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We time

My favorite tenet of Hygge is “We time, not me time.” Yes, laying in a hammock or curling up in a reading corner (two of my favorite solo past times) ARE cozy, but the truest forms of hygge are shared with people you love. That’s why when intentional togetherness becomes part of your personal values or family culture, hygge (and probably a little bickering 😏) isn’t far behind.

Let your goal be to create cozy, welcoming spaces, then intentionally carve out time to fill them with the laughter, vulnerability and warmth of shared meals, conversation and real relationship. Focus on the “we.”

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Simple ways to hygge

One way I like to cozy up a room is by adding an element or two that FEEL excessive but really aren’t:

– A faux fur throw (you bought at Big Lots. Our secret.)
– Salted Kerry Gold over everyday real butter and definitely over margarine. *shudder* (You can buy the Gold at Trader Joe’s these days! And they sell their own grass-fed version there now too.)
– A stack of 3-4 books on your coffee table instead of one huge one
– Lighting a candle or two in the middle of the day instead of only on “special occasions.” An impromptu coffee drop-in from a friend is special. YOU at home on a Saturday, unshowered and wearing yoga pants — special! (Speaking of candles, I love cinnamon or fir scented at Christmas and Volcano from Anthropologie the rest of the year, but you can even use a taper if you want to feel extra swag!) These “splurges” cost very little and make a big impact. I promise, you won’t regret buying these tiny luxuries for a second.

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Mug club

What’s cozier than a hot cup of coffee or your favorite tea? Sipping from a mug that puts a smile on your face. A few years ago I created a rule that going forward I would only buy white dishes or servingware so they’d all match and I could use them for any occasion. (White is timeless and it super simplified my stash.) BUT I draw the line at accessories. In our kitchen you’ll find superhero drinking glasses, printed salad bowls and patterned ramekins. Bend the rules for things that bring you joy, I say.

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What is a Coziness Consultant? So glad you asked.

I’m often asked “So what does a Coziness Consultant do?” The answer? A little bit of everything. I’m not an interior designer, although I design interiors. I’m not a professional organizer, although I regularly help people reorder their spaces to make them more practical, intuitive and family-friendly. Here’s the bottom line…

A few years ago my husband and I took a good, long look at what we wanted our lives to be about. We wrote down our personal values and began asking questions about how they translated into our everyday life. We wanted our home to be inviting; a soft place to land. We wanted to host dinner parties and create art and facilitate connection and vulnerability. We wanted to simplify our everyday living so we could focus on what was most important to us. But in order to make this a reality, we were going to have to fix a few things. It started with incremental changes that have piled up into something beautiful, worth while, and flawed in the sweetest ways. Today, anything I buy is intentional… so that every detail exists to create the cozy, personal, welcoming space reflective of the people we really are.

In full disclosure, I’m a freelance copywriter by day. Consulting on coziness is a passion turned position… and I couldn’t be more grateful. So now, what do you need? A mudroom that’s less cluttered and more efficient? A warmer living room? An all-out home renovation? I’m just the sort of friend to help you give these plans some life.

 

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