EMBRACING COSY LUXURY AS THE CLOCKS GO BACK
The clocks are going back, the nights are drawing in, and the temperature is dropping. Autumn has officially arrived, and with it, has brought the temptation to curl up by a roaring fire with a hot drink and a good book. The feeling of warmth, and well-being that cold, autumn nights evoke is best encapsulated in the Danish and Norwegian word hygge, which translates as a convivial atmosphere created by cosiness, comfort, and the appreciation of everyday moments.
In Scandinavian countries where winters are long and dark, and daylight can be scarce for months on end, hygge has become a cultural cornerstone. The appeal of home as a snug haven of comfort has since caught on around the world, and the concept of hygge as a lifestyle trend has been growing in the UK since the mid 2010s.
By Emily Allen: Columnist
It’s about the small things in life. Like warm socks. A dim-lit room. A hot cup of tea in your favorite mug
Its popularity is perhaps a reaction to a fast-paced world that is becoming increasingly more chaotic, and there are now books, blogs, and cafés dedicated to the concept. The best hygge, however, is the kind you create yourself with your loved ones, in true Nordic style, and transforms the winter months into a time of warmth, comfort, and indulgence. This is the heart of hygge.
How to Hygge in style
While hygge can be as simple as enjoying a hot cup of tea in an armchair, it’s about cultivating an atmosphere of cosy luxury in your own home. From warm lighting to sumptuous fabrics and exquisitely scented candles, these hygge rituals soothe both body and mind. Here’s how to bring a little hygge magic into your home.
Sumptuous Scented Candles
Offering a flickering soft glow and delectable scents, these are a must-have for creating the ultimate hygge experience. Opt for scents that evoke the essence of autumn and winter – think fresh pine, pumpkin spice, warm amber, or spicy cinnamon.
Place the candles on your mantelpiece as a focal point, or dot them around your sitting room on side tables, to cultivate a warm, welcoming glow. When it comes to choosing the best throw, texture and feel is just as important as colour. Mix and match luxuriously smooth cashmere with heavier, chunky-knitted blankets to acquire a rich and inviting layered effect.
Hygge, pronounced ‘hoo-gah’, is all about comfort, cosiness and the warm feeling you get when you are truly appreciating the good things in life.
This is about self-care, relaxation and indulgence.
Beautiful Blankets and Throws
With the nights growing colder, there’s something so comforting about wrapping yourself up in a blanket, and your options are endless. Cashmere, wool, and chunky knits are the epitome of cosy luxury, and the more layers the better. Fabrics add another element to even the cosiest of spaces, and bring the ultimate “lived-in” feel to a room. Consider draping throws over your furniture for a cosy, inviting look (bonus points if the colours contrast), or place a basket of folded blankets by your armchair or sofa. Opt for warming, wintery tones such as earthy browns, deep reds, or creams.
Delectable Drinks
A welcoming, warm drink on a cold night can feel like hygge in a mug. The winter months are perfect for drinks that place warming spices and flavours front and centre of their offering. From a traditional hot chocolate, to mulled pear juice, to cinnamon and clove tea (or a hot toddy, eggnog, and clementine whisky for those partial to a drop of alcohol!), these warming drinks are the perfect accompaniment to falling temperatures.
To enhance the hygge atmosphere, serve your drinks in beautifully crafted mugs or teacups. Handmade or hand-painted mugs (featuring seasonal scenes of course) or earthy stoneware will make even the most simple drinks taste luxurious.
Cosy Clothing
Hygge doesn’t stop at your home – it’s also about what you wear. Soft, oversized knitwear, cashmere scarves, and cosy socks become functional and indulgent essentials, perfect for when the chill sets in.
A cosy and luxurious wardrobe is best cultivated from clothing made from natural fibres such as cashmere, merino wool, or organic cotton. These materials are breathable, warm, and soft against your skin. Layering items makes for extra comfort and warmth, aligning perfectly with the hygge aesthetic.
Whether you’re spending the day working from home or hunkering down for a relaxed evening, your clothing should feel like an extension of the comfort and warmth that you embrace during this season.
Luxurious Lighting
Nothing says luxury like a softly-lit room, and the right lighting can transform your home into a serene hideaway. Lamps will provide a warmer, softer glow than overhead lights (and will complement your scented candles), creating that perfect hygge feel. Make sure to avoid harsh, bright lights that can feel clinical warm-toned bulbs, which cast a gentle, golden glow in the room as natural light becomes increasingly scarce.
Table and floor lamps create pockets of warm light throughout the room, and those with wooden or ceramic bases best encompass cosy luxury. Alternatively, dimmable lights allow you to adjust the brightness as you see fit. You could even hang fairy lights around the room to create a magical glow.
With the going back of the clocks comes longer evenings, and hygge invites us to embrace the changing season with open arms. This winter, seize the opportunity to slow down your every day and embrace the simple pleasures in life with these tips on how to achieve the ultimate luxurious hygge, and turn the ordinary into the extraordinary during the darker months.
― emily allen
columnist
Emily is a Freelance feature writer (focusing on arts, culture, lifestyle, and history) and professional copywriter. Book lover and culture vulture. Published in Metro, Huff Post, and more.
© 2024 Houghton & Mackay. All Rights Reserved. The content in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without prior permission to the rights owners. Cover Photo: Inside Weather furniture co. Reel: Roman Skypnyk. Hygge Poster: Julian Hochegesang. Prose: Emily Allen
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