Giada De Laurentiis brings on-trend neutrals alive in her living room – experts say her palette feels physically comforting and safe

Giada De Laurentiis may be synonymous with the kitchen (the Food Network host made her name in the culinary world, after all). However, the Giada at Home star has curated a beautiful home beyond her conventional camera backdrop.

In her living room, Laurentiis has mastered the 'Cozy Girl' design aesthetic (think of a more textured twist on the classic 'Vanilla Girl' look), comprising soothing neutrals with warm undertones and, of course, lots of boucle as standard.

Designing a neutral living room is perhaps one of the safest decorating decisions we can make since these hues have the consistent ability to work in even the smallest of spaces and transcend design trends. However, design movements, such as the Cozy Girl aesthetic, keep this color palette fresh and exciting. While some neutrals can sometimes feel safe and (we dare say, slightly uninspiring), there are ways to keep them contemporary. De Laurentiis's space is the perfect example.

As seen in De Laurentiis' room, achieving the Cozy Girl look comes down to more than just cinnamon candles. The key is knowing how to decorate with neutrals to create a home environment that makes us feel physically comforted, nurtured, and safe – as Tash Bradley, Director of Interior Design and Colour Psychologist at Lick, explains.

'The Cosy Girl aesthetic embraces a warm autumnal color palette of burnt oranges, warming reds, earthy beiges, and grounding neutrals. The key is to choose colors with a warm yellow or red undertone, rather than blue or gray,' Bradley explains. She recommends opting for whites, beiges, oranges, and taupe hues to master the look.

Soothing neutrals aside, De Laurentiis's use of textured furnishings and accessories is equally as inspiring. Alongside her boucle accent chair, De Laurentiis has incorporated throw blankets, cushions, and a large rug to bring warmth and comfort to the room.

'Creating a Cozy Girl home means layering lots of fabrics and textiles, and when it comes to blankets, cushions, and pillows, you can’t have too many. On your sofa, on your bed, pile them high in a wicker basket – just make sure there is one within arms reach at all times,' Bradley says.

For a De Laurentiis-inspired way to follow the Cozy Girl trend, we recommend these curated picks below. We can't get enough of the boucle chair, which has a similar shape to the one seen in her space. Meanwhile, this pillow and throw, designed by Nate Berkus, is the perfect accompaniment to any neutral living room or bedroom.

'When it comes to styling your home, the ‘Cozy Girl’ aesthetic bears many similarities to the hygge trend,' Bradley adds.

'Hygge is a Danish word meaning coziness, but ideology translates to the art of creating intimacy. Think layered lighting, decorating your home in colors that warm and envelop you, and evenings in front of the fire in your comfiest pajamas surrounded by those you feel most comfortable around.'