Best of the Week: 30 Lovely Living Rooms
Come on, baby, light my fire. These living areas will have you warming up your living room just in time for winter
Joanna Tovia
23 May 2018
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well. Follow her photodocumentary about pets and the people who love them on Instagram @unfoldingtails
Houzz editorial team. Photojournalist specialising in design, travel and living well.... More
You don’t need to overhaul your whole house to make it feel warm and welcoming this winter. A few tweaks to your living room could be all it takes – and some good heating, of course. Take a hint or two from these luscious living areas and then set your warming plans in motion.
1. Location: Breakfast Point, NSW
Why we love it: A chunky knit has winter written all over it.
Why we love it: A chunky knit has winter written all over it.
2. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Grey is as in as ever, but a splash of orange warms up a room no end.
Why we love it: Grey is as in as ever, but a splash of orange warms up a room no end.
3. Location: Brooklyn, USA
Why we love it: This all-white converted warehouse can look bright and breezy in summer, but a sofa laden with texture-rich cushions takes it from cool to cosy in winter.
Why we love it: This all-white converted warehouse can look bright and breezy in summer, but a sofa laden with texture-rich cushions takes it from cool to cosy in winter.
4. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Why we love it: Dark walls call for stay-at-home evenings of comfort and no doubt plenty of joy.
Why we love it: Dark walls call for stay-at-home evenings of comfort and no doubt plenty of joy.
5. Location: Paris, France
Why we love it: If you can’t bring yourself to paint the whole room a deep colour, start with a feature wall. Pops of sunshiny yellow give this living area a dose of happy.
Why we love it: If you can’t bring yourself to paint the whole room a deep colour, start with a feature wall. Pops of sunshiny yellow give this living area a dose of happy.
6. Location: Glen Iris, Victoria
Why we love it: Those lucky enough to have a north-facing window seat have the perfect winter reading nook. Add cushions that do more than just decorate for maximum laze-about comfort.
Why we love it: Those lucky enough to have a north-facing window seat have the perfect winter reading nook. Add cushions that do more than just decorate for maximum laze-about comfort.
7. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Hard flooring makes sense for modern living, but carpet in a living area can cosy things up. This sunken lounge area has won us over.
Why we love it: Hard flooring makes sense for modern living, but carpet in a living area can cosy things up. This sunken lounge area has won us over.
8. Location: Wiltshire, UK
Why we love it: Don’t rule out evenings outdoors just because it’s a little chilly. A fire pit and plenty of blankets make for a fun get-together with friends.
Why we love it: Don’t rule out evenings outdoors just because it’s a little chilly. A fire pit and plenty of blankets make for a fun get-together with friends.
9. Location: Auckland, New Zealand
Why we love it: Timber has a knack of being able to make any room in the house warm and welcoming.
Why we love it: Timber has a knack of being able to make any room in the house warm and welcoming.
10. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Luscious shades of gold, green and blue work together harmoniously in this living room – light the fire or add mood lighting for colours to become even more vibrant.
Why we love it: Luscious shades of gold, green and blue work together harmoniously in this living room – light the fire or add mood lighting for colours to become even more vibrant.
11. Location: Vancouver, Canada
Why we love it: Like the previous room, this living space uses colour to its advantage, in this case red. At night, the glow of the lamps would bring the ruby tones to life.
Why we love it: Like the previous room, this living space uses colour to its advantage, in this case red. At night, the glow of the lamps would bring the ruby tones to life.
12. Location: Maitland, NSW
Why we love it: There’s no need to master the art of the drape when you can hang your throw rugs on a rack when they’re not in use.
Why we love it: There’s no need to master the art of the drape when you can hang your throw rugs on a rack when they’re not in use.
13. Location: Seattle, USA
Why we love it: Rich reds and layers of texture make this living area ready for hibernating.
Why we love it: Rich reds and layers of texture make this living area ready for hibernating.
14. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Why we love it: Long Swedish winters call for windows that let in maximum light. Big, warm, fluffy rugs are a must, however.
Why we love it: Long Swedish winters call for windows that let in maximum light. Big, warm, fluffy rugs are a must, however.
15. Location: Denver, USA
Why we love it: A conversation nook by the fire. What’s not to love?
Why we love it: A conversation nook by the fire. What’s not to love?
