Over the past nine months, we’ve all probably spent more time at home than ever before with the ongoing global pandemic. Our homes have been and continue to serve as a refuge from a world that’s otherwise been turned upside down. And, like a lot of our clients, many people are looking around and wondering how to improve their homes and make them into true sanctuaries.
The Danish have a word “hygee” (pronounced hue-gah), which is defined as a quality of coziness and comfortable pleasantness that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being. This is the type of characteristic that our homes could use more than ever right now. So, how can you achieve hygee in your space? Here are the top three tips to help make your home a cozier retreat this winter:
1. Add Texture and Warmth
Coziness is usually associated with textures. Look around your space and assess the types of textures you can add or build on to create warmth. Think soft throws (velvet or chunky knit) or plush pillows you can layer on your family room furniture. A soft-textured rug, like Sheepskin, can switch up your space and make it feel more inviting. Thick, layered draperies add volume and warmth and can easily be switched out in the spring. You can also add warmth to any space with lighting such as a fire and seasonal, scented candles.
2. Don’t Put Away All of Your Holiday Décor
There’s nothing more depressing than the day you take down your holiday decorations. It always feels so barren and empty, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Leave your greenery out. That means your garland, pinecones, berries, and other natural elements, and even your planters. Rearrange these items on your mantle, your tabletops, and ledges for a fresh look. These winter items can make your home still feel seasonal without being holiday specific and you can leave them up until the season changes.
3. Pick a Fun, Winter-Inspired Theme
It could be a favorite winter scene you display throughout your spaces – a collection of framed pictures, trees, or snowmen. Or it could be a pattern – plaids, for example, are a perfect winter accent to your home in addition to greenery. It could also be a color accent or a color combination theme – like white, gold, silver, or red. You can achieve these themes through décor, pillows, throws, rugs, curtains, and more.
Pictures courtesy of Country Living and Houszed, which incorporate the above tips:
With the first official day of winter starting next week, we hope these tips will help you to enjoy your space even more this year – especially as we’ll likely find ourselves home much more than we had planned. And, if you’d like some design help, please contact us for a design consultation. We’d be happy to help decorate your home to create the look and feel you’ve been dreaming of this winter.
