some tips and ideas for how to create a cosy living room ready for winter!

Use a warm colour palette

One of the quickest ways to transform your living room into a warmer and cosier space is to use a warm colour palette. Warm colours have been shown to have the psychological ability to cheer us up and make us feel more comfortable. Rich and deep colours, such as burnt oranges, deep reds and earthy tones are in trend this Autumn and work really well to create a warm atmosphere in your home. Warm tones of blue, containing hints of red, or warm greens with hints of gold can also give your room a snug feel if you’re not a fan of red or orange.

Repainting your walls or large furniture is the best way to create an impact but for a quicker fix, you could just swap out some smaller accessories and furniture items for warmer colours. Check out our door replacement service for a quick and easy way to transform your existing furniture.

Layered thick and soft textures

Another fun way to create a cosy atmosphere in your living room is to layer soft textures and thick materials. The most common way to do this is to use thick blankets and fluffy pillows on a textured sofa or seating area. This could also be achieved by using rugs layered on carpet and decorating with art made from fabric materials, such as macrame.

Layers of soft furnishings are perfect for bringing a cosy living room vibe, but can also help you to balance your patterns with plains and keep your interior looking modern. Read our guide to adding texture to your home.

Top 10 Gallery Walls Inspiration

Create a gallery wall

If you don’t have the time or budget for a full revamp of your living room, you can get clever with wall decor to create a cosy atmosphere. Create a gallery wall using your favourite framed pictures and art prints to add depth and interest to your living room. Filling your wall with imagery will remove the empty space that makes a room feel more spacious therefore creating a cosier vibe. This would also work by creating decorative shelving displaying objects such as books, sculptures and candles. However, you shouldn’t overdo with it decorative items, as your living room will feel cluttered and make it hard to relax.

Use seasonal scents

Scents have been shown to trigger feelings and add to an atmosphere so can be used to add a sensory experience in our home. Why not add some seasonal scents to your living room to create a warm and cosy atmosphere? Winter-warming smells typically include spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg or sandalwood. A popular way to add scents to your home is to use wax burners, candles or reed diffusers that can visually create a homely atmosphere as well as fill the room with a scent.

Cozy Living Room: Tips for Creating a Relaxing and Comfortable Gathering Area - Melanie Jade Design

Choose soft lighting

Lighting is one of the most important elements of creating a cosy living room atmosphere. A harsh white spotlight can immediately ruin an otherwise cosy interior, whereas a warm, dimmed light can help to accentuate a cosy atmosphere. Prioritising table lamps or floor lamps instead of overhead lighting helps to create a more close and homely atmosphere. By creating small areas of warm light you can illuminate certain areas for a function such as a reading corner or a coffee table, rather than brightening the whole room unnecessarily. Another option is to use candlelight and lanterns to create an even more cosy ambience.

 

We hope you enjoyed this blog and feel inspired to mix up your living room interior to create a more cosy atmosphere. If you are looking to read more, take a look at our blog about how to make your bedroom feel warmer leading up to winter.