Are you looking to create a cozy minimalist living room? We are going to share 5 simple ways to do so.
Let’s face it: minimalist design can sometimes feel cold. If you think the same but still love the ‘less is more’ concept, we know what you need: a cozy minimalist design style.
This is equal parts simple and warm. You want your living space to be your sanctuary. So, even with minimal accessories, your space feels just as welcoming as its bohemian counterpart.
We especially love this style in our living room; it helps keep the clutter out while still making it a comforting spot for family to gather.
5 Ideas for Creating a Cozy Minimalist Living Room
We like to describe our coastal bungalow as a cozy minimalist home. Cozy minimalism is very similar to the hygge lifestyle. Minimalist space doesn’t have to be as sterile as many think. It allows for less stuff so the things that matter can be more prominent and pique your visual interest.
We love clean lines and natural light, but we also have things at our space’s focal point. For example, a surfboard in the corner of our living room. It is functional but also has decor that reminds us of how we sold everything to move to live on the coast.
We also like things simple: our lifestyle and our advice. Read more for our top five cozy minimalist living room ideas.
1. Start With a Neutral Color Palette
Minimalism means keeping the decor understated, and that first begins with the walls. Make sure to decide on a neutral color palette for the interior. This can be whites, beiges, grays, and pale blues.
You can also add small touches of brown for a warmer feeling. Case in point: wood tones through decor elements. If you want to add a pop of color, consider a splash of sunset hues.
Our modern minimalist living room has a very pale blue to correspond with our coastal vibe.
2. Focus on Cozy Textures
The number one secret to creating a cozy space is layering textures—and plenty of them. You want to focus on these in terms of both touch and look. An easy way to do this are throw pillows or a cozy blanket like this one from Cozy Earth. Don’t focus on the price. We have a Cozy Earth discount code to save you 40%!
Learn how we obtained the boucle style without buying new furniture.
One of our favorite ways to do this is by layering differently-sized rugs. Think of a simple white rug with a (super fluffy) faux sheepskin for major plushness. We love this one! This still keeps the ambiance simple but just a few more parts cozy.
We also love Ruggable. Not only are their rugs washable (easily), but they also have really cool designs. If you want something a little more mute, they have simple designs unlike any you will find. You can search their site for an area rug, runners, or even floor mats for your doors.
3. Add Some Books
Personally, we feel books add so much meaning to a space. When you add them to your living room, you are able to communicate your personal taste to anyone who visits, even without saying anything. Additionally, they add a beautiful touch of warmth to the interior.
Consider stacking your books in horizontal and vertical alignments. For example, create a traditional row of them that takes up one-third of the shelf. Proceed to prop them up with a stack of books lying flat. We do not have books just to have them or to serve as decor. We use the functional items that we love to be minimalist decor.
4. Go Big on Natural Materials
When creating a cozy minimalist living room, one great way to add warmth (the minimalist way) is by adding natural materials. These keep things easy and breezy. Think wicker and rattan contributing to an airy yet warm feeling. From coffee tables to planters, there are plenty of ways to achieve the purpose. And, of course, plants (faux or real) are a great addition to any interior, including the cozy minimalist aesthetic.
5. Don’t Skimp on Artwork
Even if you love a simple white-and-black interior, you can make it nice and welcoming with the right artwork. This injects character into the space—and also makes for a great conversation starter! We love statement art pieces that stick to a neutral color palette and use line art to add interest to the space.
Try Etsy for a custom piece like our painting of Betty White. Larger statement pieces that sit against a wall like a floor-length mirror can take the place of artwork. Mirrors are also a great light source if you are limited.
If you’re working with digital art, you might need to adjust formats or convert PNG to JPG for better compatibility or resizing purposes to get the perfect print. A well-printed artwork can tie together your decor and make your home feel more personalized.
A Cozy Minimalist Room Is Attainable
We love changing things up. The best way to attain a cozy minimalist space is to use your own minimalist style. For us, we are more coastal. We take a page from the book Surf Shack. That book has been a big inspiration for us.
It’s also fun to implement some sustainable home trends while making the space your own.
We pride ourselves on our Cozy Minimalist Bedroom, making the space ideal for sleeping and enjoying the white color throughout. It totally captures our cozy vibe!
At the end of the day, you want your home to feel like your sanctuary. It should reflect your personal style without causing stress- a clutter-free space.
If you are looking for a quick list of ideas, read our 45 Minimalist Home Decor Ideas You Can Do Yourself.
FAQs | Frequently Asked Questions
First, there are no rules, so the answer is always going to be, “Yes!” We love a perfect balance of open floor plan with things we love, but also nothing in a space. A minimalist look is dependent upon what your ideal space feel is. The point is that it reduces a lot of time you will have on cleaning and caring for things.
With a small house, we enjoy furniture that has multiple uses. Having storage that is also an ottoman, or a bed that is a sofa, too. We would say to avoid large pieces of furniture or pieces if you don’t have the people to use them.
Giving items a second life is ideal. Sustainability aligns with the minimalist lifestyle. You don’t have to do that, though. The cozy minimalist community aligns with this line of thinking, too. However, personal touches are also items you adore. You want your home to feel like it’s yours and to absolutely fall in love with your space.
