What are your essentials for creating a cosy, welcoming living room.

[PinkyLovePerky]

Redecorating at the moment, new grey sofa, blue curtains and rug, pale blue/grey walls.

I want to make it cosy and inviting. What are your essential elements that make you love your living space?

Lamps in each corner instead of an overhead light. Varied textures - I have a fluffy rug, and cushions in velvet, silkish stuff, and a couple of other fabrics. A soft throw to snuggle in. Cats : )

maybe cushions in a deep dusky pink....

Well I have a very errrrm eccentric house so not best places to give interior decor tips but for cosiness

Lots and lots of books
Lots and lots of flowers
Lots and lots of fairy lights
No "mess" even if lots of objects
Lamps rather than overhead lights
Windows opened every day so it's "fresh"
The fire on in Winter
Nice candles in Winter

I'm one of those people that much prefer the cosiness and twinky lights of Autumm/Winter though!

I forgot the most important!

Cats.

with you on the velvet too.

I spend a LOT of time dreaming of how I'll be redecorating my lounge eventually. I agree, lamps are absolutely essential. And nice lamps, with interesting lampshades and textures etc. I think relatively clean lines and colours, but then you need pops of colour and textures to stop it looking sterile - a beautiful rug, some lovely cushions.

Avoid clutter [hollow laugh as I look round my current living room]]. Some books can be good, but can add to untidyness/dust so keep in proportion. Personal items - family portraits in beautiful frames and other bits are also key because it gives the room personality.

Side tables or other places to put a drink/ book etc.

At least one of these to adorn your couch is a must imo...

Lamps
Cushions
Plants
Bookcase with books!

Houseplants. Framed photos. Fairy lights. A big lamp.

.....

Lamps. Candles. Thick curtains which block out most light. Blankets and cushions. Plants. Books.

Lots of bookshelves, and comfortable reading chairs with good reading lights. Agree with everyone else on lamps rather than overhead lights. Rugs I like kilims and good curtains. I like heavy plain linen. Interesting stuff on the walls. A focal point that is not the tv. Seating oriented so that the people who are usually using the room can talk to one another easily. Those rooms that have everyone facing the TV in a row are depressing.

Lamps and a reading lamp is a must.
Dimmable overhead light.
Different textures/colours of throws and cushions.
Books in a bookcase, mine is messy and ramshackle.
A patterned chair, we have a wing chair by the window.
If you have blinds then add dress curtains.

Lovely, thanks all.

Yes to books. I am trying to declutter those to make room for new books

Would love a cat, but can't at the moment.

Defo no to dog

I like the idea of textures as everything is quite plain, although I do have a feature chair ordered.

Scented candles perhaps.

And the TV is most definitely not the focal point.

I never put the overhead light on so hadn't thought of a dimmer switch, but will add to list.

Artwork
Plants
Big chunky throw
Interesting footstool
Photographs

Pale beige/ grey laminate throughout the whole house.
Nothing says bare and empty as well as that.
Still love it though and still glad I ripped up my carpets.!
Oops wrong thread..I do have a rich dark red rug in my living room though to cosy it up a bit👍

@pusspuss9 would love dusty pink, but dh has vetoed

Not sure about where to start with art.

Comfy sofa
Some nice cushions and blankets
Art work
Plants

Massive tv 😂

forgot to say a good old fashioned rocking chair

I have a gorgeous rocking chair but it lives in another room