Seven ways to make your home more cosy
Now that autumn is in full swing, you’re probably thinking of ways to make your home super cosy as the nights grow longer.
It’s that time of year when a certain interior design buzzword reenters our vocabulary – ‘Hygge'(pronounced “Hue-ga”, like “cougar”!).
Though the concept of Hygge has only appeared on our radars in recent years, it’s actually been around since the 18th century in Denmark.
The closest English translation of ‘Hygge’ is something along the lines of ‘cosiness’ and it’s very intrinsic to the culture in Denmark – which probably goes someway to explaining why the country is often named one of the happiest to live in the world.
“Hygge is about atmosphere and an experience, rather than things,” Meik Wiking, author of The Little Book Of Hygge: The Danish Way To Live Well, explains. “It’s about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down.”
So without further ado, here are seven simple steps on how to Hygge up your home!
1) Light candles
Candles are possibly the most ‘hyggeligt’ thing out there and the Danes simply can’t get enough of them. Candles in the morning over breakfast, candles at dusk with dinner. In fact, the people of Denmark burn more candles per head than anywhere else in Europe, with a third of Danes admitting they like to light candles every day.
Warning: Never leave lit candles unattended, and extinguish them when leaving a room or before sleep.
2) Create your own ‘Hyggekrog’ – a home snug
Find a place in your home – preferably by a window with a nice view – where you can lay out some cushions and blankets, sit down with a cuppa and watch the world go by. Hygge heaven!
3) Bring a bit of nature inside
To really give your home a bit of hygge flavour adapt your decor to be a little more in tune with nature. Two key points here are making sure your furniture is mostly wood (plastic is SO not Hygge) and to incorporate nature into your living space. Whether that’s using houseplants, pebbles and stones or even just a bunch of twigs, those little touches will help create the perfect ambiance.
4) Turn off the big lights and embrace lamps instead
Harsh lighting is very detrimental to the Hygge ambiance we’re striving for so turn off those big room lights and instead choose two or three smaller lamps placed around the room to create low-level lighting that feels warm and inviting. Even better – if you’re lucky enough to have one then get that open wood fire burning!
5) Make a brew… and take a moment to relax
Hot drinks are regularly ranked as one of the most important factors in getting more Hygge in your life. So make sure you don’t rush that morning coffee or that you treat yourself to a cup of hot cocoa in the evenings.
6) Get baking and don’t feel guilty about it
One of the cornerstones of Hygge is treating yourself whereever possible to some of the finer things in life. And we all know there’s not much that can make you feel better than a delicious bit of cake or a slice of freshly baked bread. Plus, all those toasty smells from the oven? Perfect!
7) Pick up a good old-fashioned book
Sometimes we need to force ourselves to switch off from phones, tablets, the Internet and all of those distractions to give ourselves some peace and quiet. When you have the time there’s nothing better than curling up on the sofa and reading your favourite book.
So that’s it. Hygge is here, and it’s time to embrace it with open arms!
