22 cozy living room ideas to embrace the winter season
The living room is the heart of the home, so it should strike a balance between function and calm. A space to relax, unwind, and spend time as a family.
We’ve collected a range of incredible cozy living room ideas suited to any style. Whether these ideas inspire you to do a full renovation or buy a few more plush accessories, we’re sure your new cozy living room will be a space you’ll want to snuggle up in all winter long.
Take a look through the living spaces we’ve collected below and recreate them in your home.
22 cozy living room ideas for your home
1. Consult feng shui
Credit: House of Oak
To start, we recommend looking at the feng shui in your living room. The layout of your space can affect the way you feel and your ability to relax.
According to House of Oak, to create a cozy living room the sofa should be placed against a sturdy wall (not in the centre of your space) with a view of the room’s entrance. Having a clear vantage point of whoever is entering the space will allow you to truly unwind.
Other feng shui living room tips include decluttering, using earthy colours, hanging curated art and filling the room with plants.
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2. Enhance natural light
Credit: Pinterest
Creating a cozy living room all comes down to the lighting. Warm lamps and flickering fires bring ambience (we cover these later), but natural lighting does too.
We love the big windows in this living room and the way the light streams onto the sofa. For privacy use sheer curtains, frosted window film or protective foliage outside.
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3. Cozy living room rugs
Rugs are a brilliant way of introducing warmth and texture into your living room. They’re especially great for those with hardwood flooring as they instantly soften your space.
However, rugs also work wonderfully in carpeted living rooms. Layering large rugs adds to the cozy atmosphere and creates interest in the room. Use statement rugs for a bold look or opt for muted shades like Dream Green DIY has here.
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Give your cozy living room a new look
Discover the top living room colour trends and give your space a fresh lick of paint.
4. Soft shapes
Curved or rounded shapes soften a space wonderfully and often create an interesting focal point.
Rounded modular sofas, organic-shaped mirrors and abstract curving coffee tables all soften the harsh lines of a symmetrical living room.
Najmul Azan has demonstrated this beautifully in his living room. The curving lamp stands, egg-shaped coffee table and prints featuring circular artwork create a comfy, homey space.
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5. Fill your cozy living room with plants!
Credit: Pinterest
Your cozy living room isn’t complete without some luscious plants. Feng shui encourages the use of plants to create a balanced, natural environment and we think they’re a surefire way to make your space instantly relaxing.
Use a range of plants at different heights to create balance and get creative with your positioning. Trailing plants look fantastic on shelving or suspended from the ceiling. Tall cacti and monstera give great height when placed behind sofas or next to chairs.
Plus, accessorising your living room with plants doesn’t have to cost a bomb. Ask your friends and family for cuttings or propagate your current plants using old jam jars.
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6. Give your sofa a cozy look
Cozy living rooms are nothing without their furnishings. Comfortable furniture you can relax into is a must and it’s important to have enough space for everyone who lives in your home.
If your current sofa isn’t living up to the cozy vibe, then why not upcycle it? There are plenty of ways you can bring an old sofa back to life. Buy a fleece, cashmere or cotton sofa cover or fill your sofa cushions with padding inserts for a plumper feel.
To give your sofa a complete revamp, reupholster your sofa by choosing a new fabric and pattern which speaks to your style. Layer complimenting blankets and cushions onto your sofa for added cosiness.
7. Invest in armchairs
Credit: Ebb & Thread
There’s nothing quite like curling up in an armchair. Cozy armchairs make fantastic living room accessories while also adding valuable extra seating.
Choose an armchair which fits your aesthetic and make sure you pick one which is both designed for style and function. Some armchairs are purely for decoration, meaning they have shorter backs and are uncomfortable to lounge in!
Place a tall, warm lamp behind the armchair and use fluffy blankets and cushions to accessorise. Use shelving or cabinets to store books or your hobbies within reaching distance and you’ve created your very own book nook.
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8. Use lamps to create a cozy atmosphere
@_bennelson_ This is EXACTLY how to creat a cozy vibe in your space. - #cozyathome #cozylighting #interiordecor #homedecor #education ♬ Moonlite Love - Abir’yah
Warm lighting is a quick and easy way to create a soothing ambience in your home. Make sure all your bulbs give off a warm, golden glow as opposed to harsh, white lighting.
Colour-changing and dimmable bulbs are also available, enabling you to change the lighting based on your mood or the season.
Ben Nelson’s video is full of handy tips and tricks about creating ambient lighting in your home. He covers focal lamps, sunset lamps and strip lighting.
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9. Fill your space with blankets
Credit: Silk & Snow
Not only are blankets perfect for snuggling up under during the winter, but they also have brilliant decorative purposes.
Cold furniture such as leather sofas or wooden chairs are instantly softened with a blanket thrown over them. Likewise, ladder blankets make rustic accessories while also offering a practical storage solution.
Choose a multitude of colourful blankets in different styles to add character to a plain space. Or, if you prefer a minimal look, use neutral-coloured blankets made from various materials. This layering of different textures will bring some much-needed cosiness to your space.
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Be inspired by mid-century modern
Our mid-century modern living room ideas contain lots of interior design inspiration.
10. Antique decor
Give your living room some rustic charm by introducing antique pieces. Reclaimed furniture, unique charity shop finds and retro art all help create a lived-in space.
We love it when vintage finds are combined with more modern pieces. A second-hand sofa can be modernised with fun cushions and new bookcases can be accessorised with vintage books and charming old lamps. Blending the old with the new creates a cozy living room that’s full of character and nostalgia.
