Interior Stylist Hannah Raven-Wright Shares Her Tips For A Cosy Home
Cosiness is an art that the Danes take very seriously. Hygge is the practice of peaceful comfort, and it is a feeling that humans inherently long for and need. A restorative practice which comes into its own in darker, chillier months, it conjures images of finding warmth and quiet, while a storm lashes outside. And though temperatures remain in their 30s here in UAE, we are still longing to create that cosy feeling in our homes as we shovel ice into our gingerbread lattes.
All you really need to create Hygge is a cosy corner and a cup of tea. If you want to have some fun with some seasonal touches, you can try dried stems and Autumnal sprigs. Brown and orange eucalyptus provide a long-lasting flash of flame-coloured beauty to a dining table, kitchen island or console. Tea lights in frosted or cracked glass jars add warmth and can carry a space through until the festive season.
Add tall, tapered candles in bronze or black holders to bring a touch of winter drama. Accessories such as coffee table trays and vases in wood, wicker, stone, and glass bring an earthy nod to the season. Throws instantly soften up a room, and the market has an abundance of options – from a cosy AED100 blanket, or a AED1,500 pure cashmere throw for ultra-indulgence. Seasonal styling is no longer solely reserved for Christmas time.
No Hygge haven is complete without ambient lighting, so swap the ‘big light’ for lamps, and choose warm bulbs rather than white ones.
There’s something about having a tidy house, fresh loungewear, and lighting a new candle that makes you feel a sense of calm and cosying up on the sofa (with the AC switched up a notch) can fill that chilly-weather void. Now all that’s left to do is find your favourite cup and put the kettle on.