The living room is one of those places that we like to feel safe, warm and cosy – the rustic style lends itself to this perfectly. Of course, rustic furniture will help set a theme but there are many other little things you can do to bring in a warm and cosy feeling as the nights get longer and colder.
The walls and ceiling
Make the most of any features you may already have in the room. Accentuate ceiling beams with clever lighting. If you have an alcove area by a fireplace then consider a rustic bookcase for your book collection or simply use it for showing off your favourite decorative pieces. Wooden wall cladding is also an option, you can go halfway up the wall all fill the entire walls – natural wood is always a good bet to warm up the room.
The floor
Rugs are the way to go if you want to cosy up a floor! Have a go at layering rugs on a wood or stone floor – not only will this bring in extra insulation but it looks great too. Start off with a large plain floor rug – a natural jute rug is perfect for this and then add one or more smaller rugs over the top. You can also use rugs in this way to zone your room and draw the eye to any features you want to highlight.
The fireplace
A fireplace is undoubtedly one of the most warming and cosy features you can have in a living room – make it a standout feature! If you are lucky enough to have an open fireplace then dress it up – paint the chimney breast a bolder colour or clad it in stone. Stand a basket of logs near it and of course put a rug in front of it – add one or two fabric armchairs to the sides for an instant cosy feel when you enter the room. If you prefer not to have an open fire in your house then consider a wood burner with a glass door and if that doesn’t work for you maybe an electric one will – there are so many choices out there now!
The furniture
Think about rearranging the furniture in your room to make it more cosy by pulling the leather couch up closer to the fireplace. Warm up a tan leather sofa with a selection of scatter cushions and throws, use warm colours like orange, red and burgundy in heavier fabrics like corduroy, tweed, velvet, wool and faux fur. A rustic TV stand, coffee table or wooden sideboard that has been produced from reclaimed wood will bring another homely and earthy element to the room.
The finishing touches
Dim lighting is another quick trick to creating a cosy room. If you don’t have dimmer switches then bring in a floor or table lamp. Fairy lights around pictures or mirrors are soothing and flickering candlelight is also an option. As we are talking about the senses you can also consider scented candles or use a diffuser to bring in a cosy autumnal or winter scent.
What do you add to give your living room a cosy feel for autumn? Leave a comment below and share your ideas.