Home Decorating: Create a Perfectly Casual, Cozy Living Room

Creating a comfortable, stylish living room provides a gathering place for you and your family to relax and spend quality time together. It's important to create the look and feel that evokes your lifestyle and invites friends and family to enjoy their time being together.

If you're interested in a room that welcomes everyone who enters in comfort and style, the right furnishings will help. No matter what size room you have, you can make it as cozy as you want with a few tips:

Evaluate Your Space and Colors

Even a large space can feel inviting and cozy. The addition of large furnishings can fill a big space and add a feeling of intimacy to your room. A small room can also accommodate large pieces of furniture in an inviting arrangement. Think about the existing colors of your walls and decide whether you want to work with what you have or start with a new coat of paint. Decide on the color that suits your taste and go from there coordinating your furnishings and accessories. Remember that warm colors convey a stronger sense of coziness and comfort.

Add Big, Comfortable Furniture

To heighten the cozy, lived-in atmosphere, add overstuffed chairs, ottomans, and perhaps two sofas facing each other, or a well-designed sectional to provide numerous comfortable places to sit and relax, read a book, watch TV or visit with guests and family members in an atmosphere of comfort and style. Adding a snuggly throw over the back of the sofa is a great touch for added comfort. The addition of a tall cabinet or armoire will also enhance the ambiance of the room.

Create Various Sections in a Large Room

You can add areas for entertaining, informal eating, and activities such as arts and crafts or game playing if you have a large area to fill. In addition to your primary sitting space, place a group of upholstered or comfy chairs around a round table, add a long farm table and bench near a window, or place a side table with two comfortable chairs on each side in a great little spot. A variety of places to sit, work, or relax adds depth and dimension to any room.

Consider Your Lighting

The softer your lighting, the warmer and more inviting your room will feel. Use table lamps or pole lamps for extra lighting that won't cast harsh shadows. Bring your center light down to a lower level with a nice shade that coordinates with your upholstery. The key is to avoid harsh lighting of any kind. Adding dimmer switches to easily adjust your lighting as the time of day changes is also a great idea to create a soft welcoming light in your room.

Add Rugs Regardless of Your Flooring

Regardless of your flooring materials, whether carpet, hardwood, or tile, adding area rugs in key places brings a feeling of welcoming warmth. Choose patterns, colors and textures that complement your furnishings and bring the added touch of comfort to your room. Use various styles in each area you create - they don't have to be identical. Just coordinate the colors and styles.

Creating the ambiance you desire in any room in your home is easy with the right furniture, lighting and accessories. Take into consideration your space, your color scheme, and the placement of your furniture to create just the right sense of coziness that makes you feel comfortable. Once that happens, all that's left is to enjoy your space with your friends and family.