Not all of us have the time and money to carry out major renovation work on our homes. But what if your lounge feels less than homely? Living spaces that lack cosiness can feel cold and uncomfortable as autumn hits. Don’t worry, there are lots of quick fixes to ramp up the snugness of your lounge, without needing to spend lots of time or money. Here’s seven tried and tested ideas to have a go at.
Use paint
One of the quickest and simplest fixes to cosy up a lounge is to use paint. Painting a room in warm, autumnal tones such as browns and oranges can really improve the ambience. Although reds also add warmth it’s wise to use them sparingly to keep a soothing feel to the space. Deep greens with a yellow undertone are a better option as they’re warming and provide a sense of calm.
You needn’t stick to walls though, as painting your ceiling in a dark color is a great way to make the space feel more intimate. If you don’t fancy painting the room, you could create a cosier color scheme through your furnishings and artwork. This can be a good alternative for those who rent their homes.
Put up panelling
Another way to give your walls a cosy makeover is to put up panelling. And there are plenty of affordable panelling options to try. You could use strips of MDF to create shaker-style panelling or beaded moulding to create classic wainscoting. Alternatively, there are DIY-friendly kits you can use to make tongue and groove panels and slatted feature walls.
If these options feel like they’re out of your comfort zone, you could put up wallpaper that mimics the effect of panelling.
Add soft furnishings
You don’t actually need any DIY or decorating skills to overhaul your lounge. So, if you’re not handy with a paintbrush or hammer, then this next idea could be more suitable for you.
Using soft furnishings is one of the most effective ways to ramp up the cosy feel of a lounge. You could swap blinds for velvet, chenille or jacquard curtains. Perhaps throw down a wool or shaggy-piled rug or dress the sofa in extra throws and cushions. These soft and sumptuous fabrics will instantly raise the comfiness levels.
Rearrange furniture
An equally simple and effective idea for boosting the cosiness of your lounge is to rearrange the furniture.
Although keeping furniture close to the walls can make a room feel nice and spacious, that’s not necessarily a plus when you’re looking to boost cosiness. Moving sofas and armchairs closer together brings a more intimate atmosphere to the room.
Lose the ceiling lights
Even though bright ceiling lights have their place in the home, they’re not the best tool for creating a cosy autumnal atmosphere. In fact, using side, floor and table lighting in the lounge is one of the most affordable ways to change the tone from cold and clinical to snug and soothing.
To make this type of lighting work, use bulbs that give off a warm, orangey glow and choose lampshades that softly filter the light.
Pepper the room with plants
Plants have the unique power to bring about a sense of calm wherever they’re placed. But more than that, their foliage is great for softening hard surfaces and edges. Tall, bushy plants are also good at filling empty corners, helping to move the walls closer in.
So, you can use this cocooning effect to cosy up your lounge. Try large, leafy plants like monsteras, kentia palms and dragon trees.
Focus on the fireplace
More often than not, the TV is the prime focal point in a lounge. But if you want to conjure up a warmer ambience, it’s worth shifting the focus to the fireplace. If you don’t have a fireplace, a simple plug-in electric stove could be a good alternative.
Of course, to make a real feature out of your fireplace, it’s a good idea to set the scene. You don’t need to light a fire as some candles or fairy lights placed in the grate can set the right tone. Dressing the fireplace with a log basket and seasonal decorations like garlands and pumpkins can help to complete the look.
