Embracing hygge: tips for creating a cosy interior with FibreGuard

It’s February and it’s hard to resist the urge to hunker down with a good book in the cosiest spot you can find. But what are the best ways to cosy up your home as the colder weather drags on?

Inspired by the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ we’re sharing home décor ideas to create a warm and welcoming sanctuary. Whether you’ve got a huge house or a tiny apartment, we’ve got tips on how to dial up the cosy factor with our PFAS-free performance fabrics.

What does 'cosy decor' mean to you?

One thing’s for sure, creating a cosy home is a fundamentally personal experience. What feels cosy for some, can feel equally overwhelming for someone else.

So, it’s important to make sure you select elements that will make you feel happy, soothed and cocooned when you’re creating cosy corners in your home. The rule is, if a fabric, rug or accessory feels relaxing to you, then that’s the one you should choose.

“We want people to feel like they can just take off their shoes and shake off the formalities of the day. For living rooms, I like to create warm, spacious rooms, that help you to unwind, whether that be through the use of scenic wallpapers that you can get lost in, soft and subtly glamorous velvet upholstery or choosing soft curved sofas. It’s all about creating a balance of colour and tone and texture, and, of course, lighting.” – Interior designer Susie Atkinson of London-based Studio Atkinson

Creating cosy rooms: tip 1 – zone your space

Big on space?

Create a cosy zone in your home with the use of paint, wallpaper or fabric wall hangings to colour-block a particular corner. Add in textural layers in the form of upholstery fabric, cushions and throws to achieve a welcoming haven.

“Layering cushions in different patterns and textures is a great way to instantly make a room feel cosy. Budget allowing, we tend to use curtains rather than blinds to soften a window frame – it’s another way to bring in more fabric.” – Nicole Salvesen from interior design studio Salvesen Graham

Our textured FibreGuard bouclé fabrics are the perfect choice for adding comfort and interest to cosy corners of your home. Combine them with on-trend, rounded sofa shapes for a contemporary aesthetic.

Not much space?

If space is at a premium, don’t forget to use vertical as well as horizontal space when you’re creating your chill-out area. Artwork and shelving positioned above the seating can help create the illusion of a distinct zone which feels separate from the rest of the room.

When it comes to colours for winter, our advice is to reflect the natural world with mellow shades such as soft aubergine, burnt orange and muddy brown. Bring in textural elements such as house plants and accessories in rattan, bamboo or wicker to add to the nature-inspired look.

Related Read: The cosiest interior design ideas we’ve ever had for your autumn refresh

Creating cosy rooms: tip 2 – curate conversation-friendly spaces

Big on space?

If you want your cosy zone to be more about catching up with loved ones than hanging out on your own, you need to design a space that will encourage your guests to kick back and relax. Forget about the TV, and instead arrange seating around a focal point such as a fireplace so that the chat flows easily.

“When considering the layout of the room, designate spaces that feel cosy and facilitate conversation. Build the room around centrepieces like sofas or lounge chairs with rounded corners and plush seats, and add some comfortable linen or polyester chenille to the main pieces of furniture. These accents look great with natural woods, tropical wicker, leather basket weaving or rattan inlay.” – Noelle Isbell, founder and principal of Noelle Interiors, Manhattan Beach, California

Not much space?

Floor cushions are the answer if you want to hang out with your pals in a small space. Combine them with cosy, woollen throws to create a den-like feel. And try stacking together multiple cushions of varying shades to create a zone that is both sociable and visually appealing.

Velvet is your friend when it comes to creating an enticing hang-out space. With its luxurious feel, sumptuously soft velvet cushions will encourage your friends to sink down and relax as they catch up with all the news.

Related Read: How to create your own emotional escape room sanctuary

Creating cosy rooms: tip 3 – relax in a welcoming book nook

Big on space?

If reading is your favourite way to relax, why not create a dedicated book nook? You could allocate a corner of a bedroom to your love of books, or even an entire room. A large, comfortable armchair and footstool are essential, as is library-style shelving to ensure your favourite reads are always close at hand.

Bringing it back to hygge décor, the key is to find upholstery fabrics that will welcome you into their embrace so you can quickly shake off the working day. The touchably soft world of chenille fabrics can do just this. FibreGuard’s high performance chenilles are feather soft to the touch and available in a wide range of attractive colours too!

Not much space?

If space is limited, why not create a portable book nook in the form of a book cart that can be wheeled to wherever you need it? Make sure your favourite chair is also on castors, and then you can move both your seating and your reading material to the sunniest or quietest spot in the house – according to your mood.

Another option might be to fit a reading nook under the stairs. Upholstered seating can be built in, as well as shelving and even lighting to create a mini ‘room’ in an unused area of your home.

Check out more tips on how to create a cosy haven in your home on our Pinterest board.