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Interior Design tips for a cosy living room this winter

This year we have spent more time than ever in our homes so, as an interior designer and paint colour consultant, I’m here to help you create a feeling of warmth and comfort in your living room. With the dark, cold evenings drawing in, it’s a great time to turn your living room into the perfect space to cosy up this winter!

Paint colour

As a paint colour consultant, I can tell you that paint is one of the most effective ways to instantly transform a space. The living room is where we go to relax in the evening so it’s the perfect room to be a little braver in your colour choice. Why not consider a deep navy like Peacock Blue from Colourtrend Historic Collection? If you prefer a more earthy tone, Sweet Caper from the Contemporary Collection is a beautiful green with a warm undertone. 

One of the basic rules of interior design is to always use an accent colour in your accessories and soft furnishings to create a harmonious and balanced colour scheme. Mustard or orange would add drama to either of these colour schemes, or for a more subtle pallet, try introducing nude and dusky pink tones.

Lighting

Every interior designer will tell you the importance of lighting in creating a warm, relaxing feeling in the room. Avoid harsh, bright, overhead lighting and use warm white, low watt bulbs and dimmer switches where possible to create a softer ambiance. A dimmable floor lamp is the perfect solution as the light can be adjusted as necessary. 

Candles are also very effective in creating soft light and a sense of warmth. Even if you don’t have an open fire in your home, by grouping together different sized candles on a coffee table or side table you can still create a warm feature. Scent can also help create a homely feel so don’t forget to include some scented candles which evoke warm, winter feelings. 

Accessories

Another important rule of interior design is to always add colour and texture in your accessories to add feeling and warmth to the room. Cushions, throws and rugs not only soften the feel of the room but are a practical choice for evenings spent snuggling on the sofa. Mix textures and add a pop of colour or pattern to brighten the mood of the room during dark winter days. Velvet is very on trend this season and gives a feeling of luxury and warmth. 

Furniture

If you’re ready to treat yourself by making a bigger investment in a new piece of furniture, velvet sofas are huge right now. Beautiful, classic pieces in striking shades like bottle green and teal blue look stunning in a living room paired with a neutral, muted wall colour. To complete the look try adding some brass in a pendant light or side table to achieve a sophisticated, elegant look.

Anita x