Small cosy living room
33 cosy living room ideas to create a comforting space
As multi-use as lounges are these days, we ultimately need them to be a comfy place to retreat to; a space in which we can totally unwind. This is why cosy living room ideas are so desirable.
This type of living room ideas is all about creating a mood: one that feels intimate and enclosed with plenty of tactile materials, gentle lighting and home decor you love.
Whether you have a small snug or larger living area to play with, you can amp up the cosiness factor with a few simple techniques and make a space that's perfect for hunkering down in. 'Texture, colour and lighting are key to creating a cosy living space,' says Nadia McCowan Hill, Resident Style Advisor, Wayfair .
Cosy living room ideas
'The overall scheme or colour palette will have a big impact on the final impression. A room you want to curl up and relax in comfort needs to have plenty of soft textures, complementary colours and patterns and mood lighting,' Nadia adds.
A fireplace is usually the focal point of cosy living room ideas, which never fails to bring a comforting ambience. But if you don't have one, you can still arrange furniture in a way to create a sociable and inviting space.
1. Embrace hygge with natural materials
(Image credit: Future PLC / Mark Scott)
Rikke Blaeside, Design and Range Manager, JYSK , says one way to achieve warming cosy living room ideas is to of course embrace Hygge. The Danish tradition is centered around creating a sense of joy and cosiness through home interiors and lifestyle, by making small changes that have a big impact.
Rikke says layering a variety of textiles to conjure up feelings of contentment and relaxation. Home accessories in natural materials such as wicker, rattan, and wood can add contrast and are an easy way to bring a sense serenely rustic living room ideas into the home. 'Combine practical and pretty wicker baskets and wood accessories with hints of metal and glass for a natural expression,' she suggests.
2. Stick to a palette of grounding earth tones
(Image credit: COAT)
'Warm tones are the key to making living rooms feel cosy,' comments Aaron Markwell, Colour Guru, COAT . 'In brighter living rooms, choose light taupes and earthier tones for your interior scheme.'
'In more shadowy spaces, go for deeper beiges or buff pinks to add warmth without it feeling too grey,' Adam suggests. These shades are also great for adding warmth without overwhelming small living room ideas. The colour expert explains that choosing furnishings and flooring in complimentary tones will maximise warmth while creating an elevated monochromatic look.
3. Cleverly layer textiles
(Image credit: Future PLC / Dominic Blackmore)
As we've said, layers of soft furnishings are great for bringing the right vibe for cosy living room ideas, but keep things looking cohesive and warm by balancing patterns and plains. This will also keep your cosy space on the right side of modern living room ideas.
'Layer plains and patterns carefully,' advises Debbie Leigh, Design Manager, ILIV . 'When using bold patterns on upholstery it is best to keep the cushions plain or go for a plain fabric for the upholstery and experiment with a mixture of colours and patterns on scatter cushions.'
4. Fill open spaces with homely touches
(Image credit: Future PLC / Colin Poole)
But it's not all about textures and layering when it comes to how to design a living room (although we'll never say no to a boucle armchair and knitted blanket). Lisa Slack, Head of Product, Thomas Sanderson points out that cosiness essentially boils down to reducing the amount of open space in the room.
'Add a shelving unit in an open space and place family photos on each self to bring a sense of nostalgia and make the room feel homely,' she recommends.
5. Think about scent
(Image credit: Future PLC / Simon Whitmore)
Scent has a big part to play in creating restful and cosy cosy living room ideas.
Laura Rich, Product Design Lead, Furniturebox , says the bold oaky or waxy smells that a fire or candles give off will fill a room, making it feel more intimate and inviting.
'This is known as scent mapping and can help give your living room more personality,' she says. If you don't have a fire or aren't a fan of candles, choose a signature scent with the best home fragrance from reed diffusers to room sprays.
6. Make the space feel lived-in but loved
(Image credit: Future PLC / James French)
'For me, cosy living room ideas is about making it feel lived-in but loved,' says Laura from Furniturebox. 'Many modern living room trends, though stylish, can make a home feel empty and a little soulless.'
Allow as much natural light as possible, keeping your living room blind ideas open during the day so the sun cascades across the room and onto the sofa where you sit. Fill the space with your favourite books, plants and upcycled pieces of furniture.
7.
Cocoon with colour drenched walls(Image credit: Paint and Paper Library)
If you're looking to introduce the latest paint trends, like colour drenching, to your living space, be bold with how you use them. 'We are seeing a move towards deep, saturated shades, darker tones that create a sense of intimacy and comfort,' explains Andy Greenall, Head of Design, Paint & Paper Library .
