Feature walls add visual interest to your living room and also help to insulate the space. Consider an accent wall of framed family photos or a gallery featuring the kids’ latest masterpieces.
Occasional tables like sofa tables and end/side/accent tables keep drinks, books, magazines and other items within reach. Curved elements, such as a round coffee table or rattan baskets, soften angular furniture shapes.
1. Natural Light
When it comes to creating a cozy family space, natural light is an absolute must. Not only does it help create a warm and inviting environment, but it also helps showcase architectural features and decor elements, enhancing their visual appeal. In addition, it has a calming effect, which makes people feel happier and more relaxed.
Whether you’re building a new home or remodeling an existing one, it’s important to incorporate natural lighting into your design. In fact, a survey by Roof Window Outlet found that natural light is the number one feature families look for in a new home.
To make the most of your natural light, choose windows and skylights with low profiles to allow maximum sunlight in. Using multiple lighting sources is also helpful. Accent and task lights can accentuate decorative elements, while ambient lighting can provide general illumination. Incorporating a combination of different types and heights of lamps is also an effective way to create a visually appealing lighting scheme.
Try sconces that cast light upwards, or opt for floor and table lamps with woven shades that add material warmth and an organic glow to the room. For a more sophisticated style, sconces with metal or wooden frames can add an element of sophistication to the space, while adding contrasting textures and materials.
If your home is designed with open-plan living, consider using a large mirror to reflect light around the space, making it feel bigger and brighter. You can also use a rug to tie the space together, choosing neutral tones that complement your natural light source and will remain neutral in color throughout the day. Toss in a few framed family photos and other personal touches to create a warm, inviting atmosphere.
2. Organic Shapes
Incorporating organic shapes can make a room feel more inviting and cozy. The design trend draws inspiration from nature, blending soft curves and asymmetrical forms into furniture pieces like curved sofas or round coffee tables. It also incorporates earthy materials and textures such as wood or rattan and decor such as wool textiles and ceramic vases.
The natural look of the organic modern style is easily achieved through incorporating accents with an earthy element, whether that’s stone, woven materials, or plant life. Rives says adding a stone accent wall can instantly elevate the look of a room, while Curtis suggests stocking up on “earthy, organic sculptures and pieces.”
Bringing in some natural elements will add the texture that’s so important to an organic modern interior, and it doesn’t have to be a grand project. Even a few plants scattered throughout the space will add that extra layer of warmth.
Another way to bring in organic shapes is through the use of non-uniform fixtures and lamps. A curved light fixture can make an eye-catching focal point, while a lamp with a different shape can break up the line of the room.
Patterned wallpaper is a great way to introduce the natural style into a room without overwhelming it with too much visual interest. It can be used as a backdrop for furniture or an accent wall to create a focal point in the room. Pairing it with a textured rug and wood or stone accents will further elevate the room and pull in the organic modern vibe.
3. Cozy Colors
Color has the power to elicit emotions and set the tone in a room. Cozy colors evoke feelings of warmth and comfort, and that inspires laughter and connection. In contrast, cooler shades can create a more distant and formal atmosphere.
To bring a cozy ambiance to your family living space, start with a neutral palette and add pops of cozy textures. Soft beiges, creamy whites, and earthy browns offer a welcoming foundation to build on with pillows, throws, blankets, and other accessories. Add a touch of warmth with warm, cozy fabrics such as chenille or cable knit.
Choose cozy hues that suit your personality and taste. For example, if red is too dramatic for you, try a soft and subtle shade such as Farrow & Ball’s Cromarty, which is like an extra milky matcha latte. This hazy green shade works well in almost any style, making it versatile enough for a cozy family living space.
If you prefer warm hues with a bit of depth, opt for chocolate brown or caramel tones. Both of these colors offer a cozy and inviting vibe, and they also work well with popular neutrals such as grey and beige. In this cozy family living space, designer Anna Spiro chose buttercream yellow (like Sherwin-Williams Dayroom Yellow) for the walls and ceiling to balance the warm wood floors.
Dark shades of blue can create a soothing and cozy atmosphere, too. For example, Sarah Fischer of Sarah & Sons Interiors used Benjamin Moore’s Blue Spruce for the trim and ceiling in this living space, which looks a lot like a true white but with a hint of blue to make it look a little more refined.
4. Warm Hues
Color has a profound effect on how we feel, and warm hues are particularly effective in family rooms because they encourage feeling of warmth, security and togetherness. Located on the warmer side of the color wheel, these saturated tones (like oranges and reds) visually envelop the space, creating an intimate and inviting ambiance that will help foster conversation among family members.
Even neutrals can be cozy when used in the right shade, such as driftwood gray or antique white. In addition to the natural texture these colors bring, they work well with warm metals and wood finishes to add a cozy vibe. If you’re unsure which neutral to choose, test several different shades in your space at various times of day to see how they look both in natural light and with artificial lighting.
Dark colors can also work well in large spaces to make them feel more intimate and cozy, especially if you use them on an accent wall or as wainscoting. Deep tones of blue, green or purple are a great choice for a cozy room and complement many other colors.
If you want to create a visually cozy divide between a living and dining area, consider adding a divider such as a half wall, pillars or ceiling beams (like in this room by architect Selma Akkari and designer Rawan Muqaddas). For something more temporary, a beautiful rug, curtains, large lamps, a table between sofas or chairs, or an attractive cobogo block screen can all serve the same purpose.
The final element to create a cozy family living space is the use of textural elements, such as plush throw blankets and soft pillows. You can also incorporate a gallery wall with framed family photos or personal artwork to make the space feel homey.
5. Clean Lines
Whether you have a slick contemporary design or traditional style, clean lines are essential to cozying up your space. Crisp white walls and polished wood accents, for example, help establish a comfortable foundation that lets furniture and decor shine.
Adding texture is another way to boost your cozy living room design. Plush pillows, for instance, are a cozy touchstone that add softness and visual interest to your couch or chair. Likewise, blankets offer a luxuriously inviting canvas for creating a warm ambiance.
One of the easiest ways to set the mood is with scents. Try a scented candle, incense, or aromatherapy diffuser to fill the space with relaxing, inviting aromas. You can also evoke a sense of calm with soothing artwork, such as serene landscapes, photos of peaceful scenes, or calming word prints.
Finally, consider how your family will use the space to guide your seating and decor choices. For instance, if you have a large family gathering area, choose modular seating that can be moved around and reconfigured to facilitate a classic conversation circle. Or if your kids prefer to snuggle on the floor, select a cozy nook or love seat that invites reading or playing video games.
Adding ceiling beams, half walls, or pillars can visually divide up a room in permanent or semi-permanent ways. For a more flexible approach, you can also utilize area rugs, curtains, or even furniture placement to create cozy spaces within your larger room.
