Four seasons: How to style your living room for every time of the year

The cool breeze of autumn, the crisp air of winter, the balmy evenings of summer, or the humming energy of spring…no matter what season it is, we’re lucky enough to enjoy four distinctly beautiful times of year in Australia.

Like the weather, our living spaces should shift along with the seasons. Whether it’s throwing open the balcony doors for entertaining in the warmer months or adding a touch of cosiness to the home for snuggling up in winter, the way we style our interiors can reflect the outdoor mood (and vice versa). But thankfully, you don’t need to buy a completely new set of furniture for every season — in fact, you can completely transform your living area with a few simple styling tips and tricks.

So how do you style your living room for every season of the year? Keep reading to find out.

Light and breezy living style for summer

Summer is the season for entertaining, which is why we like to bring as much flow between indoors and outdoors as possible during the warmer months. Coordinate the colours of your balony or yard with those in your living area to create a cohesive look in your home — we love the combination of rattan interiors with a wooden dining table and Cafe Dining Chairs.

Another tip? Brighten up your living room and take advantage of the natural light with some cleverly placed mirrors. Reflective surfaces give the illusion of more space, while also adding a cheery nature to your home.

Finally, we know that summer is the season for bubbly and aperols—so pop a bar cart in the living room or create a makeshift bar out of your console table! You (and your guests) will love the added sophistication and the convenience.

How To Style A Sofa In Summer: 

Tip 1 - Keep it breezy with linen or cotton summer throws for sofas. Opt for a splash of colour with a bright yellow, lean into European summer with nautical stripes, or channel Hamptons style with neutral hues.

Tip 2 - Patterns are another fantastic way to bring energy into your space with minimal effort. Pop in a printed cushion on the sofa or even add a textured rug underfoot to add interest.

Tip 3 - Nobody puts a plant in the corner—unless it’s summer! A well-placed monstera will add a fresh and vibrant feel to your living area.

Fall in love with autumn hues

As the days get shorter and the nights cooler, your home should also reflect these moods with a growing focus on comfort. Swap out the linens for light wool or boucle furniture, and evoke the feeling of transition with clay or terracotta pieces on the coffee table and mantlepiece.

This is also the perfect time to rearrange the furniture to create a cosy reading nook in your home. Our pick is to combine a comfy accent chair and a room divider in the corner — with a few extra pillows and throws, you’ll feel like you’re in another space entirely.

How To Style A Sofa In Autumn:

Tip 1 - Mirror the colour of the leaves with your sofa. Mustard throws and burnt orange cushions are all perfect ways to channel the vibes of autumn indoors.

Tip 2 - Add an area rug. If you don’t normally have a rug in your living room, autumn is the time to switch it up. A rug instantly makes a space more inviting — our favourites are wool or faux sheepskin.

Tip 3 - Embrace leather with the Autumn Swivel Leather Accent Chair. Warm and inviting, leather furniture is the best way to enhance the natural warmth of your sofa.

Layer up your living room for winter

We spend the most time in our living rooms in winter, so it makes sense to invest in comfort during the cooler months. 

One of the easiest ways to make your living room cosy for winter is to switch up your lighting. Consider how the light changes throughout the day and how your light scheme can complement this: for example, having a floor lamp next to your sofa for ambient lighting, or a string of fairy lights above the fireplace for added effect.

Another often overlooked, but crucial element of your living room atmosphere is your window treatment — that is, curtains or blinds. Heavy drape curtains help keep the heat indoors and bring a sense of winter luxe to your room, while also being versatile enough to swap in and out as needed.

How To Style A Sofa In Winter:

Tip 1 - Layers, layers, and more layers! When it comes to winter throws for sofas, the goal is to layer textures to make your space feel less one-dimensional. Think: a wool blanket coupled with a faux fur cushion on your linen couch, or a woven throw atop a leather sofa.

Tip 2 - Embace ‘hygge’. A classic feature of Scandi decor, ‘hygge’ focuses on a feeling of comfort, cosiness and content. Put your effort into styling your sofa in a way that brings you comfort and joy, and it’ll make you happy—regardless of how it looks to others.

Tip 3 - Switch up your perspective. If you have a fireplace or a heat source, configure your sofa to point to there for extra warmth and comfort.

Get a spring in your step in September

Two words: florals and colour. If we could encapsulate spring in a nutshell, it would be about shedding the layers of winter and making way for the lightness and cheer that comes with the warmer months.

Stow away the heavy blankets and swap out the cushion covers with vibrant pastels. Spring is also the perfect time to declutter—a few strategically placed baskets can serve as an excellent option for hiding any knick-knacks and bring a feeling of rustic charm to your room for spring.

Finally, spinkle a pop of colour in your space with plants and florals to get your living area buzzing. These subtle changes, coupled with a fresh coat of paint, is enough to make any space look rejuvenated and renewed.

How To Style A Sofa In Spring:

Tip 1 - Patterns are key! Polka dots, flowers or even geometric prints are fantastic ways to signal that spring has arrived. If you’re wondering how to style cushions on sofa in spring, we like to mix and match a bright pattern with some plain cushions in complementary hues for maximum effect.

Tip 2 - Natural textiles are a fantastic way to add natural charm to your sofa in spring. When in doubt, you can’t go wrong with timber coffee tables like the Bronte or rattan side tables like the Tovia.

Tip 3 - Have a sofa with removable covers? A quick clean (or switch up) will make your entire living room look brand new again.

Discover our sofas suitable for every season here.