The Warmth of Hygge During Fall: 5 Ways to Create a Cozy Living Room
Discover 5 easy ways to create a cozy living room and embrace the warmth of hygge this fall. Transform your space into a haven of comfort and relaxation.
Officially introduced as an English word back in 2016, ‘hygge’ is a concept borrowed from the Danes. The people of Denmark are often considered to be among the happiest in the world. They are believed to live by hygge which represents a comfortable and cozy mood as a result of contentment and conviviality.
The Fall season can be sneaky at times, creeping silently until its roaring arrival. For the unprepared, this season is the harbinger of unexpected changes, early sunsets, and the smell of gloom in the atmosphere. Before one gets the time to adjust to this weather, winter blues set in.
Who other than the Danes could be the perfect warriors of changing seasons? With the fight for survival, the Danish people have preserved the art of creating intimacy through cozy spaces. This article will share a slice of that delicious pie. In other words, we will discuss five ways in which you can create a snug living room that invites more company during the chilly Fall (and beyond).
Grab Your Rugs and Blankets
The World Happiness Report states that happiness is closely tied to community spirit and social equality, both of which the Danes have in abundance. Moreover, these people do not have extremely high expectations in life.
Now, to those drowning in the American dream, that may sound unsettling. However, the truth is that there are just two ways to live life, one as if nothing is a miracle, and the other as if everything is. The only difference is that the latter makes life more enjoyable and fulfilling. This means such a difference is one at par with life and death.
The Danish people believe in living, not merely surviving or stretching it from one day to another. We will deal with the community spirit in a way because an inviting space can lead to more fun gatherings, with familiar and strange faces. Since the Fall is at the doors, you should begin with cozy rugs and warm blankets.
You can even decorate the couch with fuzzy mohairs in lovely textures and colors. A lot of times we are not even conscious of how our limbs search for a nearby throw blanket or a snug rug. After all, hygge is all about curling up on a couch and sharing great conversations and laughter with loved ones.
Keep it Calm and Neutral
In the previous point, we mentioned visually appealing textures and colors for the rugs and blankets. Let these cozy items be the focal point whilst the others establish a sense of cohesiveness with neutral colors.
The Knowledge Academy states that neutral tones are often associated with sophistication and timelessness. Moreover, they render a more sanctuary-like vibe to a space. This means you can introduce a bunch of grays, browns, whites, and other rich earthy tones.
Being easy on the eyes, neutral colors will impart a sense of calmness as they act as the backdrop to eye-popping trinkets and showpieces at the center.
Invest in Leather Furniture
We know that some people believe that leather couches have gone out of style and cannot make a space cozy but nothing could be further from the truth. San Francisco-based interior designer, Soledad Alzaga, states that leather furniture, especially couches, is a huge part of the ongoing trend of cozy interiors.
Such pieces are a standout choice and their versatility makes them ideal for all kinds of styles, including hygge. Head Springs Depot shares that leather couches can be available in a variety of types and colors. You can opt for single-seaters or multiple seating arrangements in calming neutral tones like olive green, coffee brown, cool gray, and more.
During winter months, you can cover the couch over and above throws, pillows, and blankets for an enhanced cozy appeal.
Reach out for the Candles
Do you know what the Danish term for candles literally means? Levende lys translates into ‘living light.’ Dim, mild lighting from natural sources has been a huge part of Danish homes for centuries. What else represents this culture other than candles and lanterns?
Even barring hygge, candles and other forms of soft lighting impart a more relaxed and unhurried pace to the living room. You are free to use a combination of flickering and ambient lighting for the desired ambiance. If possible, opt for luxuriously scented candles that will double up as fragrance boosters.
The serene natural light emanating from the candles will take the hygge of the space to the next level, especially when a soothing aroma is involved. Choose scents like vanilla, orange, or cedarwood.
Invite Nature Inside
This point stems from the previous one because Danish homes have always embraced all things natural. The more of nature you invite inside, the merrier everyone will be. The University of Cincinnati states that nature has the power to lower anxiety, reduce blood pressure, and improve immune function.
Sometimes, all the chaos and discord within a home are due to poor physical and mental health. These may also lead to withdrawal and social isolation. Since community spirit lends happiness, it’s important to ensure holistic well-being. This means you must bring in nature through hardy houseplants like Golden Pothos, Snake Plant, Lavender, and Jade.
In closing, we cannot leave out some aspects of Denmark’s culture that make it possible to host memorable living room parties. Be it a crowd of 2 or 20, don’t let your coffee machine sit idle. A sense of community is dependent on fulfilled coffee cravings, shared cakes, and hour-long conversations.
Hygge may sound extraordinary but it’s all about enjoying the ordinary pleasures of life. As you create a charming living space, look for simple delights and you will find warmth and company during the chilly days of Fall.