Over the past few years, the concept of ‘Hygge’ has become increasingly popular. It is a Danish and Norwegian concept that embodies a feeling of cosiness and comfort. It is often associated with the notion of creating a warm, inviting and comfortable living environment through a minimalist and functional approach.
Having grown up in the country, this is an approach that appeals to me. Relaxing in a cosy living room with a roaring log fire is a great feeling. Unfortunately I don’t have a log fire these days, so I have to do with an electric one instead.
Furniture can also play a big role in creating a cosy and inviting living space. I like having pieces of furniture in my living room that are made from natural wood. There are items I have made such as my small circular coffee table, a small shelf and my television stand. I used an oak beeswax to finish off these pieces and give them a natural look. I take comfort from these small pieces of furniture and they make the space more inviting to me personally.
Paintings and artwork can also help to create a more personalised feel. I have paintings on my wall that are a reminder of places that are important to me – Pendle Hill, the Lake District and Ewood Park. This helps to make me feel more relaxed.
Studies show that having natural wood indoors can help to reduce stress levels and create a feeling of being closer to nature. Creating a calming space within my home is a goal, to have a space where I can switch off. Some of the small woodworking projects I’ve undertaken have been as a result of aiming towards creating this calming atmosphere in my home.
I’ve added small wooden cladding feature walls in my kitchen, hallway, bedroom and bathroom. I feel like these all add to an overall theme and tie some of the rooms together. I like adding these small details to reduce the amount of white, empty space.
My living space is still a work in progress. I have enjoyed making small pieces of furniture that add character and create a narrative. I didn’t initially set out with the intention of following some of the concepts from ‘Hygge’. But I feel like I have discovered some of them along the way.