There’s something very special in the air at this time of the year. A crisp autumn breeze, crackling fires and crisping leaves floating delicately towards the ground - it inspires many people to celebrate this picturesque season and embrace the cosiness that comes with it. The cooler seasons do mean less sunlight and maybe more rainy days, but do not fear, we know how you can still make your soul happy even when the sun has set, by adopting some simple lifestyle habits to warm the cockles.

Do you know what that word is that encompasses this warm fuzzy feeling?

It’s the danish word ‘hygge’

Hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah") means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge. Cosying up with a loved one with a fluffy blanket for a movie – that’s hygge, too. And there's nothing more hygge than sitting around with friends and family, discussing the big and small things in life over a home cooked meal and roaring log fire.

As experts at Round the Woods in providing cosy holiday accommodation we show you how you can embrace the hygge style in your own home and life, and why it’s so good for the soul. We’ll also give you ideas and inspiration that will make you feel cosy from the inside out…

Hygge could be a good book, candlelight and a cup of hot cocoa

So, this Danish concept cannot be translated to one single word, but, it encompasses a feeling of cosy contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life. So, how can we bring these into our homes and offices?

Here are our top eight hygge tips and tricks that will set your soul on fire:

Transform your working environment

Many of us are still working from home which can be a good or bad thing. Chances are, if you didn’t already have a designated office space, you are just working anywhere you can that has some space and a chair!

Why not make your working space hygge by adding a flower pot or plant, add a few pots or boxes to hide that clutter (think clear desk, clear mind!) and pop a photograph of a loved one in a nice frame. Make this space a happy and inspiring one that you look forward to visiting.

Enjoy reading and create a magical reading area

Whether you prefer fiction or non-fiction, a book has the power to teleport you into a whole new world, and what better way to do this than creating a cosy reading environment? light some candles or the log fire, grab a hot cup of tea and a fluffy blanket and sit in your favourite spot in the house or garden.

You could even make your own DIY reading teepee complete with fairy lights - check out Pinterest for more inspiration (it’s a great idea for yourself or even the kids!). Why not combine your cosy reading time with a book dedicated to hygge - ‘A little book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well’ by Melk Miking is a lovely read.

Have a dinner party and enjoy home cooked food

With the typical British weather, we all know rain is inevitable and you may find yourself googling ‘what to do on a rainy day?’. But we have a really simple answer to that - make a real song and dance of a home cooked meal to enjoy with friends and family. Make this meal time interactive by having a cheese or chocolate fondue or even ‘make your own pizza’ that will involve everyone the process of creating a delicious meal.

Mealtimes don’t have to be rushed, they can be prolonged with breaks, board games, wine and several courses that allows people to chat and interact. (End the TV dinners I say!) Enjoying time with friends and family is good for the soul and is great for developing relationships.

Embrace the cooler seasons and take advantage of this stunning time of year

Yes, it may be cold and the sunlight is limited, but my word, the autumnal and winter sunsets are ones to behold and capture in your memories. When there’s a clear day, why not get up early for sunrise to watch the sun light up the countryside, or stay outside late with a crackling fire pit and enjoy the dancing sunsets - oranges, reds, and golden hues fill the sky.

Go for a country walk and pop on those wellies - it’s the best time for burnt orange trees and the crisping of leaves under your feet. Remember to connect with nature and listen to the beautiful sounds around you!

Transform your environment with gorgeous lighting

Utilise lighting and candles to create serenity, a particular mood, and avoid harsh, bright lighting. If you ask a Danish person, they're likely to tell you that candles are the most important part of creating a ‘hyggelig’ atmosphere in your home.

So turn off that unflattering overhead lamp and light some pretty and scented candles (you could even make some yourself!). Light a fire or even a crackling fire LED background with noise to create that warm atmosphere and enjoy watching the embers dance around. Grab yourself some pretty fairy lights to hang around certain areas of your house to add that sparkle and subtle lighting to create that hygge home.

Add fairy lights and candles for calm lighting

Surround yourself with comfortable textures

Choose furniture or furnishings that are comfortable and nice to touch - there’s nothing worse than an unwelcoming and hard stool for you or your guests to sit on all night. Add textures and colours by adding cushions or throw blankets. Whether you go for a chunky knit, weighted blanket, or heated throw, having something soft to wrap around yourself is a must. As are oversized sweaters and thick socks (really, anything knitted), which also make things way more hygge.

Textures in interior design are essential as they create layers and add an eye-catching splash. Thinking about being cosy and warm? The first thing that springs to mind is soft and plush textures such as fur rugs, chunky knitted throws and woven blankets. The simplest way to combine textures is by incorporating raw materials into your home, exposing elements you may have tried to conceal in the past, such as wooden floorboards and exposed brick walls. Copper is the cosiest metal and brings a snug and warm feeling to a space; therefore, a copper pendant is a perfect addition to a hygge inspired abode.

Discover and play with different textures

Get back to basics and disconnect from your technology

If there is one thing that isn’t hygge, it’s your mobile phone. Switch off all the technology in your house and sit around a roaring fire, turn off the lights, light some candles and play games with your friends and family.

Open that bottle of wine and enjoy the company you have without a single bit of electricity or technology around you. Why not take the kids camping or glamping to enjoy the off grid lifestyle and all that comes with it. Go fishing or wild swimming, light a BBQ and cook your supper on it, camp under the stars or roast some marshmallows around the fire!

Outdoor fire pit and roasting marshmallows

Hygge Christmas

Christmas itself is a very hygge time of year with many of the above elements already in play from candles, fairy lights and fires, to family, friends and home cooked food. So, how can we go that one step further… Why not make your own Christmas decorations with friends or the kids or even hand make some lovely Christmas gifts such as flavoured alcohol, hot chocolate sets or knit something cosy for them to wear?

Bring natural materials into your home for Christmas decorations - think springs of Holly, Ivy, pine cones and wooden tree ornaments.

Try dividing up Christmas food prep to each family member so that the stress factor is eliminated? Think green, think recycled, think homemade and hand crafted! You could even book a magical trip away to a cabin that already has a Christmas feel to it!

Round The Woods Willow Roundhouse Cabin at Christmas

Fancy embracing that hygge lifestyle at a luxury glamping site?

Willow Roundhouse is the epitome of hygge, with a roaring fire, woollen blankets and soft furnishings. Enjoy a candlelit dinner in this cosy cabin with a panoramic view of nature and the calming sounds of rain on the skylight. Connect around a board game or roast marshmallows around the campfire under the starry skies. You’ll leave feeling relaxed and full of energy after a stay at Round the Woods - the perfect place to embrace the hygge lifestyle and switch off from technology. Visit our website to learn more about our roundhouse accommodation open all year round and perfect for cosy winter luxury glamping in Norfolk!

Article written by Free To Be Creative

How to be ‘hygge’