See How to Create a Warm Living Room
Creating and enjoying a warm living room doesn’t have to be relegated to fall and winter months. When I painted my family room a dark gray, I feared I wouldn’t like it during the summer months. Surprisingly, the dark room felt like a cool cave during the heat of July and August. See today’s collection of living rooms and be inspired to add a little warmth to your own interior space.
Photo by Laura Moss Photography
Most of us don’t have log walls and a stacked stone fireplace, but the living room above shows other ways to add cozy appeal. Leather furniture pairs with a patterned rug and chairs to create an inviting space that warms the heart.
Rooms don’t have to be dark to feel warm, either. Here, creamy walls set the stage for dark gray sofas and a rug with a high pile. A few wooden ceiling beams complete the look.
Early American style always looks warm and intimate due to the paint colors that were used during that period of time. Deep red paint surrounds the fireplace and is repeated on the window trim. Antiques are always a sure bet for adding warmth and interest to any space.
Photo by Griffiths Construction, Inc.
A snug family room wears a shade of deep navy blue on the walls. Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore is a great choice of paint color to get this look. Choose a piece of leather furniture to add texture that helps institute a warm living room. A textured rug is another smart choice.
It’s easy for an expansive, two-story space to feel cold and sterile if not properly decorated. Dark gray pairs with warm wood in this living room with a loft. A dark paint color helps to lower the feel of a high ceiling.
Consider adding paneling, shiplap, or some other type of treatment to walls and ceilings. Bead board and board and batten are fairly easy to install and won’t break the bank. You can stain the wood or paint it with your color of choice.
Although this warm living room has white walls and trim, it doesn’t feel cold due to the rich wood floors and leather furniture. If you don’t have wood floors and can’t afford to have them installed, consider adding patterned rug to create a warm living room. Don’t hesitate to layer the rug over carpeting. It can help define a conversation area and it’s a good way to cover up permanent carpet stains.
Don’t have a fireplace? Add a wood-burning stove. You can find less expensive, electric options, too.
If you have natural wood trim in your home – lucky you! My trim has layers of paint and I’d love to strip it down to bare wood but I’m simply not that ambitious. And don’t feel like you can’t have contemporary furniture in a warm living room. The wood and dark walls keep this room snug as a bug with a more modern couch, coffee table, and light fixture.
Do you like a warm living room, or do you prefer cooler tones and aesthetics in your home?
And before I go – congratulations to Valerie who won a copy of the book, Creative Style! Valerie, check your email for details.
I love these and warm woods really help a dark room look cozier. I have a room with dark gray walls and it really brings out the wood tones in the cozy room.