Cozy living room
If you have a smaller living room—or if you’re in a rental and trying to figure out how to incorporate existing quirks, like funky tiles— take note of this living room designed by Arent and Pyke. First of all, the snug room manages to pack enough seating and surface space in, yet doesn’t look overcrowded. And the firm incorporated the eccentric tiles around the firebox by painting light pink columns on the mantel and choosing a gorgeous Art Deco floral rug in complementary colors. The geometric cube table and contemporary lighting modernize the room. The end result proves that it’s best to embrace and elevate what you have instead of fighting with it.
18 Cozy Living Rooms That Will Instantly Put You at Ease
Welcoming and warm interiors, just in time for winter.
By Hadley Mendelsohn Published: Nov 21, 2022
Great living rooms come in all sizes, shapes, forms, styles, and colors, but the one essential quality they all have in common is coziness. The living room is, after all, where you do your living—so you may as well optimize it for cuddling up and getting comfy, whatever that may mean to you. So what does it take to nail down the cozy aeshtetic in a living room? While there are no hard and fast rules for making a room cozy, there are a few designer tricks we see again and again. Ahead, get inspired by 18 cozy living room examples, and jot down your favorite cozy trends and ideas to try in your own space.
Display Used Books
Oliver Thornton
There’s just something about old books that instantly makes a room feel cozier and more personal. Whether you’ve been collecting used books for a long time or you’ve inherited some from family members, consider putting them on display in an exposed shelving unit rather than tucking them away. In this living room designed by Oliver Thornton, they add character and speak to the layered warmth of the furnishings.
Warm Up Hard Surfaces
Caroline Turner
If your living room has hardwood floors or stone tile flooring and lots of glass surfaces like this one designed by Caroline Turner, warm it up with super plush seating and rich materials like velvet.
Display Conversation-Starters
Scot Meacham Wood
Put out your favorite coffee table books and display interesting items that speak to your favorite places and hobbies. This whimsical and warm living room by designer Scot Meacham Wood incorporates tons of conversation-starters, which contribute to the overall cozy and friendly atmosphere.
Give It a Golden Glow
Lisa Romerein
This sunny living room designed by Thomas Callaway exudes warmth, despite the grand size and ceiling height. Callaway broke the room into zones to enhance intimacy and then used soft buttery glaze on the walls to give the room a golden glow, and layered rich yet mellow fabrics.
Break Up Modern Staples With Flea Market Finds
Seth Smoot
If most of the items in your living room are super contemporary and modern, splice in some more shabby chic elements, like the casual wooden stool in this space designed by Lauren Nelson, and/or incorporate one antique statement piece. Here’ the piece in question is a stately grandfather clock.
Channel the Forest
Alexa Kaehler
Verdant greens and leaf motif fabric will make your living room feel more connected to nature. In this living room designed by Alex Kaehler, the nods to nature are even cozier thanks to a roomy upholstered ottoman and tons of natural light. Even though the windows take up most of the walls, she still made sure to fill the corner with a gallery wall for a personal touch.
Separate an Open Space
Kevin Scott
A modular sofa, white painted paneling, and loose, beachy layered materials give this living room a laidback and cozy personality that still feels sharp. And, because the living room shares space with the kitchen and dining room within a larger open floor plan, Studio DIAA installed a curtain. The semi-sheer fabric ensures plenty of light but also a sense of privacy.
Evoke the Past
Erin Little
This cozy sitting room in an upstate New York farmhouse by Heidi Lachapelle balances modern touches with restored architectural bones. It features plenty of antiques, evoking cozier, simpler days of yore.
Embrace Size and Existing Pieces
Arent and Pyke
If you have a smaller living room—or if you’re in a rental and trying to figure out how to incorporate existing quirks, like funky tiles— take note of this living room designed by Arent and Pyke. First of all, the snug room manages to pack enough seating and surface space in, yet doesn’t look overcrowded. And the firm incorporated the eccentric tiles around the firebox by painting light pink columns on the mantel and choosing a gorgeous Art Deco floral rug in complementary colors. The geometric cube table and contemporary lighting modernize the room. The end result proves that it’s best to embrace and elevate what you have instead of fighting with it.
Layer Textures and Styles
Nicole Franzen
While colors can help cozy up a room, it’s not the only route. Take this neutral-toned living room by Kristin Fine, for example. Soft and texture-rich upholstery mix with cream paint, rustic wood pieces, and plenty of antique accents to make a surprisingly modern impression. Best yet, Fine demonstrates that you can have a television above the fireplace (movie marathons = instant cozy vibes) without making it the visual focal point. She created custom sliding plaster doors, and the asymmetrical design makes them look like abstract art.
Stick to One Color
Lisa Romerein
Mirroring all your walls to bounce light is a sure-fire way to make a room feel bigger. And we’re here for that design trick, but we also love that designer Benjamin Dhong did so in a way that doesn’t stifle the cozy feeling of a small space. The green monochrome approach prevents the room from looking busy while a distressed treatment on the fireplace mantel and rich velvets warm it up.