'This move to a cocooning, sheltered warm feeling sees colours such as blackened denim ‘Kigali', charcoal toned blue 'Squid Ink' and rich and welcoming brownish-red ‘Masai' rising to the fore, and being embraced not only on walls, but on ceilings and woodwork too.'
8. Create ambience with colour blocking
(Image credit: Future Plc/James French)
Get creative with on-trend paint shades. In this stylish lounge area, the room has been divided into two halves. Recreate this simple living room paint idea by using masking tape to create a division.
The brooding dark shade of blue fills the lower half of the room, great for cosy evenings in, anchoring the space.
The top half is a softer aqua shade that offsets the darker blue beautifully and keeps the space airy in the daytime.
(Image credit: IKEA)
Consider smart living room storage ideas so you always have extra cosy layers at the ready. This sumptuous burnt orange footstool not only adds a plump extra seat or place to pop your feet up, but it also provides the perfect place to keep blankets.
Having a supply of layers is essential for making a living room feel cosy. Pull a throw over your legs while you watch a movie or boxset and feel the warming benefits in an instant.
10. Adjust the lights
(Image credit: Future Plc/Dominic Blackmore)
'There are two key things to remember when trying to create cosy living room ideas, and that's lighting and textures,' says Kelly Collins, Interior Design Expert, Swyft . 'Both can be done on relatively small budgets.' Kelly recommends keeping it low level, so switch off the overhead lights and flick on lamps.
Whether a large or small space, the right living room lighting ideas can create a softer, more intimate feel. Table lamps placed on side tables and sideboards provide atmosphere and functional task lighting, for reading in an armchair for example. While floor lamps overhead can create pockets and pools of warm light, illuminating quiet corners, and giving the space definition. Always go for dimmable lighting so you can adjust it to suit the mood.
11. Set the scene with candlelight
(Image credit: Max Attenborough)
Nothing creates a cosy ambience quite like candlelight. If your living space doesn't have a real working fire you can cheap the feel with a curated display of candles.
Fill a central point of focus with lanterns and assorted pillar candles to create a warming glow. Always be fire safe when using candles in the home, and never leave them unattended.
12. Balance alluring tones of grey and blue
(Image credit: Future Plc/ Simon Whitmore)
Blues can create a slightly cooling effect in a room but by combining them with gentle grey tones and plenty of texture and accessories, you can create an alluring sense of depth.
The balance of striking blue against soothing grey highlights creates an effortlessly chic cocooning decor perfect for curling up in.
13. Embrace comforting textures
(Image credit: Future Plc/Colin Poole)
If decorating isn't an option, you can still transform living room colour schemes with some new accessories. Not even new, you could choose to swap decor from another room to switch things up and make it feel more sustainable. Use warming colours in your living room to awaken the scenes.
White living room ideas can be surprisingly hygge, just add some eye-catching colour through soft furnishings, cushions, throws and a rug. Look for tactile textiles: velvet, linen and wool all have a cosy quality. The tassels on the throw draped across this sofa feels almost scarf like, a design that instantly makes you think of warming layers.
(Image credit: DFS)
This L-shaped sofa makes a big statement while offering plenty of seating for the whole family and guests to kick back and relax in.
The same convivial effect can be created by placing two sofas at right angles. Arrange some snacks on a coffee table within arm's reach and you've got a cosy evening in.
15. Insulate with window treatments
(Image credit: Future)
Window treatments not only provide a decorative feature but they also help to insulate a room. When you shut the outside world out, making the space feel enclosed you automatically begin to lead in to cosy living room ideas.
Lined blinds and living room curtain ideas will also add a layer of valuable insulation against the glass window panes, preventing drafts and chills from entering.
16. Go for carpet underfoot
(Image credit: Future Plc/Simon Whitmore)
Consider changing your living room flooring ideas to something more cosy. Carpeted living rooms will always feel warmer by nature because carpet looks more comforting, exuding a sense of warmth.
Carpet of any kind is an insulating material because it provides a protective layer on top of an underlay that covers floorboards.
Any potential drafts through original floorboards are covered and therefore the room feels warmer – cosier than other flooring options.
17. Layer rugs
(Image credit: Future Plc/Polly Eltes)
Don't fret if you have fashionable wooden or on-trend polished concrete flooring in your living room, you can simply add rugs to welcome extra warmth underfoot. Rugs can provide a short-term fix to making the space feel cosy, dressing the floor with tactile designs that feel sumptuous between your toes.
To add an extra cosy factor, layer rugs on top of rugs to ensure the floor is ultra cosy, and inviting for pets to curl up on too.
