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11 den ideas to create the perfect cosy hideaway

Learn how to transform a compact room into a practical and cosy space with these clever furniture and design choices.

Looking for den ideas to cosy up your current living space? We’ve got you covered on how to effectively decorate your small room to create just the right ambience.

By definition, a den is categorised as a small room in your home where you’d go to seek peace and solace. There are certain den design ideas and den decor that will help you construct the den of your dreams, so listen up!

Den ideas to inspire every room

A den is a fun word to describe a cosy space that’s unique to you and your home.

Whether you want to create a cosy room to simply relax, a comfortable work-from-home space, or an at-home cinema, we’ll show you how with these den decorating ideas.

How to make a den

If you’re following the traditional sense of the word, you may want to drape a bed sheet over the sofa and pile some cushions and throws on the floor.

However, if you’re looking for something a bit more sophisticated then you may want to utilise a certain room to its full potential.

Whatever square footage you’re working with, it’s important to prioritise what’s important to you when designing a den room.

Our top piece of advice would be to clearly define what you want the space to be used for and go from there. Plan out the key pieces of furniture that you’d like to include, work out the best configuration, decide on your colour scheme, and then add those all-important extras to amp up the cosiness!

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Den furniture ideas

These den furniture ideas will help to answer the conundrum, “What should I put in my den?”.

Whether you’re looking for contemporary, cool den ideas or something more Hygge, read on for a generous dose of inspiration.

1. Add a sofa bed

woman on sofa bed

Trying to find den sofa ideas but not sure what will best work for your space? A sofa bed is a fantastic option if you need your den to be multifunctional.

A sofa bed is ideal for a den as it can be used as a traditional sofa or something that you or your guests can sleep on. Perfect!

2. Install built-in furniture

bult in media unit

Working with a small space can be tricky and there are certain challenges that come along with it.

A fantastic way to make the most of the available space is to incorporate bespoke furniture and storage like those pictured above.

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3. Floor cushions and bean bags

blue beanbag

If you’re designing a den room for children or teenagers, informal furniture such as bean bags and floor cushions make the perfect addition.

4. Choose unstructured furniture

grey squishy sofa

We recommend opting for a relaxed-style sofa instead of a rigid design because this will help to set the tone for your den.

A sofa without legs that you can sink into is ideal. Accessorise your den sofa with colourful cushions and throws to make it even more cosy.

5. Go for modular furniture

modular sofa

Multi-functional furniture is your friend when it comes to designing a den. Modular sofas are a big trend for 2025 and work well in smaller spaces.

A modular sofa can be easily dismantled to create different seating areas. For example, you can configure it to be a corner sofa but then you can quickly change it into a regular sofa and a pouffe.

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Den ideas for small spaces

Working with a small square footage? Not a problem. With these den ideas for small spaces, you’ll find plenty of clever ways to make the most of a compact room.

6. An alternative desk area

Home office setup in an alcove area under the stairs

If you want to incorporate a workspace into your den area but are short on square footage, you may want to consider a floating desk or a desk that incorporates shelving. Simply put, a floating desk is a desk without legs so it allows for ample storage underneath.

Style up your desk with a trendy desk lamp, pretty stationery, and your favourite mug. Keen to see more home office ideas? Learn how to makeover a home office on a budget here.

7. Opt for slimline furniture

small living area

Small den ideas include using slimline furniture to maximise the space available. A console table is a versatile piece of furniture that can be used in lots of different ways.

Be inspired by the den above and use a console table as a TV unit. A traditional TV or media unit can be quite bulky so using a console table instead looks less imposing on the space.

8. Frame with a rug

small living room with colourful rug

Bring your tiny den scheme together by framing the space perfectly with a rug. This not only finishes off the room but can bring colour and pattern to your den, too.

Cosying up hardwood floors with a rug is a great idea if your den can get a bit chilly.

9. Add vertical storage

vertical shelf and storage

Use height to your advantage and choose den furniture that effectively utilises the available vertical space.

Pick a shelving unit that has drawers for hiding clutter as well as open shelving to display some of your favourite bits and bobs. You want your den to be a joyful space that inspires you, so make sure to fill it with things that make you happy.

10. Hang a TV

green velvet sofa in small living room

Searching for den wall ideas? Hanging a TV on the wall is a great idea for two main reasons. One, it means you have something on the wall so it won’t look like a vast open space. Two, it frees up your floor space for more seating.

Research the right bracket to use to hang your TV on the wall and use electrical casing to hide unsightly wires.

11. Use paint to your advantage

floating desk

Distract from the fact that your den is small and paint it a vibrant colour that makes you smile. A strong teal shade is a wonderful colour to choose as it is joyful and uplifting.

Alternatively, a rich terracotta shade is ideal for those who want a warm and cosy space.

Ready to design your perfect den?

Our interior designers are here to help. Simply add your postcode to the box below to see who comes highly rated in your area. All our members are checked and approved by us so you know you’re getting the real deal.

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