The living room is one of those spaces that quietly does a lot of heavy lifting.
I’ve lived in plenty of shared houses over the years, worked from home as a video editor and music producer, and built home studios in five different properties.
Between long workdays, gym sessions, hockey training, and cooking most of our meals at home, the living room has always ended up being the place where everything happens — relaxing, editing, eating, charging devices, and collapsing at the end of the day.
What I’ve learned is that comfort doesn’t come from filling the room with stuff. It comes from a few well-chosen items that make the space feel easier to live in. These are the living room upgrades that genuinely made our space feel more comfortable almost immediately.
Throws
A good throw is one of the quickest ways to make a living room feel warmer and more inviting.
In shared houses especially, they’re practical — protecting sofas, adding texture, and making cold evenings more comfortable without turning up the heating. We keep one on the sofa year-round, and it gets used daily.
Floor & Table Lamps (Better Light, Better Mood)
Lighting makes more difference than people realise.
After years of working with screens and editing setups, I’m very aware of how harsh overhead lighting can feel. Adding a couple of warm floor or table lamps instantly changed the atmosphere of our living room. The space feels calmer, more relaxed, and much nicer to spend time in — especially in the evenings.
If you work from home or spend long hours indoors, softer lighting is one of the best comfort upgrades you can make.
Footrests (Underrated Comfort Upgrade)
A footrest sounds minor, but it makes a big difference.
Whether you’re sitting on the sofa, working on a laptop, or just trying to relax properly, having somewhere comfortable to rest your feet changes how your whole body feels. After training or long days on your feet, it’s one of those small comforts you notice straight away. They also double (triple?) up as an extra seat and storage!!
Cable Organisers (Less Visual Clutter)
Between working from home, charging devices, and general everyday life, cables add up fast.
Cable organisers helped clean up our living room without any major effort. Everything feels calmer when chargers, extension leads, and loose wires aren’t constantly visible. It’s not flashy, but it genuinely makes the room feel more organised and easier to live in.
Especially useful if you’ve got shared spaces or limited plug sockets.
Nesting Coffee Tables
Nesting coffee tables are one of the most practical furniture choices we’ve made.
They’re flexible, easy to move, and adapt well to different situations — whether you’re hosting, working from the sofa, or just want extra surface space temporarily. In shared houses, flexibility matters, and nesting tables give you options without permanently taking up floor space.
They’re simple, functional, and surprisingly versatile.
Lift-Up Coffee Table with Hidden Storage
This is a one-of-a-kind’er. A serious upgrade for anyone who works from home!
A lift-up coffee table works brilliantly if you eat in the living room, work from the sofa, or just want better posture while using a laptop. The hidden storage is perfect for keeping clutter out of sight which instantly makes the room feel tidier.
For small or multi-use living spaces, this kind of table punches well above its weight.
Set of End Tables (Practical Without Overcrowding)
A small set of end tables adds convenience without making the room feel cramped. Amazing for saving space. More of a permanent fixture if you’re not looking for nesting tables.
They’re ideal for lamps, plants, books, you name it.
Final Thoughts
Comfort isn’t about expensive furniture or perfectly styled rooms.
After years of shared living, working from home, and juggling busy routines, I’ve found that the most comfortable living rooms are built around how you actually live. A few thoughtful items — better lighting, flexible tables, soft textures, and simple organisation — can completely change how a space feels.
These are the kinds of living room upgrades that don’t just look good on day one, but keep paying off every single day.
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