Craft a Comfy Living Room Where You'll Love to Lounge: 5 Top Tips Across Seating, Storage, Texture, and More. 

A living room is much more than just a space with furniture; it’s the heart of your home and it’s certainly the heart of mine. Where relaxation meets entertainment and where memories are made. Curating a comfy living room isn’t just about plush cushions and soft throws, it’s about creating an inviting atmosphere that reflects your personality and facilitates both socialising and relaxation. Here are my 5 top tips for curating a cosy living room that you’ll love. 

 

Choose comfortable and stylish seating 

The cornerstone of any comfy living room is comfortable seating. Opt for pieces that not only look good and match the décor, but also are comfy to sit on and conducive to your relaxation. I personally have a corner sofa with a matching arm chair which is great when guests are visiting as this provides us with ample seating options. Choose something timeless that both lends well to your décor but is also sturdy, durable and hard wearing, something that will stand the test of time and which you won’t fall out of love within the year. 

 

Create Intimate lighting

Lighting plays a crucial part in setting the mood of my living room. I, like many, can’t stand using the ‘big light’ as this tends to feel harsh and quite cold. Instead, craft a cosy atmosphere using lamps and multiple sources of warm light to create a relaxing and intimate environment. Table lamps and floor lamps are perfect for this. If you are able to install dimmer switches this is a great way to create an ambiance for any occasion, offering you the versatility to suit different times of day and tones of an evening. To add that warm touch, don't forget that candles are fabulous budget-savvy lighting alternatives to lamps. Candles not only look and smell great but also add a sense of romance to a room with their soft glow. I have a mix of pillar candles, jar candles, and smaller tealights to create the perfect environment. 

 

Personalise with Décor

Personal touches are essential to transform a space from a room into a self-reflective sanctuary that feels just yours. I personally display family photos alongside some prints that I love, and stand-out home decor pieces which add a touch of personality to the room. Waken up your walls with unique pieces of art and interesting shelvings. Plants are a great décor item for many reasons, but I love them for their versatility in look as well as the freshness and green touches they introduce to a room. With so many different house plants available, there truly is something to suit everyone and their respective styles of interior décor. Plus, they do us the added benefit of improving air quality. Be bold and creative and choose pieces you absolutely love and speak to your personality. 

Layers and Textures 

Tactile points add depth and warmth to any room. The introduction of texture, created by layering different weaves and fabrics together in both complimentary and contrasting ways, instantly elevates your space to make it feel cosier and more stylish. My living room felt drab before a few simple changes in texture had me feeling right at home. I added a large, soft rug which takes up the majority of the floor space, bringing some warmth and comfort in at a floor level, breaking up the space with some plushness. Curtains, voiles and blinds are a great way to add texture and to keep in the warmth, choose contrasting colours to create a bold look. The real star of the room will, no doubt, be your collection of plush cushions and soft throws, which I recommend you employ as these will add so much texture and visual appeal to your space. Rich and varied fabrics, like faux fur, matte velvet, boucle, thick knits and unique embossed patterns, will lend well to an elevated space, designed to entice and stimulate guests with a touch of luxury.

Keep it Clutter- Free

This point is super important for maintaining your comfy living room as a stress-free area, devoid of mess and things-to-put-away-later. A cluttered living room can feel chaotic and take away from the cosy vibes, which we never want in a space designed for relaxation. Purchasing smart storage solutions can, and should, prevent this issue when utilised properly. We don’t have a lot of built in storage space in our home, so buying practical furniture was an absolute must when piecing together my living room. I personally opted for a large cabinet with exposed shelves for décor, and hidden cupboards to hide other items such as board games, personal documents, and everyday bits and bobs. As well as this we have a sideboard with large cupboards to store larger items, currently housing extra candles and excess blankets. TV stands with hidden storage for tv boxes, remotes, and leads are perfect. I recommend comfy footstools and stylish baskets that double as storage solutions for magazines, books, craft supplies etc. Storage boxes, stools, and ottomans are practical choices that offer storage as well as a decorative piece for the room. Regularly take the time to declutter and maintain a serene environment to make the most out of your space and truly relax. 

By following these few simple yet effective tips, you can create a cosy living room that expresses your personality while offering you the space to unwind after a long day, or to host gatherings and movie nights with friends. Remember - the key is to prioritise style, storage and comfort, three essential elements that should merge to offer you an elevated space for unchallenged down-time. Shop the collections of storage, cushions, throws, and décor from OHS and discover budget-friendly items for your own comfy space!