Up the Level of Cosy in Your Apartment in Just 4 Easy Steps
Just in time for winter.
Chilly winter months make us want to embrace our natural homebody side. If you've ever wondered how to make your apartment cosy or hunted for hygge-worthy room inspo, you've come to the right place. Check out these four modern and cosy living room ideas below.
1. Embrace Warmth…
Looking for inspiration on how to make your apartment cosy? The first step is to embrace all things warmth: from the colours you choose to the materials you gravitate toward.
...With Lots of Grey or Warm Tones
If your room already has warm-toned floors or walls, opt for a grey sofa. Grey is the ideal neutral for a cosy living room apartment as the shades range from light to dark and pair well with any accent colour. If your room is more cool-toned, choose a toffee-coloured leather sofa to warm it up a bit. Then embrace more warm accents by way of a throw blanket, coffee table books or woven accents. These twin accent chairs made from woven caramel leather create a cosy balance.
...Through Wooden Details
Wooden details are one thing you'll spy in any modern, cosy living room. If you've been blessed with wooden walls, let them stand out. Instead of hanging art, embrace the warmth of the wood around you. If your floors are wooden, let them take centre stage. If you absolutely need a rug, choose a small sheepskin option. A sheepskin rug layered over any surface adds that Scandi-style warmth your living room craves.
...With Mellow Lighting
Nothing says cosy quite like the ability to adjust the lighting in the room to match your mood. Whether you're curled up watching TV on the sofa or vegging out with your partner on a lazy Sunday, there's a different amount of light that may work best. Floor lamps and table lamps give you the option to up the brightness or dim it down. If all of your outlets are taken over by electronics, opt for candles instead. Cosy lighting and a cosy scent? Works every time.
Playing with different textures is an easy way to make your apartment cozier. It's basically science – more layers equals more coziness. See below for a couple of ways we infuse texture into our living room apartments.
...With a Pile of Cushions
Cushions, especially faux fur, velvet and suede, create the cosiest space for unwinding with a glass of wine on chilly winter nights. Pick a colour palette for inspiration and then look for as many differently textured variations as you can find in that palette.
...With Natural Elements
Creamy caramel leathers and warm-toned woods are exactly what a modern, cosy apartment needs. Modern design is all about connecting the old with the new and fusing natural pieces with man-made objects. Look for little ways to bring natural elements into the room. Opt for a wooden decorative bowl or plate, a ceramic vase filled with greenery or woven wall hangings.
Tip: Artificial plants can add an element of greenery and texture to create a cosier living room. The added bonus? They're maintenance free.
Being intentional with your design and decor is one of the key things to keep in mind when figuring out how to make your apartment cozy. Peep our tips below for how to intentionally optimize your living room.
...By Opting for a Sectional
Corner sofas (or sectional sofas) are one of the best pieces you can choose for a modern, cosy apartment. Aside from giving you tons of space to sprawl out, corner sofas also offer a lot of flexibility with your living room's design – particularly reversible models. Simply adjust the sofa's orientation to accommodate the windows in your space and ensure the natural sunlight can stream through uninterrupted.
...By Creating Storage Solutions
Storage solutions in an apartment are so important. If your home feels stuffed with things, you won't be able to relax. Consider a coffee table with hidden drawers for tucking away remotes, laptops and chargers. Opt for an ottoman with storage if you need an extra space for books or odds and ends. Bring in a large woven basket to easily store your pile of knit throw blankets.
...By Adding Bonus Seating
Floor pillows are great for last-minute get-togethers. Simply slide the pillows out for your guests to sit on, then nestle them back under the coffee table when they leave. If your coffee table is low to the ground, opt for a pouffe instead. They fit snugly into a closet or under a console table when they aren't being used.
Fêng shui might not be the first thing that comes to mind when contemplating how to make your apartment cosy, but it's incredibly important. A living room with natural, flowing movement will automatically feel more cosy.
…By Considering Shape
The shape of the furniture you choose for your living room is just as important as the aesthetic, size and colour of the piece. If your living room is on the smaller side, consider a round coffee table. The round shape will make it easier to move around the room. If you want the energy to flow naturally throughout the room, choose a coffee table, side table and console table that are open at the bottom. Thin legs are ultramodern and they'll allow for more natural sunlight to shine into the room.
...By Reflecting
Hanging a mirror in your modern, cosy room is a great way to make the space feel bigger and to reflect natural light. To make this work in your home, choose a mirror that is big enough to see your entire head, shoulders and chest.
...By Cosying Up Around the Fire
If you have a fireplace in the living room, let it be the room's main focal point instead of the TV. The warm glow of a fire has forever created a deep connection and encouraged conversation for anyone sat around it. If you don't have a fireplace, consider hanging an interesting piece of art or an abstract wall hanging. Anything that sparks conversation will create a deeper bond between you and your guests.
Tip: Enjoyed this article? Then we think you might also like:
- 12 Ways to Create a Cosy Bedroom Retreat
- 6 Cosy Reading Corner Ideas
- Crisp & Cosy Bedding Ideas to try This Autumn
