5 Cosy On-Trend Living Room Ideas for Autumn 2023

By Maz Pickering

22nd Sep 2023

Living room with pink walls, velvet sofa and work desk

As the days get shorter and the weather gets chillier, staying in and relaxing in front of the TV becomes much more appealing. And when you’re spending more time here, the more your thoughts may turn to how can you update this room and make it even cosier. Maybe even thinking so far ahead as, dare we say, the festive season?

Living rooms have often been an entertaining and socialising area, looking nice and functioning as required but not necessarily reflecting personal tastes. With recent interior trends from nature-inspired florals to intense moody tones, there is an aesthetic for everyone. Whether you’re an avid trend-follower or prefer to forge your own style, here are some ideas to inspire you to create a cosy, living space that fits you perfectly.

Embracing Colour

Marketta corner desk with walnut wood and slate grey accents

Our Marketta L-Shaped Desk is a gorgeous blend of rich Walnut and Slate Grey accents, which pairs beautifully with any colour theme. Need we say more?

This year has been all about embracing colour in our interior design choices. Rather than sticking to safe neutrals like off-whites, greys, and beige (or the aptly named greige), we’ve seen braver colour choices like Barbie pinks and deep jewel tones.

While some may worry that darker hues might make a room feel enclosed, others find it cosy and cocoon-like. Consider chocolate brown, terracotta, or even near-black charcoals for adding depth to your living room. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can try the colour drenching trend as explained by Farrow & Ball.

For a softer touch, consider a grown-up dusky pink like Dulux 2024 Colour of the Year, Sweet Embrace. A calming hue that uplifts any room with warm, delicate tones. And don’t worry about pink limiting your choices, it can be paired with a variety of colours and textures. For example, we love a dusky pink paired with pumpkin orange furnishings and Industrial-style pieces, like from our Hygge range.

Related : Hygge Heroes

Update Soft Furnishings

Velvet and boucle have been the recent buzzwords when looking for a new sofa or chair. Investing in a sofa can be daunting, especially if you’re considering a bold style choice. I mean, how many of us know for sure that we want to commit to a bright green velvet sofa?

Something as simple as changing your furnishings can bring hints of these popular designs to your home without the big commitment (or cost). Try swapping cushion covers in a new colour or quirky pattern to add a pop of interest to your room. A throw or blanket can reinvigorate a well-loved sofa.

Another trend to consider is layering rugs. If one rug can transform a living room, imagine what two or three can do! There are no strict rules when it comes to layering rugs. You could place a smaller, similarly shaped rug on top of another, or mix textures by layering a shaggy rug on top of a low pile rug for texture contrast.

Multi-Functional Lounges

As many of us have been spending more time at home in recent years, it makes sense that our rooms are having to work harder and serve multiple purposes. The living room is no exception.

With Halloween and Christmas around the corner, there’s no better time to set up an Arts and Crafts Station to start all your seasonal creative projects.

Or set up the ultimate home office workspace or give your existing one an update. Look to incorporate helpful storage pieces, such as Wall-Mounted Shelving or Grid Mesh Panels, so you have a space that is both stylish and functional.

If you’re after a cohesive look, tie in matching furniture styles or elements from the main living room to bring everything together. Or you can create a defined workspace or area by using colours to segment different zones.

Industrial style Hygge Bench Desk with oak and black metal detailing

With plenty of space for your work essentials and a sharp look, our Hygge Bench Desk with a Top Shelf has both style and substance.

Related : Office Chic

Add Art and Wall Decoration

Glass wall mounted shelving with silver accents and decorative pieces

An easy way to refresh your living room is to add some decorations to the walls, which is a great opportunity to brush up on your artistic skills and create your own artwork to give your living space a more personal touch. Even if you don’t consider yourself an artist, you can still design interesting wall décor by using some leftover paint (meaning nothing goes to waste) to make block colour paintings.

Or add statement prints with vibrant colours and eccentric patterns to your walls for a more subtle nod to the maximalism trend.

Floating shelves or Wall-Mounted Shelving can be used as a storage system and a decorative feature. Think curated, mini home libraries or layering of houseplants for a touch of nature.

Incorporating shelving onto your walls instead of standing storage has the added benefit of freeing up floor space, which could be used to rearrange your existing furniture or simply add to the feeling of space.

Adding Glass Wall Shelving brings a contemporary update to any room.

Metallic Accents

Brass and gold hues have been the go-to when using metallics recently but silver and steel accents are having a resurgence. Don’t worry about having to change any metallic details you have though. Mixing metals is a recent quirky trend for adding an eclectic look in your home.

Chrome shelving is great for adding no-fuss storage to your living room and the silver tone is perfectly on-trend. Pair with plush furnishings, like velvet cushions or faux-fur rugs or use with natural pieces and deep, earthy tones for a stylish contrast.

Chrome Wire Shelving has a minimalist look and is great for adding storage space.