This winter, it’s time to go beyond hygge. That means thinking about more than just making the room cosy, and giving it a true sense of place. Something that combines the welcoming practicality of a living room with a personal touch only you can bring. The Swedes call this lagom, the French say mise en place, but wherever you take your inspiration from, the key is making the practical personal. And you can do it in four easy steps.
How to create the ultimate cosy living room this winter
1. Space
Think of a cosy living room. You’ve probably conjured images of a small, intimate space. But size isn’t everything – by being clever with design and arranging your room into specific zones, you can immediately add a sense of intimacy and comfort, whatever the size of your space.
Consider grouping chairs beside the fire to encourage your friends and family to come together, relax and chat. Or you could add a chair, footstool, side table and blanket box to an under-used corner to create a snug retreat. Breaking a room down in this way will ensure you can move around freely, avoid feeling crowded or cluttered, and still stay cosy.
Remember to add those special details that will give each area a sense of place – for example, an interesting book in the reading corner, a decanter of cognac on the sideboard or lush house plants by the window.
2. Lighting
When it comes to creating warmth and intimacy in your living room, lamps are your best friend. Whether floor, table or angle-poise, a selection of well-directed lights is one of the most effective ways to zone a room. For a truly cosy feel, make sure you opt for bulbs that give off warm light.
Candles also provide warmth, light and even relaxing scents, so it’s helpful to have them on hand too. From candelabra to luminaria, candle decoration options are endless: so you’re bound to find your perfect match.
3. Art and design
Natural finishes, like wood, leather and fur, are an excellent way to introduce earth tones for a cosy living room. Solid wood shelves or picture frames, fur throws and a statement leather armchair will give your room a natural and organic feel. Accent with warm gold, brass or copper finishes to create a rich autumnal glow.
Vases, last year’s autumn essential, are another great way to bring the outdoors in. Just choose an arrangement with plenty of autumnal browns, greens and oranges.
4. Temperature
Still, however cosy your room design, you’re bound to have at least one guest this autumn who feels the cold more than most. To keep them comfortable, make sure there are seating areas close to the fire or radiator, and keep blankets on display close to your chairs so your guests can take one when they want to snuggle up.
You can amplify the cosy atmosphere by bringing in blankets that tell a story. They could be gifts from relatives, be decorated with appliqués you’ve added yourself, or have some other personal significance. Inviting guests into your inner world in this way will ensure they feel warm inside and out.
Taking the time to create a cosy living room design is well worth the investment in early autumn, so that you and your guests can enjoy an inviting space all season long. Simply keep warmth and natural themes in mind, and you’ll soon be well on your way to a snug and welcoming room.