5 Things Interior Designers Say Cozy Living Rooms Always Have In Them — And It's Not Just Shag Rugs and Fireplaces

Cozy living room with textured walls, large artwork, white sofa with colorful cushions, timber table styled with vase of large stems and coffee table books, rattan armchair, rust linen armchair, side table with silver table lamp.

I have a confession: my living room is currently centered around the television. As someone who works in the world of interiors, I’m not proud to admit it. Aside from the (very) expensive decorative cushions I recently treated myself to, the current aesthetic is almost purely functional — far from the cozy living space I dream about.

You’ve seen them in magazines and on your Instagram feeds. Drenched in texture and lit with nothing but a delightfully artful sconce or a pillar candle or two. They're the sort of cozy spaces where fireplaces are the centerpiece and meaningful conversations naturally occur, without the harsh, bright light of a TV. But what if you don't have a fireplace? Or if you like to watch TV? What are some of the things you can introduce to make your living room feel cozier?