Cosy up your home with Hygge this winter 

Hygge is becoming increasingly popular and there are many articles and books being published on the concept. Roughly translated Hygge means cosiness but it is more than that, Hygge is all about creating a sense of comfort and well-being. It is very much a feeling and finding of joy in the simple present pleasures of everyday life from watching the sunrise to sharing a meal good conversation with friends.

So, what has all this go to do with interior design? Well creating a Hygge feeling at home is very popular right now and as we sit here in the depths of winter, this feels the ideal time to add a bit of Sandinavian cosiness to your home. After all the Danes are said to be one of the happiest nations, despite living with long dark winters, so it must be worth a try!

Adding a bit of Hygge to your home will transform your house into a sanctuary and a place where you can truly unwind and feel rested. Here are a few simple tips to give you that warm glow inside and out:

•Make your living space a delight to your senses with soft furnishings in natural fibres such as wool and linen. Add in some faux fur throws, chunky knit cushions and fluffy rugs.

•Make the most of natural light in the day time, by paining walls in white of light neutral tones and hanging lace and soft voiles at your windows. Use mirrors and glass to reflect light around a room

•At night, rather than harsh artificial lights, use plenty of candles and a crackling fire to create a cosy atmosphere despite the dark. Even in the daytime, candles can bring a great sense of well-being to your home.

•Introduce nature into your home with plants, fresh flowers , berries, bark, twigs, lavender etc to lift spirits and create a sense of calm.

The whole aim is for a feeling of contentment within your home. You don’t need to spend a fortune but focus on items that deliver a sense of joy and well-being. This could be a beautiful bunch of fresh flowers, pinecones collected from a recent country walk or lavender collected from your garden. Happiness is at the heart of Hygge so add items that conjure up happy memories such as paper snowflakes or hanging winter bunting. These simple touches create a home that is warm and inviting....and you know you have got it right when your guests smile as they walk through your door!