Cozy Living Room Ideas On A Budget

Cozy Living Room Ideas

How to make your living room feel cozy by adding texture and layers to your room

A few months ago we bit the bullet and purchased a new sectional for our family room. And then we got to play a fun game of musical couches with the rest of the furniture in our house.

Our IKEA EKTORP sofas that were once in our family room got demoted to our front room. Our front room has been referred to as the land of the misfits. It’s where all leftover furniture that I have no idea what to do with goes.

For the past three years we had barely used this room. It was just as useless as our dining room. There wasn’t much of a seating area; it was just a hodge podge of furniture. This living room isn’t a small space either so the room just felt bare and boring to me. I really wanted to make this an inviting living room.

But let me tell you a secret, after I brought the IKEA couches in here and did a little decorating magic, this front room is quickly becoming our favorite room in the house.

The kids come in here and read (sometimes), play on their electronics (usually always), play cards and occasionally hit each other in the head with my throw pillows.

It didn’t take a whole lot to make this room inviting and cozy. And one day I will come in here with a good book…yeah right

Like I said, this isn’t a small room and sometimes it’s harder to make a large living room feel like a cozy space but it just takes some tweaking. Here are some of the easiest ways I found to make your living room feel cozy…

How to make your living room cozy

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1.) Start with a monochromatic look with neutral colors

Shortly after we brought the IKEA couches in here, I purchased new slipcovers for them. We had the dark gray slipcovers on them but I couldn’t wait to switch them out. They were old and tired and just needed to be retired (see I’m a poet and didn’t know it).

Here’s a shot of the room with the gray slipcovers

It was fine but something felt off to me. This room seemed cold and uninviting to me. Technically, none of my rooms have ever really invited me into them if we are being honest.

Until recently…

And since I felt like these couches were the focal point in this room I did what every girl should do.

Two slipcovers later and I feel like I purchased two new couches…and have myself a completely different room….that actually did invite me into it. This room talks to me….or maybe that’s the voices in my head….kidding.

When I purchased the beige slipcovers I was worried this room would look too tone on tone….and it did. But that is what this room needed and what I was craving for this space.

The beige slipcovers softened this room and, you guessed it, gave it that cozy vibe .

(PS, there is a nasty rumor going around that IKEA is retiring their EKTORP line so if you are wanting this couch, get it quick. You can see my honest review of the EKTORP sofa here)

Going monochromatic doesn’t just mean beige, You can go dark and moody too. I’m a fan of dark of moody. I know I have shared this room from Studio Mcgee before and it’s because I love it. A dark and moody room is perfect if your living room does not get a ton of natural light.

You can also add in pops of color to a monochromatic look.

2.) Add texture

Repeat after me….texture,texture and more texture…and then some natural textures

Texture is important and a simple way to warm up a space, but not just when it comes to a soft throw or a pillow. Wicker baskets, leather stools, velvet pillows, fur blankets, window treatments, you get the jist.

Add in all those soft textures for a winning combo.

Pretend your room is vanilla ice cream….throw some sprinkles and whip cream on that and make your room a flipping hot fudge sundae.

Now I am hungry for a hot fudge sundae

3.) Add layers

Repeat after me again…layers, layers and more layers.

Layers is very closely related to texture. A great way to get the layer look is with area rugs. Most people know that you can lay an area rug over hardwood floors….but you can lay an area rug over wall to wall carpet too. Yes, it is allowed.

And then layer a rug over that rug, Yep, that is what I said.

I have this faux cowhide rug saved in my cart but haven’t felt confident enough to actually purchase it yet. I have a dog that isn’t very bright and will either chew this rug or think it’s a long lost friend. But goodness, I really want this rug layered over my black and white striped rug.

Because I know it will look so good.

But since I can’t have my faux rug right now, I opted for a faux fur blanket for texture and to layer on the couch. I killed two birds with one stone on this one.

And no, the dog hasn’t become friends with the blanket yet.

4.) Add knitted blankets, throws and pillows

Knitted blankets and pillows scream cozy. It’s like wrapping yourself in a giant cozy sock..that hasn’t been worn and doesn’t smell like a stinky gym. Maybe I should say is like wrapping yourself in a cozy sweater instead. Anything knit immediately makes any room cozy.

5.) Add soft lighting and candles

Lighting has become one of my favorite accessories to decorate with lately. Table lamps, reading lamps, and candles can all make your room feel cozy and warm. Keep your overhead lights off and just use your table/floor lamps and candles. It instantly makes any room feel extra cozy and gives off the ambience that your room needs.

Lamp

6.) Add some leather

A few leather stools can warm up your space when it’s paired with other materials. You are not only adding another dose of natural textures but you are adding some warm tones to your space.

7.) Bring in warm colors and brass

Speaking of warming up your space, adding warm colors with pillows or brass accents can do the trick as well. I was hesitate to use those rust pillows in this space but once I stuck them on those chairs I knew it was meant to be.

Add in some warm wood tones with a console table or side table.

8.) Large coffee table

Adding a large coffee table or a large upholstered ottoman to your living room can make your space feel inviting and cozy. This coffee table used to be in our family room and before that it used to be my parent’s dining room table.

I cut the legs down and painted it many years ago and I cannot get myself to let go of this table. I was worried this table would be too big for this room but it’s perfect for in here and makes the best game table.

9.) Lots of seating

As I said earlier, this room was rarely ever used. I had a small settee in here and some random chairs. It wasn’t a comfy place to hang out. Now, with the two couches and extra chairs, this room has plenty of seating for us to lounge around in and hang out.

I also purposely grouped the furniture closer together. It created a more cohesive space. That probably doesn’t make sense so moving on.

10.) Books

I love decorating with books for many reasons. Some books are purely decorative and some I actually read. I’m a sucker for a good home decor book that is also pretty. Adding books to your room can add color and texture to your space. And for those that have time to actually read can cozy up and read a good book.

11.) Pillows!

How did I almost forget to add pillows to this list!! We all know pillows are my #1 decorating staple. You can never ever ever ever ever have too many pillows. No matter what your husband tells you. Don’t believe his lies. Pillows are amazing

I did a whole post on where to find affordable pillows here. I recently, WITH A SEWING MACHINE, just made the fawn pillow on my couch. I’m hoping to get a tutorial up soon but you know, #kids.

I snapped a few pictures as the sun was going down but didn’t get a chance to take too many because, you know, #kids. I’m sharing them here so I do not forget I took them.