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How to style your living room for autumn/winter
Top tips from our Style and Interiors Director...
A functional and stylish living room contains all the essentials that automatically come to mind: a sofa, a carpet a coffee table and lighting.
While your living room staples may stay the same over the years, with most of us keeping the same furniture for a while, there's no reason why you can't create a new and fresh take on your living room as the seasons change. A sofa can be easily jazzed up with a throw, while a coffee table can benefit from a set of coffee table books showcased on rotation.
As we move into autumn/winter and the weather gets darker and gloomier, sprucing up your living room can help brighten up your space. After all, you'll be spending a lot of time in it as the weather changes, so it's best to ensure you create a comfortable and stylish haven to relax and enjoy spending time in.
Whether you're looking for little pick-me-ups like buying new cushions, want to adapt your colour scheme to emulate autumn/winter vibes or are in the market for replacing an investment piece like a sofa, there are plenty of style choices you can make to adapt your room for the upcoming season - beyond simply hanging an autumn wreath on the front door.
If you're not sure where to start and need inspiration from an expert, we spoke to Good Housekeeping's Style and Interiors Director, Sarah Keady, for her tops tips on autumn/winter living room decorating. Here's what she told us...
Mix textures
"Keep your sofa tactile by mixing different textures together like smooth velvets and fluffy sheepskin rugs," says Sarah Keady. "Additionally, adding smart boucle and coarse linens will look and feel more inviting.”
Invest in a good-quality sofa
"A sofa is an investment piece that needs to stand the test of time, like the GH 100 Sofa with DFS" explains Sarah. "However, you can be playful by layering new accessories - switching up cushions and throws seasonally will create refreshed looks for your living room throughout the year.”
Add functional lighting
"Lighting is key in living spaces, especially as the nights are becoming longer. Think about what you need, whether that's ambient lighting for a warm glow or directional task styles for reading.”
Use fragrance
“Home fragrance is important for evoking the senses in the cooler months when you can’t open up the windows to connect with nature," says Sarah. "Whether you veer towards smoky sandalwood notes or spicy aromas of cinnamon and nutmeg-pick a scent that makes you feel warm and cocooned.”
Pick an on-trend colour
“Pink is now seen as a new neutral. It can work equally well in a cooler and more casual setting with pale blues and creams or paired with bolder shades and metallics to give it a smart, luxe look.”
Get comfy with a book
“Reading nooks are made for the winter months," says Sarah. "Create a cosy corner all to yourself ready to hunker down with a warm drink and a good book.”
Add a footstool
“Think of a footstool as your new coffee table and style it as such; arrange it with glossy coffee table books, a tray with drinks and a throw at the ready," explains Sarah. "Pick one that doubles up as storage for when you want to clear it away and put your feet up.”
Incorporate tech into your space
"Technology has come a long way in recent years," says Sarah. "Stylish sofas can still have inbuilt chargers for phones and head and footrests that enhance comfort so you won't need to compromise to have both. The GH 100 Sofa with DFS is a great example of this.”
Showcase your skills
“You only need a small area to show off your styling skills. It could be as simple as colour coding your bookcase, arranging a shelf or curating a console with the things you love. Keep to a similar colour palette to keep it all looking harmonious.”
Choose a fabric you love
“The fabric you choose for your upholstering is just as important as the design itself," says Sarah. "Don’t shy away from velvets that are traditionally seen as hard to clean; you’d be surprised at the advancements in treatments.”
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