There’s something wonderfully romantic about winter. While the days are short and the temperature is freezing, the warmth of the human spirit always seems to endure–at least until around February or so.
The cold, while its drawbacks are obvious, has one thing going for it — a striking ability to make people appreciate being warm and comfortable, something that is often taken for granted otherwise. After being exposed to frigid winter temperatures, there’s nothing more inviting than the great indoors.
So, in that spirit, why not capitalize on this heightened appreciation of comfort, making your home feel extra cozy and inviting this winter? In fact, the Danish and Norwegians have a word for this, called Hygge (hyoo-guh): a cozy quality that makes a person feel content and comfortable.
If you want to add a little more hygge into your home this winter, you’re in luck. With just a few tips and tricks, you can make your home feel more inviting than ever! Here’s how to get started:
Incorporate Wood and Natural Elements Into Your Home
Natural-looking elements, such as wood and clay, tend to bring us a sense of comfort. What’s more, studies show that bringing natural elements inside can have a positive impact on your mental health, which is often much-needed in the winter. Incorporating plenty of natural or stained wood furniture into your home can bring a positive sense of warmth. Wood decor also works in the same way, so be on the lookout for any wooden knick knacks or decorations that catch your eye. Wooden trays make a perfect spot for keeping all of your warm and fuzzy go-tos, like a mug of tea, a favorite book and a scented candle.
Don’t Be Shy With the Throw Blankets
Blankets are about the coziest thing imaginable, so it should come as no surprise that they made the list. Throw blankets not only look inviting to the naked eye, but quite literally offer warmth and comfort. They also come in a wide variety of textures, which is a major point of emphasis in hygge. Soft, fluffy textiles promote good hygge and contrast nicely with wood, adding a pleasant balance of textures to your space.
As a side note, don’t be afraid to display your throw blankets. It can be tempting to store them away, but showcasing them can add a pleasing visual to your space. Because you can never have too many blankets (especially if you live in cold environments — looking at you Minnesotans and Coloradans…), you can bring in new colors, patterns and textures to your home through blankets and store the rest for when they’re needed.
Accentuate the Fireplace With Decorations
Much like blankets, fireplaces are just naturally cozy. However, that’s not to say they can’t look even cozier with a few special touches. If you want to make your fireplace look extra inviting, try decorating the mantle with candles to enhance the mood lighting even further (beyond the crackling fire). Fireplace mantles are also a great place to incorporate some of those natural wood elements we mentioned earlier. Wooden candlesticks, knick knacks, books or bowls will always provide an elegant, peaceful look in your home.
If you’re concerned about your fireplace safety or have curious kids or animals, setting candles off differing sizes in the fireplace can be a safe spot to set candles and provide a romantic air without having to clean the flue.
Plants and Flowers
Bringing some greenery into the home can help to promote hygge, whether it’s natural or artificial. Garland and wreaths feel particularly appropriate for the winter months, adding comfort while achieving that perfect ‘holiday’ look.
It’s also never the wrong time to have flowers in the house (tell that to your husband), which bring a lot of natural beauty to your home. Let’s not forget about the wonderful floral scents, either!
Candles
We already touched on the use of candles, but they certainly don’t have to be tethered to the fireplace! In fact, candles can be scattered throughout the home, providing you find appropriate places for them.
Candles create such a rich atmosphere, radiating a warm, gentle glow throughout the room. Whether you prefer scented or unscented candles, they’re sure to provide you and your guests with comfort.
Cozy Pillows
Who doesn’t love pillows? They’re fluffy, comfortable, and available in a bunch of great designs! Want holiday or seasonal pillows? Easy! Want fuzzy, furry pillows? No problem!
See what sort of pillows you can find to cozy up your space. Start playing around with size and material, mixing and matching pillows to add layers of texture to your space. The right mix of pillows will look interesting and inviting at the same time.
If you like a more symmetrical look, get an even number of identical pillows to balance out the use across your space. If you’re into whimsy or asymmetry, mix up the colors, patterns and textures used, as long as they all pull in color that’s similar to the rest of the room so it won’t stand out too much.
Large Area Rug
If your home has hard flooring, even beautiful wood flooring, you’ll want to introduce some plushness to the space with a large area rug. Rugs work not because they cover up the floor, but because they look and feel so plush, mellowing out hard surfaces.
Rugs can also add (physical) warmth, prevent echos, and ground spaces. A well-placed rug can help to anchor the furniture in a room, creating purposeful, cozy gathering areas. So go ahead and buy a rug that compliments your space — you won’t regret it!
Warm Art and Wall Hangings
When it comes to art, the most important thing is that you love it! Your appreciation for the artwork will bring you comfort, and that’s what matters most, right?
However, there are a few rules of thumb to consider when picking out art. First of all, don’t get too intense with the colors. Extremely bright and cool colors can be a distraction in the room, taking away from the feeling of tranquility. Instead, find a piece of art with warm or more subdued colors, preferably fitting in with the rest of the décor.
A fabric wall hanging is also a great choice for introducing warmth into a room, as the textile material will soften up the wall space.
If you’re interested in turning your home into a retreat from harsh winter weather, get started at Turn Style today! You never know what sort of cozy, comfortable items may be waiting for you.
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