18. Find a warming focal point
(Image credit: Future Plc/Brent Darby)
Whether your living room features a fireplace or not, anchor your furniture around a central point. Bring your sofa in closer for the colder months to create a more intimate space – to huddle closer and create warmth. If you have a fireplace this is ideal as a warming focal point.
If not try a cluster of lanterns and candles to get the same element of natural heat.
19. Snuggle into oversized pieces
(Image credit: Loaf)
Nothing provides a sense of comfort quite like an oversized armchair that gives you an inviting 'hug' to snuggle into. If you have the space choose a love seat to take over a corner of the living room, providing a solitary space to curl up with a good book and a cup of something warming.
20. Sit beside the fire
(Image credit: Future Plc/Colin Poole)
Wood burner ideas will instantly evoke feelings of comfort and cosiness, and, because we all draw near to a warm fireplace, it will become the focal point of your room. Move your seating in noticeably closer during the colder months to benefit further from the immediate warmth.
'Nothing makes a living room feel cosy like a wood-burning stove,' comments Jon Butterworth, MD, Arada Stoves . 'A lit fire can dramatically lift our mood. On a cold, dreary, winter’s night, there’s nothing more appealing than cosying up by the open flames.
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Due to their design it's safe to get closer to a log burner, because the flames are behind safety doors – with an open fire always remain at a distance and have a fireguard in place, to avoid spitting embers.
(Image credit: Future Plc/Brett Charles)
Adopt a Scandi approach to dressing seating with inviting layers of extra comfort, such as sheepskin rugs and faux furs. Easy to add seasonally, these tactile layers can instantly welcome touch of indulgence and warmth to make nights in front of the TV feel all the more cosy. Chic grey walls and smart furniture create a modern country feel in this stylish living room.
22. Seek comforting shapes
(Image credit: Future Plc/Max Attenborough)
Shape and texture are just as important as colour when trying to create an inviting living room. This pair of upholstered wing armchairs with squashy cushions are a classic example: their rounded high-backed forms look comfortably padded and the wool fabric begs to be touched.
23. Make a white scheme feel cosy
(Image credit: Future Plc/ Paul Massey)
Make white tones feel cosy with the right finish. Team slubby linens with aged teak and matt paint for a more grounding feel, appealing to the senses by creating a calm space to relax. Low level lighting from lamps will enhance the warm undertones of the best white paint shades.
24. Display firewood
(Image credit: Future Plc/Polly Eltes)
Make a feature of any living room fireplace essentials to let your sense know heat is on hand. A curated log display goes a long way to set the scene for a roaring fire, where the mere thought is enough to adjust a mindset to feel cosier.
25. Introduce luxe touches with metallics
(Image credit: Future Plc/Dominic Blackmore)
Metallic touches, such as burnished bronze and warm copper, add a warm quality to any colour scheme, particularly contrasting dark paint colours. A metallic finish on lighting, furniture and tabletop accessories will gently reflect light back into the room – emitting a warm glow to create a cosy ambience.
26. Welcome rustic elements
(Image credit: Future Plc/Dan Duchars)
To decorate a cosy living room choose colours and patterns that offer a rustic country aesthetic. Country living room ideas are ideal for creating a cosy retreat, a place filled with natural colours and textures to create a sense of calm. Unpainted beams, a log burner and wooden-legged furniture continue the rustic theme.
27. Add warming accent colours
(Image credit: Future Plc/Simon Whitmore)
Blue walls give this country-style room a cheerful feel while the more fiery, spicy shades of burnt orange infuse the space with warmth. Flashes of metal furniture and metallic accessories also help to add a warming reflective quality to the look.
28. Enrich with warming reds
(Image credit: Future Plc/Joanna Henderson)
The effect of red walls is instantly warming. White woodwork and accessories freshens and sharpens the look. A rich leather sofa helps to invite warming tones, to reflect the effect of warming walls in a captivating red living room idea.
29. Pick autumnal berry tones
(Image credit: Future Plc/Rachel Whiting)
Select a rich mulberry tone for your walls to create a warm, intimate mood. Interestingly, the same hue can feel cool and calm in summer, so it really is a colour for all seasons. Layer aubergine and crimson shades with soft furnishings, from curtains and cushions to artwork and throws.
30. Enhance cosy cottage vibes
(Image credit: Future Plc/Pollyt Eltes)
This cosy cottage living room has been given modern touches. An inglenook fireplace and exposed beams set a rustic tone, while squashy sofas, metallic occasional tables and a bold mustard wingback armchair have stylish appeal. The dark furnishings and soft textures in this living room create an intimate space for entertaining.
(Image credit: Future Plc/Joanna Henderson)
Upholstered, button-back furniture is another way to create a cosy, warm look. A rocking chair is also an ideal way to provide restful additional seating for a living room, to gently embrace a comforting rocking motion.
