While it’s true that spring is on the horizon, most of the country will benefit from a warm and snuggly living room for months to come. That’s certainly true for those of us in the Bay Area. Modern and transitional designs often need a little boost in that direction since the tenets of these design principles can lead to cooler design motifs.
8 Ways to Make Your Living Room and Little Warmer
The following items can help to soften the edges and add warmth and comfort to your living room space. Don’t forget you can always consult with a professional interior designer to get a few extra ideas or to provide approval of your design ideas.
- Add a fireplace. If your home wasn’t built with a fireplace, you may want to look into a modern fireplace insert. Fireplaces have long been the heart of the home and while the kitchen may have transcended that in some ways, it’s hard to pull yourself away from a beautifully lit fire. Modern inserts are easy to install and an efficient way to add warmth and ambiance to your room.
- An abundance of throws. Have at least one or two throw blankets at the ready. With the simple addition of a chest or an ottoman that includes storage you can house an abundance of soft, colorful throws that can be changed from season to season.
- Implement natural wood finishes. Natural wood finishes add instant aesthetic warmth. This home was created from an old fire house. What could have been a cold and austere interior, due to exceptionally high ceilings and open living space, is instantly warmed with the addition of natural wood.
- Make a slight change in color. Did you know there are warm whites and cool whites? Warm whites have undertones of yellow or pink – just enough to add a warmer element to its finished appearance. Other whites have blue, green or gray undertones, which add a cool aesthetic. Revisit paint samples and see if your walls couldn’t be warmed up with a slightly warmer shade of the same color.
- Change your window coverings. Windows are a major source of heat loss in the home, regardless of how efficient they are. They just can’t compete with solid, well-insulated walls when it comes to keeping the heat in. Use honeycomb blinds for extra insulation and consider using drapes made from a heavier material to prevent heat loss.
- Throw a slip cover on your leather couch. Leather couches are gorgeous but they can also be quite cool to the touch. Consider adding a stylish slip cover on your leather couch during the coolest months so it will feel softer and warmer when you first sit down.
- Go natural with your design. Over-designing is often the biggest mistake homeowners can make. In an effort to get that magazine-worthy look, you can mistakenly design a room or home that nobody feels comfortable in. Yikes! To prevent this, make sure there are elements of home occupants’ personalities in the space. Shy away from entire furniture sets that have that matchy-matchy feel and find ways to incorporate family heirlooms, antiques and the occasional kitschy piece you love anyway. These simple additions can ensure your well-decorated space balances the Wow! factor with homey comfort that welcomes your guests.
- Throw another area rug on the floor. Hard surface floors can be absolutely freezing on bare or socked feet. Use area rugs alone or in layers for a fresh look and extra warmth.