Designer's Tips to Craft a Cozy Living Room Ambiance - Unveiling the Hidden Elements that Warm Up any Space
Upgrade your living room to a warm, inviting, and stylish space with these bespoke tips from Alykhan Velji of Alykhan Velji Designs, based in Calgary, Alberta.
Picture-Perfect Project
Aly's latest project showcases a livable dream living room in the Rideau neighborhood of Calgary. The client's objective was to make the space feel cozy yet streamlined - an essential balance avoided by contemporary design's cold and impersonal nature. Here are the four main elements that set this project apart:
1. Contrast
Aly suggests bold colors for statement pieces like sofas. In this project, the warm-toned sofa serves as a focal point that harmonizes with other contrasting elements in the room. This chef's kiss not only makes it a standout piece but also contributes to the design's textured and layered aesthetic.
Play around with different furniture types, materials, and bold colors to achieve your own curated look. Mixing mid-century pieces with traditional elements results in a dynamic and harmonious space. Add a layer of plaster for extra texture on walls or furniture to create a unique, handcrafted look.
2. A Room-Anchoring Rug
A careful selection of a large, woven, bordered rug served as the perfect finishing touch for this living room. The natural rug defines the area while adding visual interest, creating a beautifully cohesive aesthetic. When shopping for the ideal rug, consider visiting rug shops to lay options on the floor in your intended environment. This tried-and-true approach enables you to choose the perfect size, texture, and pattern to complement your space.
3. Large Artwork
Oversized artwork can significantly change a room's atmosphere. In this project, Aly and his team selected two substantial pieces that beautifully contrasted the space and added a touch of grandeur. Don't be fooled by the impression that larger artworks are always exorbitantly priced. Consider commissioning a local artist to create something customized to fit your space and budget.
4. Organic Shapes & Materials
Embrace organic shapes to create a more fluid and dynamic environment. Choose furniture with rounded or curved forms, such as oval coffee tables, circular side tables, or curved sofas, to soften edges and add visual interest. Opt for warm materials like wood, rattan, stone, and linen to imbue your space with a tactile quality that feels both inviting and luxurious.
Upgrade Your Space
Take your living room from drab to fab with our expert picks:
Price: $649
This ottoman makes a lasting statement with its contrasting leather seat and sleek plank legs. It's the perfect piece to add some dynamic flair to an older armchair or liven up an empty corner.
Price: $278
Take the plunge into plaster with this low-risk, paper-mache bowl. Its imperfect look gives it a unique texture and organic feel to modernize your space without committing to larger projects.
Price: $249
This vintage-inspired table lamp, with modern touches like a linen shade and rattan base, will serve as an unexpected yet captivating centerpiece in your living room.
Follow Aly's design secrets to create a cozy, curated living room that's sure to impress guests while providing a space you'll love spending time in.
- To create a statement in your living room, consider using bold colors for decorative items like sofas, which can serve as a focal point that enhances the texture and layered aesthetic of the room.
- Incorporate furniture made of various types and materials, and experiment with contrasting colors, as mixing mid-century pieces with traditional elements can result in a dynamic, harmonious space.
- Large, woven, bordered rugs can serve as great accents in a living room, defining the space, adding visual interest, and contributing to a cohesive aesthetic.
- Oversized artwork can dramatically alter the atmosphere of a room, making it more inviting and adding a touch of grandeur. Commissioning local artists to create custom pieces is a cost-effective option.
- Embrace organic shapes and materials such as wood, rattan, stone, and linen to give your living room a tactile, inviting, and luxurious feel, while also promoting a fluid and dynamic environment.
