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Cosy Living Room Ideas: 15 Ideas for a Cosy Lounge

Settling in for a warm night with a hot drink under layers of fluffy blankets, there’s nothing quite like it. Since we all enjoy any excuse to hibernate, curating a cosy living room design scheme is the best way to make the most of the moment.

When it comes to cosy living room decor, it’s all about embracing the hygge of your environment – think warm layers and textures, a rich colour palette, glowy lighting and well-considered spacing of furniture. It’ll help you get snuggled up by the fire with a good book in no time! In this definitive guide, we provide you with the best cosy living room ideas no matter your style or space to ensure you're well set up for the cosy autumn evenings to come.

How to make a living room cosy

When it comes to making your living room a cosy space there are a number of key elements which will help to add that unmistakable homely feel. Aside from the obvious of lighting a roaring fire or adding an extra blanket, there are more subtle ways to achieve that cosy feel. The use of scent is a powerful tool, use oaky, sandalwood scents to achieve a cosy feeling. Lighting is another powerful mood changer. Switch off the harsher overhead lights and flick on those lamps. Comforting textures and natural materials are where it's at - opt for tactile textures such as velvet, linen and wool to create a cosy haven. Finally, consider oversized pieces of furniture to snuggle up into, a large chaise sofa will provide the perfect space for the whole family to relax but for smaller families and smaller spaces, a snuggly love seat can provide just the same atmosphere.

Armed with these simple tips in mind it's time to dig a bit deeper into the world of cosy living rooms...

1. Own your space

Autumn and winter are the times of the year when, in terms of space, less is more. Nothing says “cosy” like a small space filled with comfy furniture and subtle lighting. Even if you’re dealing with a larger space, tricking the eye with the right arrangement of pieces to create your cosy living room is simple.

For already smaller spaces, the idea is to work your living room furniture around a season-friendly focal point in your room, such as a fireplace and mantle or wooden chest of drawers to sit under the TV. In spacious rooms, the height of your accessories can make all the difference. Try adding a tall bookcase next to an armchair for a cosy reading corner or a vertical shelving unit to house blankets and holiday knick-knacks to create the illusion of a more compact space.

2. Pay attention to colour and texture

One of the most sure-fire ways to make or break a visually pleasing, cosy atmosphere is with the colours and materials you choose to decorate with. While summer schemes are all about fresh colours and light materials, for autumn and winter, a cosy living room design calls for pops of warmth and enough layering of rugs and throws to minimise empty space.

The great thing about layering and colour palettes for a cosy living room is that it’s perfectly acceptable to go a little crazy mixing and matching. Add pops of colour to neutral sofas and chairs by draping them with richly coloured woven blankets and warm coloured cushions – you shouldn’t be afraid to pair complementary colours together. Don’t forget to add a little faux fur, whether it be in the form of a rectangular floor rug or a throw for the ottoman – nothing says “snuggle up with a cup of hot cocoa” quite like a little faux fur adornment.

All of that said, be sure not to overdo it with the warm seasonal colour scheme – there’s a very fine line between cosy and cluttered, and this can be avoided by introducing side tables, chests of drawers and shelving in neutral greys, cremes and reclaimed wood.

3. Lighting is everything

The easiest way to keep a room cosy from day to night is to fine-tune your lighting scheme. Cosy lighting themes are all about ambience and softness, and these qualities can be achieved with a good mixture of lamps around the room. Pairing an armchair or recliner with a floor lamp creates the perfect solo lounge nook, while a couple of table lamps spread around a sectional can add warmth to a communal setting. You can and should use lampshades to play up your colour scheme. Go with something patterned to break up solid throw pillows and blankets or stick with the classics if you want to keep it simple.

For some extra-cosy lighting during movie time, strategically place candles around the room, on mantles or shelving. Throw in some gold or silver speckled candles for a truly seasonal feel.

4. Make it modern

When we think of modern interiors we often associate this look with harsh lines, cold materials and minimalistic spaces but this doesn't have to be the case and certainly doesn't have to mean that a modern home isn't a cosy home! You can still achieve a modern aesthetic with cosy vibes. Mix and match modern style furniture with rich shades to add depth to your space. The use of deep purples or reds on statement walls or through your cushions and throws is a great way to inject warmth and depth to your modern space.