Pile On the Throws
Emily Followill
A chunky knit throw blanket, a leaning ladder to display and store extra textiles in a dimensional way, and plenty of plush throw pillows bring a softness to the edgier elements in this living room designed by Jeffrey Dungan, like the coffee table and sideboard.
Cozy living room
There is nothing more welcoming than visiting guests seeing a small yet warm and cozy living room that has been well decorated and invites you to curl up and stay awhile. This is one of the most used spaces in your home, so you want it to be functional and well-organized, which is extremely important when you are tight on space.
You don’t want this space to feel cluttered, so small furnishings is key. Built-ins can be really helpful for small decorative items and keeping this orderly and out of the way. You want your space to feel airy and bright, so please stay away from darker colors! Consider a neutral color palette with bold bursts of color.
Lots of windows can help to really lighten a space, but if you don’t have this option, good lighting also works. A large mirror in your living room can help to make the space feel bigger. If you need a less expensive option, pick up some pieces of glass at IKEA and mount them to your wall. Think smart storage solutions, such as using functional furnishings like a coffee table with drawers, or an ottoman that has a lid.
Window sills can be transformed into a small cozy seating nook, just add some pillows and a throw. A sleeper sofa can be used for overnight guests if you don’t have a spare bedroom. A small space is typically more cozy than a larger one, so have fun with it and make it your personal oasis.
Decorate your small space using a neutral color palette for the walls, ceiling, and furniture to create an illusion of space and make the room feel larger. Avoid dark or heavy colors that can make the room feel closed in.
Note: Have a look below at some excellent decorating ideas for your small living room and remember, it’s all about the layout! If you are looking for some additional inspiration, don’t forget to have a look at some of our past articles on 51 Inspiring small living rooms using all available space and Small living room solutions for furniture placement.
Tell Us: Which one of these small living room design ideas do you find most inspiring? Let us know in the Comments below!
1. Use light colors on walls and furniture to create an illusion of space.
2. Opt for multifunctional furniture, such as a sofa bed or storage ottoman.
3. Strategically place a mirror in your small living room to reflect light and give the impression of a larger space. Mirrors can visually expand the room and enhance natural light if positioned opposite a window.
4. Opt for space-saving solutions by selecting furniture and decor items that are designed specifically for small spaces to create a feeling of openness.
5. Avoid clutter by organizing and minimizing decorative items.
6. Utilize floating shelves to maximize vertical storage.
7. Use rugs to define different areas within the living room.
8. Incorporate a small-scale armchair or accent chairs instead of bulkier options.
9. Opt for a small-scale sofa or loveseat instead of a large sectional.
10. Use a large statement piece of artwork instead of multiple small ones.
11. Select furniture that serves multiple purposes, like a coffee table with built-in storage.
12. Incorporate a desk that can be used as a workspace for a multi-purpose room.
13. Incorporate built-in storage solutions, such as wall-mounted shelves or cabinets.
14. Use curtains or blinds that allow natural light to enter the room.
15. Utilize wall-mounted shelves or floating shelves for storage without taking up floor space.
16. Use a wall-mounted TV above the fireplace to save floor space.
17. Create a focal point in the room, such as a statement wall or a striking piece of furniture.
18. Incorporate a variety of textures and patterns to add visual interest.
19. Place a large mirror opposite a window to reflect more light into the room.
20. Hang curtains that are long enough to touch the floor to create the illusion of height.
21. Install sconces or wall-mounted lights instead of floor lamps.
22. Use a narrow console table behind the sofa for additional storage and display space.
23. Opt for a small-scale sofa or a sectional that fits the proportions of the room.
24. Incorporate lightweight and transparent furniture, like acrylic or glass tables.
25. Choose furniture with clean lines and minimalistic designs.
26. Hang curtains close to the ceiling to create the illusion of taller walls.
27. Add a large mirror behind furniture to create depth.
28. Place a large area rug to anchor the seating area and create a cozy feel.
29. Mount the TV on the wall to free up valuable floor space.
30. Choose lightweight and transparent furniture, such as acrylic or glass, to maintain an open feel.
31. Opt for furniture with hidden storage compartments such as an ottoman.
32. Hang curtains that are the same color as the walls to create a seamless look.
33. Select furniture with raised legs to create an airy feel.
34. Select a coffee table with removable or nested stools for extra seating — or a table you can store additional seating underneath.
35. Use a cohesive color scheme to create a visually unified space.
36. Use a striped or patterned rug to add visual depth and dimension to the room.
37. Opt for a round or oval-shaped coffee table to minimize sharp corners. (via One Kings Lane)
38. This compact studio apartment on Manhattan’s Upper West Side is full of clever design details. On the walls, removable wallpaper can be found on one side, and hand-painted pinstripes on the other. A multi-purpose console table is used as a workspace, dining table, and vanity. (via LABLstudio)