Ramp up the indulgent mood with candlelight on the mantelpiece.
32. Welcome country pattern and prints
(Image credit: Future Plc/David Brittain)
Adding prints that are synonymous with cheerful country style can be another simple way to make your living room feel more inviting. Choose either floral or checked prints to give your room a more traditional feel, or combine both for a more relaxed, boho style. Layer the scheme with cosy tactile textures to enhance the look.
33. Expose natural brick
(Image credit: Future Plc/ Robert Sanderson)
The exposed red brick of the inglenook fireplace makes it the focal point of this traditional living room. A sofa covered in a contemporary floral fabric and vibrant cushions keeps the look up to date. A soft palette of cream on walls and floors gives this room a soothing mood, but pops of red ensure it has a warm feel, too.
How can I make my living room look cosy?
You can achieve cosy living room ideas through very simple styling measures.
Firstly turn down the lights, creating a more intimate ambience. 'Incorporate soft lamps and lights that are easily dimmable. This is so you can reduce the brightness when you have completed a task, allowing for a cosy, relaxed environment to socialise in,’ says David Amos, CEO, Amos Lighting + Home . Candlelight welcomes a soft light to any decor and also offers a budget idea for creating a cosy living room with minimal effort.
What colours make a living room cosy?
Warmer tones such as creams, taupes, oranges, reds and even darker greens can help create cosy living room ideas. 'All these colours will make you feel warm and cocooned in the space,' says Kelly from Swyft. 'They can either be used sparingly as a feature wall or maybe even inside of a bookcase or if you are feeling brave paint all the walls.'
'Warm tones enrich our homes and create cosy sanctuaries away from the outside world,' explains Joa Studholme, Colour Curator, Farrow & Ball' . 'Luxurious colours like 'Preference Red' can be added to the most neutral of palettes by using them in rooms we use at the end of the day when we most want to relax and be comforted.
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'Red is incredibly chic by day and cosy by night, they bring a grounded but luxurious atmosphere that is thought-provoking as well as soothing, particularly when paired with other hues found in the natural world.'
13 Cosy Living Room Ideas For Your Home
As the nights draw in and the weather turns chilly, curling up on the sofa in front of the TV or a good book becomes commonplace. To help you create the ultimate cosy living room, interior design experts share their simple top tips for making the most of your lounge space during autumn and winter. From soft furnishings to mood lighting, learn how to make your space more inviting with these cosy living room ideas.
It's crucial to make sure your living room is well insulated for the winter months. Start with the main culprit for heat loss – the windows. 'If they're ill-fitting and draughty, it's worth replacing them with double- or triple-glazed units to help retain the heat, keep draughts at bay and maintain condensation-free sills,' says interior designer Julia Kendell.
Additionally, individual thermostats on radiators are useful so you can adjust each room's temperature when needed and minimise fuel costs. For more advice and information about keeping your house warm, visit the Energy Saving Trust.
Using rich and deep colours is an effective way to give an impression of warmth, says Julia. 'Dark charcoal and navy both look fantastic on walls and work well together, especially when teamed with furnishings in contrasting colours, such as berry shades and mustard yellow,' she explains. 'Wooden furniture is also excellent in combination with a dark palette.'
Bring in burnt oranges, deep reds, mustard yellows, earthy tones or saturated colours for a bolder choice. 'Reflecting the seasons in your home is a great way to freshen up your space. To really lift these colours and bring them to life, consider a mixture of creative layouts, patterns and textures,' says interior designer Rukmini Patel in collaboration with 247 Blinds.
Mid-century modern and industrial styles in particular look great teamed with rich shades.
House Beautiful/Dan Duchars
3. Add some shineCopper and brass work especially well with grey and navy walls. 'You can introduce a bit of sparkle with most colour schemes if you go for small highlights such as scatter cushions, tea light holders and picture frames,' explains Julia. 'If you want to go further, opt for a wallpaper or curtain fabric with a metallic element in the design.
'Another great use of metallics is on the inside of lampshades as it will cast a warm glow to the surroundings, and even when not lit will still add interest and opulence to the scheme.'
4. Cast a glowHouse Beautiful/Rachel Whiting
With fewer daylight hours in winter, it's important to ensure every cosy living room is well lit. Aim for soft background lighting, says Julia, preferably with ceiling fittings that are dimmable, and a task light by the sofa for reading.
'Low light from table lamps are an excellent addition, use warm LED light bulbs to add additional warmth and comfort to your room, the more yellow the light, the cosier you will feel,' adds interior designer Vanessa Arbuthnott.