The use of varying shades of grey with modern-style furniture also helps to add a greater sense of warmth to the space. Pair minimalistic coffee tables and cabinets with grey rugs, soft furnishings and seating. Add obvious elements of cosiness through simple candles placed in modern candlesticks or opt for a sleek gas fire to create a cosy statement within your space.

5. Add some warm touches

Our living rooms are year-round spaces and not just an autumn-winter location! While you may crave cosiness during the colder months when it comes to spring and summer we start to long for some light and airy materials and colours. Rather than have to change out your whole space with the seasons there are a wide variety of smaller accessories which can be easily and cheaply swapped out as the year progresses.

Cushions and throws are some of the cheapest items to swap out. While during the summer you may not need any of these accessories or choose linen and airy materials come winter choose faux fur, wool and chunky knit soft furnishings to really bring some warmth.

The simple addition of a rug towards the latter half of the year can make for the perfect place to rest your feet as you warm yourself by the fire. Choose larger more densely piled rugs to add cosiness or consider layering rugs to create an eye-catching statement.

6. White is nice

Just as we often think modern interiors are cold, white also gets a bad rep for being a colour associated with cooling down rather than cosying up. The thing about white is that depending on its exact shade it can lean cooler or warmer. The key is to find a white with undertones of red and purples to paint your walls with and lean in to this with the addition of complementary coloured accessories.

Boucle furniture made quite the comeback in 2021 with white boucle in particular really taking off. By incorporating warm materials such as boucle with the colour white, you get the best of both worlds - cosy and calm.

7. Cream is the dream

If white still seems a little too cold then warm things up with heavenly cream. Although traditionally regarded as a neutral colour, a true cream with deep yellow undertones helps to bring warmth and cosiness to any space. If keeping things clean is a concern then rather than investing in a cream sofa or rug why not make use of this warming neutral in your choice of curtains, vases, lamps and painted wood furniture?

8. Neutrals can work well

Neutral colours are long associated with a sense of calm and restfulness but when layered and paired correctly they can also make for the perfect cosy colour palette. Neutrals don't just mean cream and white and with the addition of warmer stones, clays, sand and wicker tones you'll quickly add a homely feel to your space.

Warming greys also fall into the neutral category and make for a great addition to a cosy space. Look for greys with hints of yellows or browns and avoid the colder white-toned greys if you're trying to achieve something cosier.

Applying one neutral colour in large amounts provides a restful calm feeling. Combine this with richer neutrals in your throw pillows and accent furniture to introduce complementary shades that won't distract from the overall look of the room.

9. Enter the darkness

Darker colours in your living space can have a fantastic impact. They help to add character to your space and by their very nature are warmer, cosier colours. One of our favourite ways to incorporate black into a space is through the contrast of black walls and statement pieces of furniture with gold accents. Imagine a roaring fire against the backdrop of a solid black wall dotted with gold mirrors, light fixtures and accessories. So classy and so cosy.

If the thoughts of a black wall are a little bit scary then why not try darker shades of green and blue. A beautiful emerald green feature wall contrasted with a warming cream sofa would make for the perfect cosy nook. Continue the warmth through your use of complementary throw cushions, lampshades and rugs.

Another great shade that ticks both the darkness and cosy vibes is brown. Think chocolate, espresso and deep sandy tones. With 70s interiors having a revival, browns are very much back in focus. Browns work great paired with creams, creams and blues. The perfect brown leather sofa, a cream faux fur throw and a good movie - count us in!

10. Keeping it traditional

A traditional style living room is one which is timeless. It creates a story through the use of colours, textures and pieces that you and your family have chosen. Thanks to its family-orientated layout and decoration a traditional living room easily transcends into a cosy living room.

A statement sofa that is the focal point of the room is an extremely important feature in a traditional style living room. Opt for classical sofa shapes including rounded arms paired with warming colours and materials such as deep shades of red, muted neutrals, cotton and wool.

