The living space is the center of your house. In most homes, the living room is the most used, where visitors and family members spend time relaxing, watching television, or chatting. Making the living space cozy makes it warmer, welcoming, and more comfortable. No matter your style or preference, you can make the room comfy by applying these 10 different tactics.
1. Use Layer Rugs
Older homes with exposed floorboards can be drafty from below. Using a flexible filler or a room-sized rug can help fill the gaps. Rugs on a hard floor can add warmth, texture, and visual appeal to your living room. A parent can place the rugs under the sofa’s front legs and coffee table. Choose a neutral color or a light pattern.
2. Update Curtains
It’s important to consider year-round options for the living room, such as replacing summer curtains with heavy ones in winter or adding thermal fleece lining. This adds warmth to the room. If you want larger windows for lighting, do so when making a home improvement plan. In 2018, there was $394 billion in home improvement sales in the U.S.
3. Light Up the Space
With limited daylight hours in winter, it’s crucial to keep your living room lit. Use dimmable ceiling fixtures for soft background lighting and a sofa-mounted reading light. As a parent, use warm light bulbs to add warmth to your living room. A table lamp can transform a dark corner into a reading nook, and a wall light can create soft, non-dominant light for room balance.
4. Provide Ample Seating
Always select seating wisely to create a cozy living space, especially if you have an open floor plan. Whether you prefer to sit at the center or in one corner, provide various seating options for everyone in the room. Also, wide sofa arms are a popular design that allows a perfect arm rest.
5. Supersize Your Sofa
Whether you’re upgrading or buying a sofa, consider an extra-deep couch that is nap-friendly and can accommodate larger crowds. Although you may not want your sofa to overpower your living space, you don’t want a narrow sofa either. Shop wisely and always consider the price. After a car and a house, furniture is the third most expensive item someone will buy in their lifetime.
6. Use Fragrance
As a parent, using a home fragrance is a simple way to set the right mood for your living room. You can find a scent that matches your room’s season and decor. Burn some incense or oil diffuser, or light up a candle to welcome your guests with a beautiful smell. Common cozy scents include lavender, cinnamon, or vanilla.
7. Choose an Ottoman
Instead of having a coffee table with sharp edges that would stub your toes, consider using a soft ottoman. Put a tray on the solid surface when placing items or creating extra seating. An ottoman can also be used for entertaining needs, such as putting your feet up. The Ottomans make your living space livable and comfortable.
8. Fill Your Bookshelves
A parent who likes reading can have bookshelves in the living space to store their favorite photos or books. The books add a personal touch to your living space. All you need is a comfy seat, hot tea, and a fuzzy blanket to enjoy your latest novel.
9. Include Throw Blankets
Is it okay to have many throw pillows? Throws can add warmth, color, and texture to your living space. They are budget-friendly and easy to get in your preferred colors. Drape a throw pillow over the back of your couch or fold some in a floor basket near the chair. Change them occasionally to complete your style or the season.
10. Incorporate Art
You can use color, texture, and show paintings to warm up your living space. Adding art to your walls gives your space a personalized, relaxing, and more intimate feeling. There are many options to choose from, including cheaper and more expensive pieces. In 2020, the global art market was valued at $50 billion U.S. dollars.
You don’t have to spend much to make your living room comfortable. The ideas are simple and affordable. Take every step at a time, and you will have your dream life within no time.