Do you want your interior decorating to feel like a warm hug? Are you striving for a cozy atmosphere with your family room décor? Do you want your house to be a place where everyone feels at home?
If you answered yes to any of those questions, then the words “cwtch” and “hygge” will resonate with you, too. These ideas can help you put feelings into practice as you design your favorite spaces. Let’s start with a vocabulary lesson before we dive into design inspiration based on these words.
Cwtch rhymes with “butch.” It’s a Welsh word that loosely means to cuddle. There is no literal translation in the English language, which simply shows us at Eastwood Homes that we need more cozy cuddling and hugs in our lives. It derives itself from the Middle English word “couche” which meant a resting or hiding place, so it also figuratively refers to a “safe place.” We love everything about the meaning behind this word and how it can tie into our homes.
Hygge is pronounced “hoo-gah” and is a “Danish expression that describes an attitude towards life that emphasizes finding joy in everyday moments,” according to the experts at HGTV. We don’t know about you, but we need more hygge in our lives, too!
These two words have remarkably different meanings, yet both translate into a happier space when associated with the design of our homes.
Cwtch and hygge are perfect expressions to explore as we enter the colder months. They seem to embody what we fondly call “sweater weather!” As we prepare for the holidays, and gatherings with family and friends, let’s explore how we can bring these notions home into our designs.
Just as cwtch means to cuddle, cozy blankets and cashmere throws bring the comforts of the hug to our couches and are perfect ways to cuddle even if we’re home alone! Choose items that are soft and comforting when adding accessories to your interior design. Go all in, and pick up a soft pair of socks the next time you’re out shopping. Woven rugs and tapestries can bring another layer of warmth to your floors and walls.
For us, there’s nothing better than forgetting the stresses of the day as we lose ourselves in the flames of a warm fire on a chilly night. Feeling its warmth surround us is very similar to a strong hug from a close friend or family member.
Candles can work as a great substitute (or addition) to a cozy fire and bring in the sense of smell to the experience of cwtch. Their fragrances can transport us to another time and place (like Grandma’s house when she’s baking an apple pie) while their warm glow will add to the cwtch atmosphere of your home. Light dimmers can also add another element to the overall coziness of a home.
Consider adding photos of your loved ones in your design to bring those feelings of a safe place to your home. Be sure to display them where you can see them every day. Include other happy memories and create an inspirational gallery wall. Adding inspiring messages to the walls of your home can also arouse feelings of warmth and safety in your home.
HGTV suggests that gatherings with our friends and family in our homes can be an excellent way to make your home feel warm and cozy, and help you find the joy in everyday moments. Consider having a dinner party, or even making it a monthly tradition to stay connected to those you love.
If you’re searching for ways to make your home a cozier, happier place this holiday season, the notions of cwtch and hygge in interior design can be an excellent place to start. How will you incorporate cwtch or hygge into your home this season? Let us know in the comments below!
When we think of Homecoming, the first things that come to mind are football, tailgating, fall, and the chance to win homecoming king and queen. We are proud to announce that our Richmond and Raleigh teams won big in the 2017 Parade of Homes this homecoming season!
Have you heard? The online giant, Amazon, plans to bring a new distribution center to Kannapolis, NC. The new $85 million distribution center will bring over 600 jobs to the area and plans to open its doors in 2019.
Did you know that because location matters to you, it matters to us? At Eastwood Homes, we take pride in selecting our new home communities based on your ideal setting. In the heart of Simpsonville, we know our Adams Mill community is where you want to live! Conveniently located with easy access to Woodruff Road, I-385, Highway 14, and Main Street Simpsonville, Adams Mill makes it easy to enjoy life!
