Enjoy spending time indoors this winter by creating a cosy living room, even if your space is small or you’re on a budget.
Those clever Danes know a thing or two about making the best of winter. It could be argued that hygge is Denmark’s greatest export.
Pronounced ‘hoo-ga’, hygge translates loosely as cosiness. It is better defined as more like the feeling you experience in that moment when you sink into a warm bath or take the first sip of your favourite tea.
“Scandinavian countries consistently have the best standards of living,”says Justine Wilson, director and principal stylist at Vault Interiors. “Embracing the concept of hygge is one part of how they do that.”
So why not make like a Dane and hygge your living space? Staying in takes on an irresistible appeal when your home’s living areas are snug and comfy.
The good news is that we’ve got four easy cosy living room ideas, even in a small space and on a budget.
Use textured accessories to create a warm ambience
The simplest way to make your living room cosy on a budget is to start by introducing some inexpensive accessories. Cushions, throws and candles are step one in creating a toasty ambience.
“I’m drawn to textures to give me the cosy feeling rather than colours,” says Melbourne interior designer Camilla Molders. “For example, a cool colour can still be cosy if it’s on a velvet cushion, it becomes richer and more luxurious.”
Colour forecasters are gushing over blush as a must-have winter colour trend. Embrace this pretty pastel in the form of velvet cushions teamed with a tasseled throw for an easy way to create warmth in your living room.
Use lamps at eye level for a warm glow
Use lamps to cast your living room in a cosy light, advises Camilla. “Light your space at eye level rather than using stark overhead lights. In my own home I rarely turn the main lights on; everything looks and feels more inviting by lamp light.”
Lamps that feature natural materials including warm woods, muted metals and concrete can be used in any home setting. Achieve this effect by always opting for warm-white globes rather than those that throw a cold, blue-ish light.
Paint your walls with cosy colours in just one day
It may seem like a hassle, but by choosing a cosy living room colour to paint your walls, you can achieve a warm glow in just one day.
Stick to a feature wall and one litre of paint for a budget-friendly under $50. A warm grey is the safe choice for a cosy living room wall but this season’s hottest colours include the soothing ochre tones of Dulux Mid Tan, a magical teal/grey from Wattyl, called Paper Dragon and the warm neutral hues of Bristol Morning Glow.
Australia is hitting peak hygge season now but pundits say the next big movement to come out of Scandinavia is lagom, which translates roughly as ‘not too little, not too much’— it’s a beautiful new approach to minimalism.
If you don’t have a fireplace, try creating a similar ambience using your TV
Every living room needs a focal point, and in many older homes, it is the fireplace. But not everyone has the space, budget or inclination to have a fire.
When you think about it, our televisions act similarly to a fire anyway – we gather around them, they relax us and emanate a transfixing, flickering light. They’re often the focal point of a living space in modern homes.
#HisenseHack: You can play looped high-definition footage of a crackling fire on your 4K ULED TV screen using Netflix. Surprisingly, it is incredibly relaxing to sit by this fake fire and listen to the soft crackling on the flames.
To find the best TV for your new cosy living room, check out what Hisense has to offer.
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