16. Location: Hawaii, USA
Why we love it: It’s the details that often make a good room great. In winter, lighting candles (or switching on electronic candle-lights if fire is a concern) brings a magical quality to any room when it’s cold and dark outside.
Why we love it: It’s the details that often make a good room great. In winter, lighting candles (or switching on electronic candle-lights if fire is a concern) brings a magical quality to any room when it’s cold and dark outside.
17. Location: Toronto, Canada
Why we love it: Velvet is instantly warming – whether in curtains, furniture or accessories. A thick floor rug, meanwhile, is both insulating and inviting.
Why we love it: Velvet is instantly warming – whether in curtains, furniture or accessories. A thick floor rug, meanwhile, is both insulating and inviting.
18. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: Not one sumptuous sofa, but two! There’s room for everyone to indulge in a Netflix binge together.
Why we love it: Not one sumptuous sofa, but two! There’s room for everyone to indulge in a Netflix binge together.
19. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Whether fuelled by gas or wood, a fireplace that pumps out actual heat rather than being merely decorative is worth pursuing.
Why we love it: Whether fuelled by gas or wood, a fireplace that pumps out actual heat rather than being merely decorative is worth pursuing.
20. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: A pop-out window seat that lets the sun shine in from above could be the answer if you dread the onset of winter.
Why we love it: A pop-out window seat that lets the sun shine in from above could be the answer if you dread the onset of winter.
21. Location: London, UK
Why we love it: The smaller a living area, the cosier it can be – especially when fluffy accessories and books are part of the picture.
Why we love it: The smaller a living area, the cosier it can be – especially when fluffy accessories and books are part of the picture.
22. Location: Portland, USA
Why we love it: Shelves packed with great reading material make for a more intimate space.
Why we love it: Shelves packed with great reading material make for a more intimate space.
23. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: If you’re wondering what size rug to buy, let this living area be your inspiration. The bigger the better if warming up a room is your aim.
Why we love it: If you’re wondering what size rug to buy, let this living area be your inspiration. The bigger the better if warming up a room is your aim.
24. Location: Melbourne, Victoria
Why we love it: Concrete is cool, but the orange artworks stop it from being too cold.
Why we love it: Concrete is cool, but the orange artworks stop it from being too cold.
25. Location: Boston, USA
Why we love it: A prime example of colour adding character to a neutral backdrop. The ideal way to add cheer on gloomy winter days.
Why we love it: A prime example of colour adding character to a neutral backdrop. The ideal way to add cheer on gloomy winter days.
26. Location: Aberdeen City, UK
Why we love it: Minimalism has its place, but well-chosen objets d’art can make a room extra loveable.
Why we love it: Minimalism has its place, but well-chosen objets d’art can make a room extra loveable.
27. Location: New York, USA
Why we love it: Next time you’re in the market for a sofa, think outside the square. Neutrals are nice but navy can be even nicer, in the cooler months especially. In summer, throw white covers over the sofas for a coastal feel.
Why we love it: Next time you’re in the market for a sofa, think outside the square. Neutrals are nice but navy can be even nicer, in the cooler months especially. In summer, throw white covers over the sofas for a coastal feel.
28. Location: Gothenburg, Sweden
Why we love it: A rug can be the star of the room if you choose wisely – the colours in this one work for all seasons, but it’s heaven underfoot in winter.
Why we love it: A rug can be the star of the room if you choose wisely – the colours in this one work for all seasons, but it’s heaven underfoot in winter.
29. Location: Austin, USA
Why we love it: Firewood adds charm to any room – whether you burn it in a fireplace or stove, or just leave it as a decoration.
Why we love it: Firewood adds charm to any room – whether you burn it in a fireplace or stove, or just leave it as a decoration.
30. Location: Minneapolis, USA
Why we love it: Colour isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but in an all-white room it pays to soften the space with soft furnishings and texture-rich accessories.
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Why we love it: Colour isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but in an all-white room it pays to soften the space with soft furnishings and texture-rich accessories.
Tell us
If you enjoyed this story, like it, save it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation.
More
Browse interior designers and decorators on Houzz
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No. 9 is beauuuuuuuutiful. And 18 is my sofa heaven!
I love no.13 with its lovely textures and red
1, 10 and 26 <3 love that cosy, moody look