7 Mistakes That Make Your Living Room Feel Cold & Uninviting
A cosy, inviting space is a top priority for many, and it’s often the living room in which we want to feel the most snug. But if your living room feels cold and looks unappealing, then you’ll likely need to make some design tweaks.
Good news: it’s easier than you think to fix. From incorrect lighting to not enough storage, here are the seven biggest mistakes to avoid, and expert advice on exactly how to make your living space warmer and more inviting…
Choosing the right furniture is one thing, but the way you arrange it is another. The way furniture impacts the feel of a space shouldn’t be ignored, especially when creating a nest-like environment.
‘Improperly arranged furniture can disrupt the flow and functionality of the living room. This space is intended for relaxation and spending time with friends and family, so placing your larger furniture items like sofas and chairs correctly is key,’ says Victoria Foster, interior stylist at ScS,
‘Plan your living room layout with comfortable conversation areas in mind, ensuring that seating is effective for socialising. Ultimately, this is dependent on the size and shape of your room, but pairing two and three-seater sofas perpendicularly with a large coffee table or footrest offers a great shape for creating a cosy atmosphere.
‘It’s also important to not place bulky pieces of furniture in front of radiators as this will impact the flow of heat around a room.’
There’s no such thing as too many lamps and lights – trust us. The more lighting options available, the more you can adjust your living room to counteract changing levels of daylight as the day progresses.
Relying on just a single source of light can create dark corners, making a room feel cold and unappealing. Instead of relying on your main ceiling light, opt for floor lamps or table lamps to add dimension to the room and choose warm-toned bulbs to create a cosy atmosphere.
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‘Having bare floors can make the living room feel incomplete and less inviting,’ says Victoria. The solution? A rug.
‘Rugs help to anchor your seating area and add warmth and texture to the room. I’d suggest opting for a size that accommodates your existing furniture arrangement, ensuring that it is big enough to sit under the front feet of your sofa(s). This creates a cohesive and comfortable zone for your living space.’
Rugs also serve as a visual anchor point, breaking up the look of the room and in doing so, adding more depth and interest.
All walls can benefit from a little dressing up, especially if you’re trying to make a room feel more personal and inviting. Bare walls or artwork that doesn’t fit the scale of the room can leave your living room feeling stark, cold and flat.
‘Use your wall space to personalise the room with carefully chosen artwork, tall or hanging plants that can become a wall feature, mirrors, or hanging wall decor,’ suggests Victoria. ‘Pay attention to the scale of the piece versus the size of the room and be clever with the placement to enhance the visual appeal.’
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Set of 2 Abstract Rectangle Framed Art
Balancing different colours is just as important as picking ones which suit your living room. ‘Overusing one colour or not using complementary colours can make living rooms feel like they’re missing something,’ says Victoria. ‘It can make the room feel cold, particularly if you have strong shades like white or black dominating the room.
‘You can create a balanced colour palette by mixing both warm and cool tones. If you’re not a huge fan of colour, you can incorporate it into the room subtly with pops of colour through accessories, throw pillows, plants and artwork to add vibrancy and interest.’
‘Whilst minimalism has been a big trend in interiors, it isn’t the cosiest of aesthetics. A lack of personal touches and accessories can make a living room feel impersonal and uninviting,’ says Victoria.
‘Decorate with meaningful artwork, decorative pillows, and personal items. Make your favourite items focal pieces in the room and introduce different elements with plants or mirrors to add warmth and personality.’
Put your favourite pieces on display to bring personality to your living room
We recommend using texture to make your living room feel more appealing – aim to have several in your soft furnishings and decor, and don’t be afraid to contrast them. This could be a smooth wooden table paired with a rough jute rug and soft velvet pillows. Or, it could be a boucle accent chair with a leather pouffe and a richly textured piece of wall art. Get experimental.
Clutter and mess will quickly undo any attempts you’ve made to make your living room feel more inviting, instead making it appear disorganised and chaotic. Anything you display should be done with thought and purpose, everything else can be tidied away.
For a warm, cosy but uncluttered living room, invest in stylish storage solutions, such as built-in shelves, ottomans with hidden storage, or entertainment units.
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Paper Rope Fisherman Basket
Oneil Coffee Table with Storage
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