10 ways to make your ho... - Financial Unions

In 2017 'Hygge' appeared in the Oxford English dictionary. Their definition being "the quality of being warm and comfortable that gives a feeling of happiness."

In the depths of winter, Denmark gets about seven hours of daylight, and there is little wonder why they embrace Hygge to get them through the dark months. Here in Ireland, we could also do with feeling that spark of warmth and happiness as the clocks fall back.

Here are a few ideas to make your home cosier this autumn.

Draughts

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Yes, this is your nanna talking. Track that cold air down and block it out. I fitted a new door bristle skirting on my front door, and I put keyhole covers on. This is so cheap to do and made a huge difference to the warmth of our hallway. Another option is putting a curtain across the front door.

While I am at this section – might be time to insulate the attic, bleed the radiators and put up a chimney balloon if you aren't using it. I always remember The Gaff Goddess, Laura de Barra, suggesting fitting your radiators with thermostats so you can control your heat in each individual rooms - in the long run this saves you money.

Reorganising

Our needs in autumn and winter are different to that of spring and summer. We tend to gravitate towards the fire and the TV in the colder months. Fire logs, wood and firelighters can be placed in nice wicker style baskets. I have recently seen lovely ones in Søstrene & Grene, Dunnes Stores and Penney's.

Lying on the sofa is a daily requirement so you might as well make it comfy and nice to look at. I noticed Pieces have a great sale on the minute for sofas and the mustard one in particular has taken my fancy. If you follow Grainne Gillett on Instagram you see how she got herself a gorgeous floral sofa second hand for €150.

The kitchen can also do with a little freshen up. We eat heartier foods in winter and a nice display can be as simple as putting your pulses, grains and pasta in glass jars. Reorganise the cookbooks and clear off the table. A simple tablecloth can add a nice feeling of warmth and cosiness to your room.

Blankets

I never sit on the sofa without putting a blanket on my lap. Irish companies I love include Cushendale, John Hanly and McNutts of Donegal. The store Scout in Temple Bar in Dublin embodies the cosy autumn winter wear in their stock from their blankets by IB Laursen and water bottles by Donna Wilson.

Lighting

Generally, while we are home in autumn, the lights are on when we go out in the morning and come back in the evening. I hate harsh bright lighting and prefer the lower wattage. I place lamps in the corner of rooms, reading lights by the bed and dimmable dinner table lighting. It makes everything look a little better.

My all-time favourite lighting suppliers is Finnish Design Shop which have regular discount sales if you sign up to their mailing list. I bought our hanging dining table lightshade from Muuto when they had a 20% sale. I love the simplicity of Hay Design rice paper lanterns which are hugely popular in the Nordic countries. Their neutral colour, add a sense of simplicity and texture to any room and are relatively inexpensive.

Ikea and Dunnes stores do their own version of the paper lanterns. Industry & Co on Drury Street in Dublin have lovely lightshades, cords and lamps. Handle Craft have lovely light switches and if money was no option I'd order myself a Louis Poulsen glass bauble shade.

Rugs

Large and small rugs add texture, warmth and colour to a room. Oversized rugs that go under the bed add a little bit of luxury. Shaggy rugs are lovely on your feet in the bedroom, but I would still go for more flatweave in the living room and hallway. Rug Vista have a section called Scandinavian rugs which will give you the Hygge look you may desire.

For kids rooms you can get playful, and IKEA's hedgehog rug does just that. I am even a fan of a little carpet runner in the kitchen by the cooker to make it cosier under your feet while cooking. I drool over Dakota Johnson's kitchen regularly and she uses a large rug on her floor.

Autumn tones to look out for are the traditional beige, white, browns, dark greens and dark reds rugs. Cushions Our living room is pretty plain, and I add colour with my prints and cushions. I have always loved Habitat cushions, Penney's, Dunnes Stores, Carolyn Donnelly and if I ever wanted to invest I'd go to Nordic Elements for their Christina Lundsteen cushions. The Hailey cushion in particular is gorgeous.

Candles

Low lighting and candles are the autumn dream. My personal favourite is to light chandelier candles which are unscented on the mantel piece in a bright coloured holder from Flying Tiger. If you have an empty fireplace place add huge pillar white candles on the grate for warmth and it will give the room a focal point.

An Instagram account that embodies Irish Hygge cosiness is Orlaith Donlon. I love seeing her light her candles and baking on a rainy autumn day. Irish companies have been really making their mark on the candle scene in recent years. Pigeon House candles for their Poolbeg unscented candle sticks, D8 Design Co, Somas to Rathborne are just some Irish companies to support. I also like to nip into Flying Tiger for their coloured candlesticks and Hay Design Pillar Candles from Industry & Co.

Reading nook

I wish my kids would read more but that doesn't stop me from creating my own reading nook in the kitchen. I've got a custom-built window seat (made by Hanrahan Joinery) in the kitchen and am in the process of getting a thin bench cushion made. I love nothing more than to read the newspapers on a rainy Sunday morning. Similar can be done in an unused dark corner in your house. Add beanbags and battery powered candles and lamps for a children's nook where they can read or play Lego.

Bathroom

A few simple autumn-coloured towels and a nice scented candle will do wonders for your bathroom. I got a lovey checked bathmat from Penney's and Zara Home have mats with lovely, muted tones.

Deep Clean

Finally, ending on a basic note but one way to create calmness to your home for the autumn is to deep clean carpets, rugs, stair runners and cushions. If the sofa has seen better days spruce it up by buying a new cover or a nice huge throw.

I am renting a carpet cleaner from Hire Here in Dublin 8 to do it myself for a fraction of the cost. They show you how to do everything before you leave the shop and all it will set you back is €33 and a bit of elbow grease.

Follow Danielle Farrelly on Instagram at @theedit.ie

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10 ways to make your home cosy this autumn