Lighting plays a major role in setting the tone in your traditional living room. Creating pockets of light within your living room helps to create focal points. A soft uplighter floor lamp makes for a great reading corner while a picture light above your favourite piece of art elevates the room and draws the eye.

11. Small space - no worries

By their very nature, smaller living rooms have an immediate cosy feel to them. Elevate this even further with the use of a cosy loveseat rather than a sofa to maximise space. When choosing your loveseat or sofa opt for neutral tones which will allow the space to feel bigger while still retaining that cosy feeling. The use of cushions and throws in bolder shades will stop the space from feeling too pared back while immediately adding warmth. An accent chair is another great way to add a new element to the space and can be easily tucked away to create a neat little reading corner.

Zone your areas through the use of paint to create the feeling of smaller separate spaces within the one room and try to keep all your colour choices cohesive so everything fits seamlessly together.

12. Living it large & snug

If you're lucky enough to have a large living room but still want to create that cosy feel then fear not it's certainly possible! Our first tip to make your larger lounge cosier is to invest in an oversized ottoman instead of a coffee table. A coffee table can become lost in a larger room while an upholstered ottoman will give you the benefit of a coffee table while closing the gap between your seating and table.

Defining zones is another way of making your space feel cosier. Try a console table to section off parts of your living room. Place your sofa in the middle of the room with a console table behind it to create the illusion of a separate sofa area away from the rest of the room.

There's nothing better than a comfy sofa to sink into that has plenty of room for everyone and then some! Make use of your extra floor space and invest in an L-shaped sectional sofa which literally screams comfort... You can also use these style sofas to divide shared living-dining spaces in an open-plan space.

Cosy up the corners with snuggly statement chairs and side tables for you to enjoy your coffee from. A great way to add places of comfort to your space while being practical.

13. Cottage living style

Cottagecore interiors is a trend that isn't going anywhere any time soon. Cottages are synonymous with cosiness and adding an element of cottagecore to your living room will add that homely feel in no time. The use of natural elements including earthy tones, natural materials and indoor plants will add that homely feel to your space effortlessly.

Vintage-style furniture with that worn-in vibe is perfect for creating a cosy feel. Think distressed side tables and upcycled cupboards.

Delicate floral patterns, gorgeous gingham and rich colours all help to create that cottagecore charm. Inject that feeling of a cosy cottage with gingham throw cushions and blankets and test out floral patterns in your choice of window dressings or rugs.

Scent is a huge mood booster and when it comes to finding the perfect cottagecore scent we recommend looking for candles with floral or homely scents.

14. Luxury style

We all like a little bit of luxury in our lives and our living rooms should be no different. A luxurious living room must be a cosy living room! The use of dark stained floorboards contrasted with high pile rugs provides a luxurious feel from the ground up. Adding panelling to your walls is another great way to not only create a luxurious feeling but to keep that cosy homely feel too.

When it comes to colours, less is more. Choose muted creams and whites, gold-finished accessories and heavy curtains.

Let your accessories do the talking with luxurious lighting, lavish cushions and super soft rugs.

15. Get the family together

If your living room needs to accommodate a large family or friends getting together then we'd highly recommend investing in an L-shaped or U-shaped sofa if you have the space. These styles of sofas are perfect for accommodating a large number of guests while allowing everyone to feel comfortable and cosy.

Creating a cosy lounge with ufurnish.com

We hope our top tips and product recommendations have inspired you to create your own cosy living room no matter your style, budget or space. Search, discover, compare and love furniture from 110+ furniture retailers and over one million products with easy to use filters and expert advice so you can easily find your perfect item with ufurnish.com.

For more style inspiration to create your perfect home, follow us on Instagram and Pinterest, or to search furniture retailers across the entire market, simply click here.

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Deirdre Mc Gettrick

Created By

Deirdre Mc Gettrick

Deirdre Mc Gettrick is the co-founder and CEO of ufurnish.com. Deirdre created the business after struggling to furnish her own home. She brings insight and inspiration to every home furnishing opportunity.

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