And, if you’ve got a darker corner, you could use a lamp to transform it into a reading nook. Try adding a ceramic-based or rattan style table lamp next to your favourite armchair or on either side of your sofa.
Made.com
'When settling down for the evening, cosied up on the sofa, you don’t want garish overhead lights which can feel too bright and cold,' says interior design psychology expert, Niki Schafer, in collaboration with B&Q. 'To achieve the feeling of cosy – the point at which our bodies relax and we feel a sense of safety – it’s best to sit in a pocket of light. A dimmable floor lamp is perfect to achieve this, as it casts a warm puddle of light in a specific area.
'To create a sense of balance throughout the room, wall lights can also create soft light that doesn’t dominate.
Try leaving them on a circuit of their own so they can be used as the sole source of light.'
Mood lighting is also key to creating a snug and cosy environment at home. Vanessa suggests making the fireplace (if you have one) your primary light source for cold evenings.
Julia echoes this idea: 'A woodburning stove will add a warm glow and candlelight creates a cosy atmosphere. Enhance the effect with carefully positioned mirrors and reflective surfaces.'
5. Use home fragrance
Updating your home fragrance is a simple way to introduce the new season into your living room.
'The ambience of your room is identified by the scent, and you can find one which not only matches the season but the décor of your room. Go for rich and warm scents combining bergamot, frankincense and amber, to match the autumn landscape outdoors and sit well with an open fireplace,' suggests Vanessa.
6
. Add rugs to hard flooringCarolyn Barber
'Older properties with exposed floorboards can be particularly draughty from below,' says Julia.
'Filling the gaps with flexible filler can help, or covering the floor with a room-sized rug will instantly deal with the problem.'
The Rug Seller
A rug over hard flooring can create the warmth and texture to transform your sitting room as well as enhance its visual appeal. 'Place your rug just under the front legs of your sofa and completely under your coffee table,' advises Vanessa. 'Keep it neutral with a plain colour or a light pattern. You can change the entire ambience by picking a bright coloured abstract rug.'
Daniel Prendergast, Design Director at The Rug Seller, suggests chunky knit wool rugs or faux fur styles: 'A rug is a brilliant starting point to transform your home in time for winter – and nothing screams cosy more than a faux fur rug. Whether you choose to place your rug at the heart of your living room or use it to enhance and soften a cosy nook, a faux floor rug can add a luxurious Scandi feel to your living space, creating a soft and warming effect.
Choose a neutral tone such as grey or ivory for a contemporary finish or a natural brown for an animal fur (yet faux) effect.'
7. Opt for deeper shades in your carpet
If you prefer the plush feel of carpet underfoot in your living room, the colours you use can make all the difference. For a cosy ambience, darker shades can add warmth and also make feature furniture stand out.
We're fans of a rich charcoal grey, like in this Super Sublime Saxony Carpet, that can be complemented with moody shades of deep forest green or warmed up with creamier shades of beige or caramel. If an all-over colour is too bold for your tastes, consider a stripe that brings in toasty reds or a burnt orange, and build your colour palette from there.
Of course an essential part of creating a cosy living room with carpet is the right material – the deeper the pile the better, so opt for something densely woven and luxurious.
8. Layer texturesRachel Whiting
The secret to a warm and cosy living room? Layering.
There's nothing quite as inviting on a chilly evening as soft, warm textures to sink into and snuggle up in. Layering and accessorising with extra throws and cushions is a must for lounging.
'Go for a mix of throws and cushions in chunky knit, faux-fur and felted fabrics for the ultimate in cosiness. You can also add in wool and silk for a fabulously indulgent and luxurious effect,' suggests Julia.
Vanessa adds: 'If you have a leather or bright coloured sofa, opt for neutral or contrasting dark shades to tone your living room and make it weather appropriate. Buy a few textured throws and matching pillows, layer them up or drape them over the arms.'
Opt for oranges, reds and caramel, all great tones for this time of the year that will transform your sofa and indeed the whole room.
9. Bring the outdoors in
'Introducing nature indoors is a great way to enhance the cosiness of your home,' says Rukmini. 'Pile pine cones in a vase along with silver birch to add a connection to the outdoors.
Placing fire logs near the fireplace, surrounded by candles in lanterns will make you feel warm and snug as the weather changes.'
Indoor plants are a staple in cosy spaces, studies show that they promote an array of physical and psychological benefits, from purifying our air to reducing stress, for a more relaxing atmosphere.
10. Velvet is always a safe bet
Velvet is the ultimate in cosy fabrics thanks to its luxuriously soft pile. We love a velvet sofa in a spicy mustard yellow or warming mauve – especially a corner sofa like our House Beautiful Darcy model that envelopes you as you curl up on a cold evening.
