When the weather turns and evenings draw in, a cosy living room becomes less of a luxury and more of a necessity. The good news? You don’t need a full makeover to get that warm, welcoming feel. With a few thoughtful tweaks—texture, layout, light and a couple of well-chosen furniture pieces—you can turn the room you have into the room you love to linger in.

Start With the Layout (and Your Best Seat)

Cosiness is as much about how a room flows as what’s in it. Pull furniture slightly off the walls to create an intimate seating zone. Angle an armchair towards the sofa to encourage conversation. If you have a coffee table, keep the “reach radius” comfortable—about 40–45cm from seating—so books, mugs and remotes are easy to grab without stretching. A simple switch like this immediately feels more considered, and therefore more relaxing.

Choose Soft, Sink-in Seating

If your sofa or armchair is where you unwind, make sure it actually invites you to do that. Deep cushions, supportive arms and tactile upholstery all help. If replacing a piece is on the cards, think about proportions first: a compact two-seater for smaller rooms, or a generous corner configuration if you host often. The goal is a shape that supports movie nights as happily as a quick coffee with friends.

You can browse core pieces in our Living Room collection—think sofas, armchairs, sideboards, coffee tables and more—to anchor the space and build from there.

Layer Textures for instant Warmth

Texture is what takes a room from “nice” to “cosy”. Swap out shiny or flat fabrics for something with a bit of depth: boucle, chenille, wool blends or a soft brushed weave. Mix a couple of different cushion textures on the sofa, then add a throw with a contrasting feel—smooth over nubbly, or chunky knit over velvet. If you already own pieces you love, rotate them seasonally so the room evolves with the weather.

Warm Up The Palette (Without Repainting)

You don’t need a new wall colour to change the mood. A few clever accents can tilt the whole room warmer. Think earthy tones—terracotta, tobacco, olive, rust, oat—picked up in cushions, artwork, or the finish of a wood piece. If your room runs cool (lots of grey or blue), introduce a couple of warm-toned timbers or antique brass accents to rebalance it.

Light the Room in Layers

Harsh, single-source lighting kills cosiness fast. Aim for three gentle layers:

Ambient: your general glow (dimmer if possible).

Task: a reading lamp by the sofa or armchair.

Accent: a soft pool of light on a sideboard or bookcase.

If you can, move your brightest fitting to a dimmable bulb and switch any stark white bulbs to warm white. Candles (real or LED) are a simple finishing touch when you want that “evening exhale” feeling.

Add Natural Materials for Calm

Wood instantly brings warmth and character. A solid coffee table, a sideboard with visible grain or a simple wooden TV unit grounds modern schemes and pairs beautifully with softer textiles. If you already have a lot of sleek finishes (glass, metal, lacquer), even one substantial timber piece can change the tone of the room.

Style the Surfaces (But Don’t Clutter)

Cosy doesn’t mean crowded. Edit your coffee table to a few purposeful layers: something vertical (a small vase or sculptural object), something flat (a tray or a favourite book), and a lived-in touch (coasters, a candle). The same idea works on sideboards and shelves. Leave negative space—it lets the pieces you do display breathe, which reads as calm.

Bring Life In With Greenery

A little green goes a long way. Place a floor plant in a dull corner or a trailing plant on a bookcase to soften edges and introduce movement. If maintenance isn’t your thing, choose hardy varieties (or realistic faux) to keep the look without the labour.

Make It Personal

The cosiest rooms feel collected, not copied. Frame a couple of photos in matching finishes, stack the novels you’re actually reading on the coffee table, or lean an artwork on a sideboard rather than hanging everything. Small, personal choices signal that this is a room to live in—not just look at.

Budget-Friendly Switches That Work

Swap cushion covers rather than buying new inserts—instant texture and colour shift.

Add a throw to the arm of a sofa or chair for an inviting, layered look.

Rehome a lamp from another room to create a softer corner.

Group what you already own: books, a tray, a candle and a small plant can become a styled moment.

Rearrange the layout for a conversation circle—free and surprisingly transformative.

The Finishing Touch: Comfort You Can Feel

Ultimately, cosiness is tactile. It’s the weight of a good throw, the give of a cushion, the way wood feels warm under your hand. Start with a layout that invites you to sit, choose one or two quality furniture pieces to anchor the room, then build gentle layers of light and texture around them. The effect is cumulative—and you’ll notice it the moment you sink into your favourite spot.