Christmas may have come and gone but winter is here to stay for a while longer. If you haven’t yet done so, now is the time to give your living spaces a mini makeover to make them more comfortable during the coldest months of the year. While the living room is without a doubt one of the most important rooms in the home when it comes to entertaining and spending time with family, it is often also the first to feel cold and bare during winter. Here are a few things you can do to make your living room cozier when it’s frosty out.
Bring Out the Blankets
Blankets are probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think about making your living room cozier during winter, and with very good reason. Blankets are versatile and budget-friendly and can add warmth and character to every room in the house. In your living room, you can drape your fleece, fur, or wool throws over the backs of your couches or simply pile them on an empty chair and fill a basket or trunk with your favorites to ensure they are nearby when you need them most. Snuggling up under a warm mink blanket will not only warm you up but can also help ward off seasonal affective disorder which leaves thousands of people feeling increasingly ‘blue’ during winter every year.
Make Your Lighting Softer
During winter, our homes automatically become a lot darker as less natural light enters through windows and doors. You can turn your living room into a warm oasis simply by adding more light and softening it. One of the easiest ways to do this is by swapping out your regular light bulbs for LEDs. LED light bulbs are available in a multitude of different tones, including soft, warm ones that will add a beautiful glow to your room. You can also soften your light by using lampshades in a darker color or thicker material. If you really want to boost the ambiance of your living room, create pretty layers of light with tea light candles, lamps, and even strings of fairy lights.
Make a Cozy Fire
If you are fortunate enough to have a fireplace in your living room, making a fire when it’s cold should be a no-brainer. There is, after all, no better way to invite warmth and comfort into your home than with a fire. While a fireplace is a huge blessing, it is important to ensure it is well-maintained throughout the year. Also, remember to give both your fireplace and chimney a good clean before the cold weather sets in. If you have an outdoor space adjacent to the living room that you still utilize during winter, consider installing a fire pit surrounded by a few comfy couches. You can also utilize fire on a much smaller scale to make your living room cozier by grouping candles together and placing them in strategic places around the room.
The living room is one of the most used rooms in a house. Luckily, it is also one of the easiest rooms to turn into a warm and cozy haven during the coldest months of the year.