Velvet will also sit happily with other textures when you layer up your throws and cushions, so don't hold back when mixing in a chunky wool knit or a shaggy faux fur.
11. Choose the right blinds
The right window dressing is very important during the autumn and winter months, and blackout blinds can be a great way to insulate the home. These thick fabrics help to keep the heat in during the winter and, in turn, keep it out during the summer.
'It’s important to let the sunlight in during the day to gain as much natural heat as possible. Blinds should be open during the day and closed as soon as dusk falls. On especially dreary winter days, consider keeping the blinds down all day to retain heat,' explains Rukmini.
Jason Peterkin, Director at 247 Blinds, adds: 'Wooden Venetians and shutters are often thicker and essentially act as a barrier between your windows and the room. They are particularly good at retaining heat, as wood possesses insulative properties naturally.'
12. Update curtains
House Beautiful/Jo Henderson
Rather than altering the whole scheme, Julia says we should give some thought to year-round options for the living room, for example, replacing lightweight summer curtains with heavyweight drapes in winter, or adding lining such as thermal fleece fabric to lightweight curtains as the season changes.
'When it gets dark and rainy outside, drawing your curtains can make your living room warmer and cosier,' says Vanessa.
'For autumn/winter, beautiful linen curtains with insulating inter lining are a must. Again, choose warm colours such as reds and oranges to create the ultimate warm ambience.'
13. Warming woods
The warmth and rustic feel of wood makes it a great addition to a cosy living room scheme. Wooden coffee tables or sideboards, particularly in oak, mango wood or ash, can soften your space and introduce a warming and natural colour palette. Raw finishes that display the knots and imperfections of wood are particularly effective in cosy rooms, so too are chunkier pieces like this classic Ercol Mia Sideboard, as spindly legs and slim silhouettes are a touch more modern, and do better in cool, minimal spaces.
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A small living room is not a problem. Even the cramped, at first glance, room can easily be turned into a cozy place for evening relaxation in front of the TV, chatting with friends and family holidays.
Our ideas and tips will help you to ensure comfort, as well as create a relaxed atmosphere!
Interior style for a small living room
The living room is the face of the house and its arrangement should be given special attention. It is always a pleasure to relax in a beautiful interior, as well as invite friends. To visually increase the space of the room, it is advisable to opt for one of the styles described below. They are united by lightness, unloaded details and predominantly light colors in the finish.
Contemporary living room
This style combines functionality and neatness. Clear graphic lines, soothing monochrome colors, cutting-edge materials and the latest in electronics are the perfect environment for busy people. Modern style is reminiscent of the office, but it can always be complemented with cute home decor, textiles, cushions or houseplants.
Classic living room
The luxurious classic style is characterized by harmony and symmetry.
The abundance of white, crystal chandeliers and sconces, mirrors in gilded frames will fill the room with a soft glow.
The main decoration of a small living room in a classic style is carved furniture in ivory color or expensive wood polished to a shine.
Stucco molding, relief cornices, arches, columns are required. The windows are covered with heavy curtains with vertical drapery and jewelry-made tiebacks.
Provence style living room
The charming simplicity of southern France is the best solution for a small romantic living room. The distinctive features of Provence are lace, floral prints on the wallpaper, as well as pastel beige, peach, blue and gray shades. It remains only to get a beautiful service, put a vase with homemade jam and have a tea party!
Loft style living room
The design of a small loft-style living room provides for bare walls, panoramic windows and a minimum amount of furniture. Abstract paintings, black and white photographs, metal floor lamps can act as decor.
Minimalist living room
The name of this direction speaks for itself - a minimum of things, no decorations, only the necessary compact furniture and modern appliances.
Only one of the colors is used, in extreme cases - two. Available in white, grey, beige, silver or blue. Accents can be saturated, but always in a calm range.
Scandinavian style living room
Scandinavian interior style - a snow-white background with a slight admixture of beige, bright accents, as well as a lot of natural light. This design will create a feeling of freshness in a small living room.
Color matters!
To visually enlarge a small living room, it is necessary to keep the design in two or three light or neutral colors. Darker ones can be used in flooring, furniture, neat decor. The pattern should be on one thing - if the walls are decorated, then the textiles are plain, and vice versa. Restrained palette, conciseness, lack of flashy details - this is the secret of a room in which nothing will distract or annoy.
White living room
White color is ideal for the background (walls, ceiling), goes well with other colors - gives them contrast. Makes the living room more spacious and brighter.
Gray living room
Neutral grays tone down objects that are too bright. For vertical surfaces, a bleached tone of dry asphalt, silver, is suitable. Furniture and decor could be darker.