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11. Cozy colour
When we think of cozy spaces we often think of earthy tones but bold colour can be incredibly cozy. This lovely living room uses colour to transform its white walls and bright lighting into a homely and comforting space.
Introduce colour through wall art, plush cushions or textured blankets. Don’t be afraid to mix and match, colour clashing is in trend!
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12. Accessorised shelving
Nothing makes a cozy living room feel more homely than trinkets and treasures. Unusual decorative pieces, framed photos and vintage books are perfect for accessorising a living room.
Display your trinkets with built-in units, wall-to-wall bookcases or floating shelves. Warm lamps and plants can also be nestled among your treasures to add to the overall look.
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13. Interesting artwork
Art can change our moods as well as inspire us. Fill your cozy living room with carefully curated pieces which invoke a feeling of tranquillity.
Calming artwork is all about what makes you feel a sense of peace. Forget canvas prints of the seaside and opt for art with meaning. Society 6 has a huge range of incredible artwork like these two canvases above.
14. Let the music play
There’s something inherently comforting about music. Old-fashioned radios and vinyl players bring a sense of nostalgia and make great talking pieces too.
If you’re big into your music, then display your record collection in your living room. This cabinet vinyl player station oozes class and cosiness. Vinyl covers also make fantastic wall artwork!
15. Cozy footstools and ottomans
Footstools and ottomans are the perfect addition to your cozy living room. Not only are they functional but they also add dimension to your space.
They can be used as storage, as a footrest or for more decorative purposes like this incredible Ribbed Boucle Ottoman from Cox & Cox. The boucle fabric adds a gorgeous, cozy feel. Ottomans can also display decorative trays, coffee table books and warm blankets.
16. Wooden accents
Natural elements are known for their calming and restorative purposes, making them amazing additions to cozy living spaces.
Wooden furniture is the easiest way of incorporating natural materials into your space. This coffee table from Urban Outfitters is the perfect example as the wooden design contrasts beautifully with the soft furnishing surrounding it.
For a more budget-friendly option, hang wooden shelving or use wooden logs as a decorative piece.
17. Earthy wall colours
@mrphoenixgrey Never be afraid of colors #paintinghacks #decortips #interiordesign #homehacks #designertips #toronto #fyp ♬ Timelapse - Michael Logozar
If you fancy giving your living room the full cozy makeover then why not get the paintbrush out? Painting your walls a warm colour is a quick way of making your space feel more inviting.
Interior designer, Mr Phoenix Grey talks you through the best colours for creating that sought-after ambience.
18. Creating a cozy fireplace
While a fireplace isn’t a must-have, it does bring an instant sense of warmth to a living room. Whether you have a working fireplace, an electric one or an alcove where one once stood, make your fireplace the focal point of your cozy living room.
Christine Leech has done this brilliantly in her renovated Georgian terrace. In her interview with Your Home Style, she explains sourcing a fireplace was her top priority.
“I did save money by enlisting the help of my father to knock out the brickwork and reveal the original arched opening.”
If you’re looking to install, or enhance a fireplace in your home, head over to our fireplace ideas round-up. We cover everything from styling to designing.
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Give your space a modern makeover
Not content with our cozy living room ideas? We have plenty of modern living room ideas for you to explore.
19. Scent your space
We’ve already spoken about the comforting sound of the radio and record player, but now it’s time for scent. Smell controls our mood and scenting your home is crucial to feeling relaxed.
Choose a scent which you both love and find calming. This can be in the form of a room spray, oil diffuser, wax melt or candle. Lavender, Roman chamomile, and Frankincense all make soothing living room scents.
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20. Handmade touches
Cozy goes hand in hand with slow living and nothing says slow living more than handmade accessories. Crocheted throw blankets, hand-stitched cushions and woven wall hangings all bring an immediate sense of comfort and homelyness to a space.
Your handmade touches don’t have to be brash or colourful (if that isn’t your style), they can adopt the form of a small handmade dish or neutral knitted blanket.
This woven wall hanging will bring beauty to your space.
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21. Contrast panneling
@naomilouisewells24 Crazy how much Panelling can change the whole feel of a room!🏡🤍 #wallpanelling #panelling #livingroom #livingroominspo #sage #olive #homedecor #homeimprovement #homeinspo #councilhouse ♬ Just A Little While - The 502s
Fans of the farmhouse living room aesthetic will love this cozy living room idea. DIY wall panelling is a nod to traditional wainscoting methods and creates an effortlessly cozy feel.
It’s also an easy way to introduce colour into your space. Simply paint your DIY wainscoting an earthy tone and your living room will be transformed.
Alternatively, you can add wall panelling to an entire wall. Take a look through our wood panelling ideas for more ways to create a cozy living room.
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22. Candles, candles, candles
Last but not least is perhaps the most essential item for a cozy living room – candles! The warm flickering glow of a candle is perfect for creating a zen atmosphere.
Place candlesticks along your mantelpiece, add tealights to your bookshelves and fill your empty fireplace with candles. Worried about fire hazards? Use battery-operated candles.
There are endless, affordable ways of including candles in your cozy aesthetic (you can even learn how to make your own candles) and we promise they’ll make all the difference.
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Stay snug with our cozy living room ideas
Creating a cozy living room where you feel both relaxed and comfortable is vital to enjoying your home.
Make the most of your space with our small touches and large decorative ideas to create a home you want to spend time in. Candles, soft furnishings and warm lighting are your cozy living room must-haves!
Add interest with our accent wall ideas
Accent walls are another wonderful way of creating a cozy living room. Head over to our collection of accent wall ideas and explore more beautifully curated homes.
