Buying a new leather sofa is only part of the process.Â
If you aren't an interior designer, it can feel intimidating to bring home a new couch without any other accent pieces to complement it.
If you haven't planned your room's design, things can look drab and boring, while not feeling quite like a home.Â
With that in mind, lets look at some of the ways to help keep your leather sofa feeling as comfortable and cozy as possible.
Keep It Dust Free
Dusting upholstery is a must when caring for your home's interior. If there is dust on the surface of your leather furniture, this may cause stains or scratches which could ruin its appearance over time.
Invest in a good vacuum cleaner that has strong suction power and go over all areas of the couch at least once per week to remove dirt particles from deep within the fabric fibers (you may need to use a small brush attachment).Â
I have this Black and Decker Dust Buster and it works great on my leather sofa (especially good if you have pets).Â
Trust me, keeping your space clean and clear of any dirt will free your mind from anxiety and make the room feel more comfortable.
Add A Throw Rug Near The Couch For Warmth And Comfort
A throw rug can be used to add warmth and comfort in any room. There are many different types of rugs that you can choose from, but it is important to consider your home's décor before making a purchase (e.g., size, color).
Matching a rug to your décor is easier for some people (this is something I struggle with!), but I suggest taking the colors of your sofa and any other accent pieces (also wall colors etc.) to try and find a rug that has colors that complement the décor.Â
A lot of people fail to realize that good design doesn't mean everything needs to match perfectly. The area rug does not need to be the exact same color as the sofa, and neutral colors can typically coordinate with anything else you decide will go into your space- no matter what colors those elements are!
Don't forget about placement!Â
The best thing you can do is measure out an area on the floor so that when placed there, it will cover exactly what you need it too with some extra space around it for safety precautions and ease of movement.
Remove Clutter Near The Leather SofaÂ
Do you feel like there's just no room in your living room?
Maybe it's time to declutter!Â
Whether your sofa is in the living room or office, there are some easy steps to take so that the clutter does not build up.
Here are five tips on how to remove clutter near a leather sofa:
• Consider what items can be removed altogether from your home.
• Put items away after using them and before you leave for more than an hour.
• Donate things that don't bring joy or have value. Look at things with fresh eyes and think about who might enjoy them more than you do if they were still new-to-you.
Side Note - This Book (The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up) was a game changer for me and helped me declutter my house with ease. Â I highly recommend it! (and her Netflix show)
• Find homes for outgrown clothes, toys, electronics,
Add Some Plants To The Room
Do you want to make your living room more cozy? Â Is your leather sofa just sitting all by its lonesome with no decorative accents?
Do you want it to look like a living space rather than an abandoned warehouse?
If so, adding plants is a great way to do that.
Plants are the perfect accent for any home and they come in all shapes, sizes and colors.
They can be used as decorations on their own or mixed with other decor pieces such as bookshelves, artwork or furniture.
Note, the plants DON'T always have to be REAL!
If you don't exactly have a green thumb, fake plants work really well, and can still add a great touch of coziness to your room.Â
I've actually found some really nice pieces at Homesense, or even Ikea, so if you have one near you, be sure to check it out.Â
Find Some Cool Artwork That Matches Your Decor
This is one of the things I have a tough time with. I don't really like buying prints. To me that just seems like a cop out, and would prefer to have an original painting on my walls. However, unless you are friends with some local artists, original art can get expensive.Â
Of course, places like Ikea, WestElm.com and Wayfair.com sell artist prints that look good, but if you can splurge for something that's original, that's what I recommend.Â
I do like to pay attention to colors in matching a piece of art, especially if it will be a focal point of my room. It doesn't necessarily need to have the same colors as my leather sofa, but it should help complement it.Â
However, there have been cases, when I found a piece of art that I just couldn't resist, despite the contrasts in colors. So go with what feels most comfortable for you.Â
PRO TIP: Look for local Art Schools in your area. Many have yearly sales of student art to help raise money and you can often find some really nice pieces at an affordable price.
Use An Ottoman For A Footrest (or Storage)
How do you decorate with a leather sofa? One method is by adding an ottoman to the space.
This piece of furniture can be used for more than just sitting on-- it's also great for storing extra blankets or pillows during the winter months when you're not using them.
This will give your room a cohesive look and feel, which is perfect if you are working with a minimalist design aesthetic. Your guests will never know that there's storage in this decorative item!Â
Add some decorative throw pillows to add color and texture
Is your leather sofa looking a little drab? Want to add some fresh color and texture to the room but don't want it to clash with the other furniture or carpeting?