Brown living room
Brown color looks great in autumn colors - from sand to chocolate. Interspersed with orange, red, burgundy or light green shades are possible.
Blue living room
Blue color has a calming effect on the human psyche, cools. A white ceiling, blue walls and light furniture are a magical option for a small living room interior design.
Green living room
Green color has a good effect on vision and improves well-being. Looks beautiful surrounded by natural elements in shades of wood, stones, water and flowers.
Lilac living room
Shades of sunset and lavender fields.
A small living room in lilac color will set you in a romantic mood and will become a favorite vacation spot for all the inhabitants of the apartment.
Small living room decoration
To make the living room look impressive, you should choose high-quality, but not necessarily expensive materials for its decoration. The main criterion in this case is aesthetics.
Floor
For flooring in a small living room, natural parquet, laminate and carpet are most often used.
An extravagant design can also be created with self-leveling floors, artificial stone, tiles or porcelain stoneware. A glossy or polished surface will visually add height to the room.
If there are small children in the house, it is worth laying carpets - they will soften falls and warm the kids while playing on the floor, and protect expensive finishes from damage.
Walls
The side background of a small living room should be light, without noticeable color spots.
Monochromatic painting, seamless wallpaper (with narrow vertical patterns), brick or stonework, polished stone, plastic panels are suitable.
Panoramic wallpaper with 3D effect, mirror and glass partitions, artistic painting can be an interesting addition.
You can make interesting illuminated niches in plasterboard walls to place appliances, an aquarium, a collection of souvenirs or books.
Ceiling
Best of all in a small living room will look stretch mirror ceiling, two-level plasterboard or combined.
In an economical version, it is enough just to level it and paint it white. All kinds of plastic panels should be abandoned - squares and stripes will visually reduce the height of the room. The same goes for massive hanging chandeliers.
Decor and textiles
The choice of fabrics will largely depend on the overall style of the interior. So, for the classics, satin, silk, velvet textures are ideal; for the loft - translucent white, for Provence and country - in a small flower.
To visually increase the space of a small living room, it is recommended to use light and shiny textiles. Curtains should be in harmony with the rest of the finish, partially repeat the patterns on the wallpaper, emphasize the color of the walls or merge with it.
Attaching a cornice to the ceiling and lowering the curtains to the floor will make the room appear higher. A good solution for a small-sized hall is curtains throughout the wall, always light and with vertical drapery.
Large perspective paintings, mirrors, modular images, family photos and interesting panels are suitable for decoration. Vases with flowers or branches, indoor plants will also be appropriate in the living room.
Collector's editions of books, figurines and interior candles can be placed on open shelves. In order not to disturb the harmony of a small space, it is advisable to use the decor very sparingly.
Placement of furniture and equipment
The location of the sofa, TV, coffee table, shelves and other important things in a small living room largely depends on its layout.
So, in a studio apartment, you will have to combine a recreation area with a dining room, and perhaps also provide for a folding bed; the walk-through living room should somehow be protected, made more comfortable; a rectangular room will need to be balanced using geometric techniques.
Small square living room
The symmetrical harmony of the square allows you to beautifully arrange any furniture under the wall or in the center. Using corner structures, the situation can be made diamond-shaped.
Narrow (rectangular) small living room
In such rooms, usually the door is located opposite the window and the effect of the corridor is obtained. You can improve the situation as follows: curtain the window with white curtains with a smooth horizontal drapery, make the front door large and light - this will increase the narrow walls. Free areas should be trimmed with elements like brickwork or racks with elongated shelves should be arranged.
The broad sides should be mirrored, glossy, with prominent vertical lines of contrasting color and clear form from floor to ceiling.
Plank flooring should be laid parallel to narrow walls.
It is advisable to choose furniture with high backs - a squat one will “smear” the room.
Small irregular living room
If the living room turned out as a result of complex zoning or the owners decided to equip the attic for this purpose, the problem of non-standard planning arises.
In this case, it is worth ordering corner or semi-circular furniture, walls with beveled edges, unusual tables and taking care of the access of light to every part of the space.
Small living room lighting
Proper placement and aesthetic appearance of luminaires can greatly transform any small space. The living room definitely needs at least one powerful lamp on the ceiling, but you should not hang a bulky chandelier if the actual height of the room is less than 4 meters.
Neat spot diodes can be installed along the perimeter, wall lamps can be attached to the wall near the sofa (for example, to make it convenient to read books), and decor or shelves with favorite things can be illuminated with flexible ribbons.
In some design options, stylized lanterns, garlands and luminescent elements will look very nice.
Get rid of the feeling of hanging overhead ceiling will help the light coming from below, vertically from the floor. Reflected in a glossy film, it will make the room look higher.
