After the glorious summer we’ve just had, saying goodbye to warm, sun-drenched days can feel a little sad. The evenings draw in, the weather turns, and suddenly we find ourselves spending much more time at home.
But I think there’s something rather lovely about that, too.
Autumn gives us permission to slow down a little. To put the lamps on earlier, cook something warming, invite people around the table and make our homes feel like places we genuinely want to retreat to.
In Danish culture, there’s a word often associated with exactly this feeling: hygge.
Although hygge isn’t exclusively about autumn and winter – and certainly isn’t just about candles, cushions and hot drinks – the colder months give us a wonderful opportunity to embrace it. At its heart, hygge is about comfort, connection and being present enough to enjoy the small things.
And perhaps that’s why it resonates with me. So much of what we believe at Just Helpers comes back to the idea that our homes affect how we feel. A home doesn’t need to be perfect, immaculate or filled with expensive things. But when it feels calm and cared for, it can give us somewhere to exhale.
So, as autumn settles in, here are a few simple ways to bring a little more hygge into your home.
What is Hygge?
Hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-gah’ – go figure!) is a Danish and Norwegian word without an exact English equivalent.
Perhaps the simplest way to describe it is a feeling of comfort, contentment and connection. It encourages us to slow down, notice the small pleasures around us and spend time doing things that make us feel restored.
And importantly, hygge isn’t necessarily about being alone.
Some of the most hygge moments happen with other people: a long dinner with friends, coffee and cake with someone you love, a winter walk followed by something warm to drink, or everyone squashed onto the sofa watching a film.
But it can also be found in solitude – reading a book, cooking something slowly, lighting a candle or simply enjoying a quiet house.
For this article, we’re concentrating on hygge living in the home. So, when you’re ready to hunker down indoors, here are a few ways to create that feeling.
Minimalism With Soft Furnishings
Scandinavian interiors are often associated with simplicity rather than clutter, and there’s something to be said for that.
I know that when my surroundings feel chaotic, it’s much harder for me to switch off. And I suspect I’m not alone.
That doesn’t mean creating a minimalist show home or getting rid of everything you love. Quite the opposite. Your home should contain the books, photographs, records and objects that tell your story.
It’s more about dealing with the things that somehow accumulate on every available surface – the post, batteries, children’s toys, bags, paperwork and all those miscellaneous objects that never quite seem to have a home.
Spend a little time decluttering as autumn sets in. Clear a surface or two, organise a drawer, find homes for the things you use regularly and perhaps let go of some things you no longer need.
It also makes keeping your home clean considerably easier – something we obviously feel rather strongly about at Just Helpers!
Then bring the softness back in.
A blanket you genuinely love curling up under. Cushions that make the sofa more comfortable. A rug underfoot. These small changes can make a room feel warmer and more inviting without buying lots of new things.
That’s an important distinction for me. Hygge shouldn’t become another reason to consume. Often, creating a calmer home is about appreciating what we already have.
Lighting
Lighting can completely change how a room feels.
As the daylight hours shorten, try using several softer light sources rather than relying entirely on one bright overhead light.
Floor lamps, table lamps and wall lights can create little pools of warmth around a room. Obviously, there are times when you need proper lighting. Nobody wants to chop an onion in atmospheric gloom, but when you’re eating, reading, chatting or relaxing, softer lighting can help signal that the busy part of the day is over.
Candles and fairy lights are lovely too.
There’s something about lighting a candle in the early evening that marks a transition: work is finished, dinner is cooking, and home can become home again. This is one of my favourite daily moments about autumn and winter
Put on the lamp, light a candle, find the cosy socks and claim your favourite chair.
Summer suddenly doesn’t feel quite so far away.
Food
Nourishment in the colder months is important for both body and soul. Seek out food where the first mouthful makes you feel hugged. Simple stews, ramen enriched with immune-rich ginger, garlic and miso, curries, mashed potatoes smothered in gravy. Your body will use extra energy to stay warm in winter, so keep it fuelled.
More importantly, though, eat mindfully to invoke that sense of hygge into a meal. Savour every mouthful and minimise distractions to fully enjoy your food. Except when eating with friends and loved ones; then let it be loud with conversation and laughter, because being social is also an important part of hygge and, personally, I always feel most connected with others when we’re sharing good food.
When hosting dinner at your home, try to plan a meal where most of the prep can be done in advance so you can be with your guests. Or opt for a potluck dinner where everyone brings a dish. This makes for great family-style sharing and takes a lot of the pressure off. And one thing I discovered about hosting, is that people love to get involved. All adding to that collective hygge feel. Creating a good atmosphere is important too, so be sure to check out our article on The Anatomy of a Dinner Party Table.
When cooking for yourself and/or for your family, finding the time can be challenging. Especially if you’re getting home late from work and need to eat quickly. Plenty of recipes are available for quick-cook, nutrient-packed meals, and many people use cooking the evening meal as a chance to unwind from the workday and transition. However, a great hack for eating well in Autumn and winter is to invest in (or dust off) a slow cooker. With a slow cooker, you can prep and add your ingredients in advance, at a time that works for you, switch it on before you leave work and return to a healthy, hearty meal that’s not only ready to eat but has filled your house with that beautiful aroma of home-cooked food.
Hygge Living In The Autumn
Creating a more hygge home doesn’t require a shopping trip or an Instagram-worthy interior.
That’s probably the thing I’d most like people to take away from this.
It’s about noticing what makes home feel good.
A clear kitchen worktop. Clean bedding. A lamp instead of the big light. Something bubbling away for dinner. A favourite mug. Music playing. Friends around the table. Ten quiet minutes with a cup of tea.
Small comforts matter.
At Just Helpers, we talk a lot about bringing calm back into people’s homes. And I think hygge taps into something very similar. When our homes are cared for, they can become places that restore us rather than another source of things to do.
Of course, don’t spend the whole of autumn hibernating. Get outside. Walk through crunchy leaves. Meet someone for coffee. See the people you love. Come home cold and slightly windswept.
Then shut the door, put the kettle on and enjoy coming home.
Perhaps that’s my favourite definition of hygge after all: being present enough to appreciate the people, life and the home you already have.
