Time to Relax: 7 Ways to Make Your Living Room a Place Where You Feel Chilled and Comfortable

Today’s consumers place a lot of emphasis on personal style when it comes to decorating their living rooms, but it’s important not to sacrifice practical concerns like comfort. The plus side is that the two certainly aren’t mutually exclusive. Read on to find seven tips for how to take a functional, but not very inviting, living room and turn it into an oasis of comfort and relaxation.

Think Outside the Box

There’s no need to purchase expensive furniture. In fact, most of the time, furniture designed to look chic and fancy isn’t really all that comfortable to sit on, and worrying about every potential stain or scuff definitely isn’t conducive to relaxation. Instead of following the trends of yesteryear and filling the living room with expensive, intimidating antiques, purchase some comfortable but affordable furniture.

There’s no better way to go in a small or awkwardly shaped living room than a bean bag chair. They’re available in all kinds of sizes, colors, and even different styles and they represent the pinnacle of affordable comfort. Those who aren’t sure what kind of bean bag chair will work best in their spaces can get help at sumolounge.com.

Invite Some Nature In

Whether the living room is large or small, opening up those blinds and letting in plenty of natural light is a great way to brighten it up and create a cozy space for relaxing on a lazy day. Natural lighting isn’t the only way to let a little nature in to do its good work, though. Try incorporating easy-to-maintain houseplants, calming natural color schemes, or interesting textures like woven fabrics or natural-fiber carpets.

One of the great things about embracing a natural aesthetic is that it will complement most living room styles. Plus, adding a few houseplants will cleanse the air and letting in more natural light can help to improve mood and overall well-being while simultaneously decreasing monthly energy bills.

Avoid Straight Lines

Boxy furniture and rugs that feature linear designs are much less inviting than curves. Curved furniture makes people feel more protected and fosters an atmosphere of inclusivity, making it easier to make invited guests feel right at home. Don’t be afraid to go one step further and incorporate round tables, mirrors, or photos or to get even more creative with loose, curvy shapes.

It’s fine to combine some straight lines with curves to create a transitional style that balances comfort against contemporary design. Those who want to go this route should avoid excessive ornamentation and intimidatingly large furnishings. The transitional style is better suited to a more minimalist aesthetic that prioritizes clean lines and simple designs, not ornamentation and clutter. 

Embrace Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is the art and science of combining essential oils to produce the perfect scent. Since a home’s residents don’t just experience their surroundings based on sight alone, creating a calming scent scape is essential to fostering a general atmosphere of comfort and relaxation.

There are a few ways to use aromatherapy in the home, including scented candles, incense, and essential oil diffusers. The latter of these options is the best way to go for residents who prefer subtle, discreet scents instead of overwhelming scent experiences.

Choosing the right essential oils is arguably even more important than choosing the right aromatherapy method. For relaxation, choose oils like lavender, cedarwood, cinnamon, or Ylang Ylang.

Perfect Imperfection

A perfectly coordinated living room may look nice, but does it really feel like part of the home? Anyone who has ever walked into a formal den knows that the answer is no. Embrace the perfectly imperfect by incorporating art, furniture, or accessories that are more eclectic in nature or even completely mismatched.

Deciding to embrace the imperfect is the best way to show off unique items and create a space that truly reflects the residents’ unique personalities. Plus, a less perfectly curated living room will make guests more likely to feel welcome and relaxed instead of feeling like they’re visiting a museum.

The Right Seating Arrangements

It’s important for those who have large families or frequently entertain guests to provide adequate seating for everyone. Don’t worry so much about choosing the perfect furniture. It’s more about making sure that everyone in the room has a comfortable place to kick up his or her heels.

When placing furniture, make sure to keep the room’s primary uses in mind. Those who love to play board games may want to add a card table between two comfy couches so everyone can get involved. Video gamers or movie aficionados should orient their furniture toward the television, although it’s never wise to make the TV the only focal point of the room. As with choosing furnishings, avoid straight lines whenever possible, and make sure there’s enough space to move around easily.

Provide Alternative Lighting

Overhead lights may be practical, but they do little to add to the aesthetic of any room. They’re bright, harsh, and tend to cast a sterile-feeling wash over the room. While it would be unwise to do away with overhead lighting entirely, it’s a great idea to complement it with accent lighting that creates a softer, more welcoming glow.

Add table and floor lamps near cosy furniture to facilitate reading at night or task lamps over a desk if one or more family member likes to tackle homework or household finances in the comfort of the living room. Using floor lamps lets people get a little more creative, too. Choose lampshades that feature interesting patterns, colours, or designs but make sure they don’t interfere with the lighting too much if people use it to accomplish practical daily tasks.

The Bottom Line

Living rooms are meant to be lived in. Since every person alive has slightly different tastes, there’s no blueprint for creating the perfect cosy, comfy, inviting living room but the tips above can certainly help. Choose the ones that make the most sense for space, the household’s residents, and the designer’s personality and try to balance function with fashion for maximum effect.