Mike Johnston Living rooms are meant to be a retreat within your home. A place where you can curl up at the end of a hard day. A room to gather with friends and family. A space to call your own. Finding the perfect balance between cozy and stress-free can be challenging. We tend to think of cozy rooms as a place where you’re surrounded, whereas a stress-free room invokes images of a clutter-free existence. Fortunately, you can have it all. Here are some easy decor tricks to help you achieve a cozy and stress-free living room.
Take a minimalist approach
There’s a misconception that minimalism means having a sterile, unwelcoming space. While that’s one version of minimalism, it’s more about everything in a room being chosen with intent and creating an ideal flow.
First, consider the scale of your furniture in comparison to the room. If you have a small living room, having smaller, sleeker furniture can open up space. Rather than having sofas and chairs that rest flush against the floor, consider adding legs to elevate the furniture and allow air to flow through.
Use a floor planner to determine the best living room layout, creating separation for different spaces as needed. Remember that furniture doesn’t always need to be up against the wall; adding a narrow table behind a couch can improve the room’s flow while creating functional surfaces for beverages, books, and displays.
Incorporate natural elements
Humans are innately connected to nature. Bringing natural elements into your home decor can create a sense of calm and belonging that adds to the coziness of your home without adding clutter.
Indoor plants are one of the most manageable natural elements to incorporate into your decor. Bring your living room to life with a bouquet of tropical flowers for a pop of color that looks amazing against a neutral backdrop.
You can also get some low-maintenance leafy plants, like the snake plant or dracaena. Adding stone candle holders and natural wood elements also add a nice touch when reconnecting with nature to create a stress-free living room.
Rely on cozy textiles
What is more cozy and stress-free than an assortment of blankets and pillows? Add a few layers of lush throw blankets to your furniture, or keep them stored neatly with a blanket basket or ladder. Using throw pillows is a great way to make the space relaxing while creating versatility for seasonal decor.
Don’t neglect the window treatments when considering your textiles. Sheer white curtains create a calm, breezy environment in the warmer months, while thicker fabrics create a sense of warmth during the winter.
Create lighting options
Your living room should have more than one lighting option. Ideally, you’ll be able to influence the tone of the room by the lights you use. Consider having a bright overhead light for cleaning and getting things done, as well as a few warm, dim lamps for a soothing atmosphere.
Create clutter-free storage options
Keeping your living room clutter-free can be a challenge, especially if you have kids. As this is the area where people gather, it tends to collect more clutter than other rooms. Incorporate storage options into your decor. Baskets can be placed on shelves to hide toys, and decorative boxes are great for storing wires and electronics. You can also create rules about leaving things in the living room; remember to follow the rules yourself!
Display joy-inducing photos and art
Don’t feel compelled to display imagery based on decor trends and what you think you should do. Instead, display art and photos that bring you joy. If you prefer comic book splash pages over “live, laugh, love” signs, put them on the wall— this is your home! It’s also worth noting that if you’re someone who doesn’t like displaying art and photos, and prefers the clean feeling of a blank wall, choose that instead.
Creating a cozy and stress-free living room means blending your personal style with a clutter-free layout. Add comfortable elements to convey warmth and welcoming, and you’ll have the living room of your dreams.
