When you’ve had a long day or week, you want to come home to a comforting, calming space where you can switch off and relax. Your living space should be a place where you can be yourself and which will offer you the warmth and protection that you need. It’s always nice to give your home a revamp from time to time, and it’s an opportunity to try something new. However, it’s still important to retain that sense of comfort, so here are some useful tips for you to think about if you’re redecorating to help you maintain a cozy living space.
Colour Scheme
If you have a blank canvas to work with, this is a good opportunity to inject some color into your home. To inspire feelings of relaxation and tranquillity, choose soothing tones such as lavender, violet, or soft shades of green and blue. If you’re looking for slightly warmer colors, opt for delicate yellows, pinks, and tan. Red tones help to create a sense of warmth, but this bolder color isn’t as calming the others. While incorporating it into your color scheme would help to make a room feel cozy, don’t use too much to avoid it becoming oppressive. A good way to do this is by purchasing some throws or cushions instead.
Furniture
Getting the right furniture is key to creating a cozy living space. While certain items might look slick and stylish, remember to think about your comfort first. A lot of the more modern, sleek looking couches and chairs aren’t always that comfortable to sit in, which will negate the goal of a cozy home. If you’re redecorating your living room, why not choose a comfortable corner sofa that you can spread out on? If you don’t have the space for this, over-sized bean bag chairs or this alternative from a lovesac competitor could be ideal. They’re perfect for those looking for something a bit different when it comes to furnishings and they’re incredibly comfortable, too.
If it’s your bedroom that you’re trying to make cozier, a large king-sized bed is perfect if the room is big enough. Finding the right mattress is equally as important, both for your comfort and to make sure your body is being supported properly as you sleep. Always go into a furniture store to test these things before you buy; otherwise, you might end up making an expensive mistake.
Lighting
The lighting in a room is one of the main things that control the atmosphere. If you want to feel cozy, dimmer lights are usually the best way to go. You will need a bright enough main light in the room for some circumstances, like reading or when you’re looking for something, but installing a light with a dimmer function could be one way to have the best of both worlds. If you don’t want to go to the effort of getting new lighting installed, the other option is buying lamps to place around the room instead. When you want to lower the lighting and sink into your couch, table lamps can offer a warm glow and change the feeling of the room.
The Floors
While your floors might not be the main focal point in the room, don’t underestimate how much it can affect the overall look and feel. If you want a room to be welcoming and cozy, a threadbare, stained carpet is not going to help achieve that. You don’t have to spend a fortune on getting a new carpet put in, but if you’re going to replace your old one, there are some things you need to remember. First of all, make sure there is good underlay to keep the heat in and protect the floorboards. Secondly, make sure the carpet is of good quality so it doesn’t wear out too soon. It should also feel soft to the touch and match your color scheme to complete the cozy look.
If you have hardwood flooring in your home, this can look incredible! While it might seem colder than carpeted floors, purchasing a big rug will help to change that. You should also make sure you’re keeping your hardwood floor in good condition by cleaning it with a microfibre mop, wiping up spills immediately, and using felt protectors on the bottom of furniture.
Accessories
Once you have painted the walls, replaced the carpets, and bought your furniture, you can move on to adding other bits of character into your living space. Having beautiful prints hanging on the walls can help to add a sense of culture and personality to a room — beautiful landscapes or more experimental pieces help to make a room feel welcoming. Other items like beautiful, soft throws and cushions will certainly help to add to the comfort factor, as will candles. Consider bringing in some plant-life to the room too, as they can help to encourage relaxation — real is better, but good quality fake ones will still look aesthetically pleasing, too.
Storage
Finally, making sure that you have adequate storage space in your home and these rooms are important. Clutter and mess are a sure way to ruin the comfortable, cozy feeling of a room, and keeping on top of this will be necessary to maintain it. Invest in a good shelving unit for books and other items that need to be stored away neatly. If you have too much stuff, consider taking some time to sort through your belongings and get rid of things you no longer need or want.
Home is the place where you should feel at your most comfortable, and whether it be seeking refuge from a tough week, or cold, wintry weather, there is nothing better than coming back to a cozy atmosphere. Everyone has different tastes and styles when it comes to décor. You might be a sucker for vintage-inspired furnishings and art, or prefer the simplicity of a modern chic look. Whatever your style, these tips will work for anyone who is looking to transform their living space into a tranquil sanctuary.