The answer is simple--a throw pillow (or two).Â
Throw pillows are so versatile they can be used in just about any setting, but they work particularly well for adding a pop of color and pattern on an otherwise plain-looking couch.
A good place to start would be what kind of style or theme you want for your couch.
Do you want it to look more modern, casual, chic, laid back - there's something out there that will match what you're looking for!
Once you've decided on a theme go ahead and get started by browsing some photos online or finding inspiration from other rooms in your house.
Personally, I love to visit showrooms to get an idea for throw pillows. The above image came from a photo I took at a West Elm showroom. I find that West Elm has a great design feel in its stores, and you can get a lot of inspiration from many online furniture stores.Â
I really like these Jozy lumbar pilows from Poly & Bark, which are super comfortable and provide any leather sofa with an extra pop of color.
Add a few throws (Blankets) to make the sofa feel more cozy
One negative of leather sofas are that they can be cold to sit on.
Thus, adding a few throws can add not only style, but a warmth either on your bottom or covering you up to keep you warm while cozying up on your sofa.Â
A throw blanket is a type of blanket that has been specifically designed to be lightweight, easy-to-carry and quick to use. They are usually made out of wool or fleece, but they can also be made with cotton if desired. Â
Note, I bought this fleece throw for my wife at Christmas, and she raves about it. Â Plus, it's less than $20! Â For when comfort is more important than design!
Throw blankets are also commonly used for decoration purposes such as adding color to an otherwise drab room or accenting furniture pieces with their colors. Â
Throw blankets are often used in the winter months because they're easy to take around and warm up quickly. However, for those who don't want a bulky item taking up space on their couch, this is an excellent alternative!
I personally love afghan throws but they aren't for everyone.Â
Turn on some calming music to make it feel like home
The living room is one of the most popular rooms in any house because it's where family and friends gather together for gatherings or just relaxing on their own.
It should be warm, inviting, and comfortable so that people feel at ease when they walk into it.Â
What is the best music for creating a relaxing environment?Â
The best music for a relaxing living room is calming and soothing. Music can have a significant impact on your mood, so it's important to choose the right songs.
Too much rock or heavy metal can be too high-strung for relaxation, while some classical music may be too boring. Here are four types of genres that make great "chill" music:
Â
1) Instrumental Classical - this type of instrumental song has no lyrics and sounds like it's from an old movie score
2) New Age - usually features instruments such as flute and harp
3) Jazz - jazz is often considered relaxing because it emphasizes melody over rhythm
4) Acoustic Rock - acoustic rock typically uses guitars with softer tones than electric guitars making them more
Add fresh flowers throughout your living space as decorating accents Â
There is a certain feeling that comes with being in the presence of fresh flowers. They can make a room feel more lively and inviting. Flowers will make the space smell amazing and add warmth, as well as giving a cozy feeling. Â
The benefits of having fresh flowers on your living room furniture are endless. They not only provide an inviting feel but they can also be used to brighten up any space with their colors. In addition to this, they have proven health benefits such as improving mental clarity and providing relief from depression symptoms like anger, anxiety and fear.
Purchase new candles
We all want to make our homes feel more cozy, especially during those cold nights when you want a place where you can curl up with a good book or movie.
To help make your living area feel more cozy, we've put together this list of candles that will help you create a more comfortable and cozy area to curl up on that leather couch!
The first candle on our list:
Yankee Candle's Autumn Leaves scented candle is perfect for fall and winter because it smells like freshly baked apple pies with notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, clove and vanilla. It's so comforting!
If you're looking for something less spicy but just as inviting try the Yankee Candle Lavender Vanilla which is great for those colder evenings where you need some warmth from your home.
Set up a coffee table with games and books
Do you have a coffee table in your living room? Â We all know that the standard coffee table just doesn't cut it anymore and may be collecting dust or serving as a makeshift bedside table.
This has led to people looking for creative ways to spruce up their boring tables.
But what if there was a better way to make your room feel more cozy?
Put some games on top of the coffee table, some that don't take up too much space, that both look great and can serve as a great way to have fun with your family.Â
Of course there's always the obligatory coffee table books, but don't be too obvious here! Find some larger sized book about house decorating or history, or even art; things that you might actually want to read!
Tom,. I really like your reviews and suggestions! Clearly written and honest, I learned a lot, and plan to buy a leather sectional/chaise from Poly & Bark for my new, downsized home. P.S. I’m outside your usual demographic; I am 70.
Thanks, Christina, I really appreciate the comment. It makes writing these articles that much more fulfilling!