Design of a small living room in Khrushchev
In Khrushchev, as a rule, one cannot do without redevelopment - in such cases the living room is often combined with the kitchen. This helps to increase the area and turn a familiar room into a modern studio.
To save space, it is recommended to stick to minimalism: use compact narrow racks, doors without handles, hang a flat-screen TV on the wall, and not install it on a bulky cabinet.
Upholstered furniture is better to choose folding - so in case of spending the night guests will have an extra bed.
A free corner of a small living room in Khrushchev should be equipped as a workplace: put a computer, a lamp and attach hanging shelves for books.
Integration with other premises
In cramped conditions, a good way to increase the area is to combine the living room with adjacent rooms.
Combination of a small living room and kitchen
This is a very logical option - in the living room they receive friends, relax, and can not do without tea or festive feasts. It is enough to visually separate the cooking area with a bar counter, and on the other hand put a sofa, TV, wall - and you get a comfortable multifunctional studio.
Combination of a living room with a balcony or loggia
By removing the partition between the small living room and the loggia, due to the latter, you can significantly expand the space, as well as arrange a greenhouse or work area. To prevent heat from escaping from the apartment, the balcony will have to be glazed, the cracks closed and well insulated.
Combination of a living room with a hallway or a corridor
This redevelopment option is often found in private houses, but it is also quite suitable for apartments.
A few square meters at the entrance can be left for storing clothes and shoes, separating this area, for example, with ceramic floor tiles (to make cleaning easier), and cover the rest of the space with carpet or parquet and use it as a living room.
Small living room design ideas - photo
Our gallery contains the most interesting design solutions for small living rooms. In the photo you can see what effect this or that finish gives, how different combinations of colors look, where it is better to put furniture and appliances. Get inspired!
Video: Small living room design
Cozy living room - how to arrange it? 100 photos of examples of amazing design
How wonderful to see a pleasant atmosphere, stylish design, beautiful interior items from the doorstep of your home.
Together, this makes the room cozy and comfortable to stay in.
For each person, cosiness means something different, someone likes a loft-style room, most prefer the classics, creative people are characterized by chaos in the room, they feel comfortable among carelessly scattered objects.
Color scheme in the living room
It is believed that if a room is dominated by white, it is considered bright, cozy, clean, filled with air.
Walls in white, creamy tone, greatly expand the space.
Combination of light wallpaper with various textures, for example, brickwork, wall panels, is welcome. If the walls are made in a dark color, it is recommended to combine them with a light shade.
The floor in the living room can be of different shades, both light and dark, it does not play a special role in the organization of space.
The ceiling in the living room should remain light so as not to create a feeling of squeezed space. Often the ceiling is made of stretch, glossy or matte texture.
To make the room cozy, you can't overload it with dark-colored objects, designers welcome the opposite side - more light, minimum dark.
Choosing the right items in the living room
To make the living room look really cozy, you need to choose the right items.
You can't make a room interesting with just a bright vase or a picture on the wall.
Even the most expensive sofa or wardrobe in an inept combination of color or shape can spoil the look of the room.
In order to make a room cozy, you need a TV, a soft sofa, a rug on the floor, curtains on the windows.
Upholstered furniture must be in every living room, the main attribute is a sofa, no matter what color or texture it will be.
In Russia, it is customary to put a sofa against the wall in front of the TV, lay a soft rug next to it, there can be more chairs with the sofa. They can be the same color as the sofa, or they can be different in color, texture, or shape.
You can often see rocking chairs in the living room for comfort.
The sofa in the living room can serve as an extra bed, even if its design does not imply this, the sofa does not unfold, it must be comfortable.
The perfect addition to the sofa, soft poufs can also be used.
When choosing furniture for the living room, it is important to pay attention not only to the appearance of the items, but also to their quality.
A cozy room looks even if it has a fireplace. In modern apartments, an artificial fireplace is often used, in appearance it is not much different from a natural one, a natural fireplace is usually placed in private homes.
How wonderful it is to sit around a warm place with friends on a cold evening and dream about the future.
The presence of a TV in the living room is obligatory, it is impossible to imagine its absence in the house. To save space in the room, it is hung on the wall, often right on top of the fireplace.
Modern technology in the interior significantly improves its appearance, makes the interior complete.
Textiles in the living room
A cozy room will not be without the use of fabrics, pillows, carpets. Imagine bare floors, empty windows, the room becomes uncomfortable, the interior is not complete.
It is quite another thing if a beautiful veil with thick curtains hangs on the windows, a soft, beautiful rug lies on the floor, comfortable pillows will always be waiting for you on the sofas.
