Our Living Room: Comfortable and Cozy

 As some of you may know, I have an interest in interior design.  Maybe not enough of an interest to actually go to school and become an interior designer, but just enough to sit around watching HGTV all day.  Believe it or not, I don’t watch just because David Bromstad is on there.  Although that is a plus.

A while ago I posted about our dining room, showing pictures and detailing the cost of everything.  I intended to do other stories about the other rooms in our apartment, but I never got around to it.  Well, I’m doing it now, folks, so be happy.

I have to start out by saying how much I love our apartment.  Sure it’s not the newest and swankiest of apartment buildings, and most of our neighbors are less than well-groomed, but once I come through the doors of Number 241 I’m home.

I’m going to talk about our living room for the next few days, focusing on different aspects of the space.  Today is all about comfort.  Since I spend so much time sitting in front of the TV watching interior design shows or thumbing through Ikea catalogs, it is important that the room be soft and inviting. 

Now, for a long time we had a black futon that was... well, here’s a comic I did a while ago expressing my feelings on futons:

They just aren’t very comfy.  Searching the classifieds online (which I would recommend to anyone who wants to buy cheap furniture) I stumbled upon a tan sofa for only $150.  Our uncomfortable Target-purchased futon was more expensive than that!  So for less money, we traded it out for a much better piece of furniture.  Sure it’s a little worn, but overall it was a great deal.  We couldn’t be happier lounging around on that soft sofa!

Our sofa is flanked by two red chairs which were purchased at Ikea for $99 each.  The chairs are a bright pop of color against the tan sofa and white coffee table.  And although the sofa and chairs do not match, they are pulled together through the use of black and red pillows, also from Ikea.

I’m glad I mentioned those pillows, because they are a must for a comfy cozy living space!  They are so soft and squishy, perfect for laying your head on or hugging tightly (I don’t know about you, but I always tend to hold a pillow on my lap while watching TV… I guess it’s a comfort thing).  We have five pillows on the sofa, which I like to sort of stand side by side like a row of books on a shelf.  I think it has a sort of contemporary look that way.  Of course, they don’t stay like that for very long!

We also have a long body pillow which lays along a short bookshelf.  Together they form a sort of bench, which is great extra seating when we have friends over.  Not a good place to sit and watch a movie, but definitely great for when we’re in the middle of a riveting conversation.  I also tend to sit there and put my shoes on (and no, I am not Mr. Rogers).

At the other end of our sofa you can also find a small red throw which is a perfect blankie for snuggling up in.  Underneath an end table, there are additional blankets and another pillow in a small stack.  You never know when everybody is going to want their own blanket… especially as we move into the colder months. 

So if I haven’t made myself clear yet, comfy and cozy is key!  Make your apartment more inviting with soft seating you can really sink into and pillows, pillows, pillows.  Add a shaggy rug like ours for added texture and interest, and you’ve really got a living room that says, “Come have a seat, please!”