Where colour meets cosy: how to hygge your home for autumn

Autumn is in full swing, and the crunch of leaves underfoot remind us that cosy season has officially arrived. Here at Kettlewell we have a huge appreciation for the changes in colours, energy and mood as we shift through the seasons each year – after all, the seasons are the inspiration and the anchor for each of our four colour palettes, which are at the root of everything we do!

We love Autumn – perhaps the easiest season of all to translate into a colour palette; the landscape is painted with rich reds and earthy oranges, and the chillier temperatures have us hankering for cosiness and home comforts. A word that we often see bandied around to describe exactly this is the rather peculiar term ‘hygge’.

What is Hygge? 

Hygge is a concept that was derived from the Danish lifestyle, and has found its way into the Oxford Dictionary with the definition: ‘a quality of cosiness & comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being’ – simply put, Hygge is the obsession with all things cosy and comfortable.

As anyone who has experienced our butter soft Silky range, or our cloud like Cashmere Gauze Stoles can attest, we are all about the cosy and the comfortable here. But it’s not just about the clothes when it comes to this deep seated sense of comfort, wellbeing and warmth, which is why we wanted to share our top seven simple tips to welcome hygge into your home this autumn. From peaceful palettes to tranquil textures, we’ve got you covered for your best autumn yet.

Wondering how to pronounce it? Apparently most English speakers don’t quite nail it, but it’s more like ‘hugh-ga’ than ‘higgi’.

1. Comfort is Key:

Are you sitting comfortably? No, seriously. Our home should epitomise our comfort zone; creating a warm and cosy space to snuggle up in is the key! Think fluffy throws, plush pillows and low lighting.

Hygge celebrates wellness, and when we’re feeling a little under the weather or lacking motivation, we pine for our snug surroundings to recharge. Whether that’s curling up in bouncy bedding or settling onto the sofa – comfort certainly is key.

2. Serene Scents: 

Of all our senses, scent is the most able to instantly affect our mood. A scent can bring a sense of serenity; the whiff of warm cinnamon buns or the aroma of orange essential oils can fill the room with calm.

A collection of candles is a great way to experience the diffusion of delicious scents and the soft, flickering glow creates an atmosphere unlike any created by electric lighting. Placing candles in the darker corners of your living space will lift the level of cosiness without adding harsh brightness.

3. Peaceful Palettes: 

Cameo Marl Connie Sweater | Pink Ice Cotton Rib Shirt | Dove Grey Short Ponte Skirt

We’re certainly advocates for finding your perfect palette – a combination of colours that compliment your individuality and leave you feeling fresh & bright! So why not transfer this to your interior?

Hygge culture celebrates the neutral palette, and we know the power of colour analysis helps us to uncover our individual neutrals! Try introducing yours to your living space and explore how to hygge in your own unique way.

We’ve found that even without knowing about seasonal palettes, interiors often match our seasonal palettes – our founder Melissa’s house is a beautiful blend of her light, warm Spring palette (with plenty of colour splashes!), combined with the soft, light and blended feel of husband John’s Summer palette.

4. Relaxing Reads:

Relaxation starts, of course, in the mind – the most peaceful home in the world won’t feel restful if your mind is whirring! What better way to switch off from the responsibilities of reality than reading a good book?!

Whilst the gloomy autumnal days and darker nights encourage us to stay cooped up inside, a good book can lift you into a whole new world. Whether you favour fictional fantasy or have a penchant for poetry, reading can provide a level of escapism that encompasses what it means to ‘hygge’.

Here are some of our teams favourite reads at the moment:

Jo (Lead Stylist) – Iris Apfel: Accidental Icon by Iris Apfel

Diane (Senior Graphic Designer) – The Little Book of Colour by Karen Haller

Sophie (Product Design Assistant) – The Wedding Season by Katy Birchall 

5. Nestle into Knitwear: 

Cappuccino Cashmerino Stripe Sweater

While relaxing the mind matters, it’s simply not possible to feel comfortable without comfortable clothes, and we are huge fans of a cosy knit.

As well as our bestselling merino (if you’ve ever thought that you can’t wear wool, try this before giving up – butter soft and silky smooth), we love the cosiness of our new Cashmerino, which combines the luxury of cashmere with the smoothness and warmth of merino wool.

Prefer a ‘proper’ wool? Our Albany Coatigan is made of the softest, lightest lambswool, and its ‘is it a cardigan, is it a coat?’ warmth and cosiness will keep you toasty all year round.

6. Textures of Tranquility: 

Texture in the home can be soothing, bringing the feel of nature into our space and softening the harsh corners and straight lines of a manmade environment.

Experiment with thick cable knit throws, wood grain, linen sheets and velvet cushions to bring a sense of depth and texture into your space. And don’t forget the blanket in your favourite colour, draped on the back of the sofa for an impromptu cosy evening!

7. A Cup of Calm: 

There’s simply nothing to beat a hot drink to warm body and soul. Whether you’re welcoming in the morning or warming up after an evening walk, wrapping your hands around a hot mug will provide a sense of warmth and tranquillity on even the chilliest of days.

We love Grind coffee machines for instant brilliant coffee (if you visit our Colour Studio, this is the coffee you’ll be served!) – the pods are fully home compostable! Our favourite teas come from Bird & Blend, who have a huge range of flavours including Sticky Chai and Earl Grey Rooibos! And don’t forget the power of a good hot chocolate; we love the rich flavours of Harth Hot Chocolate for a quality cup of cocoa.

Happy Hygge-ing! 

Autumn is the perfect companion season to begin to explore the idea of hygge, and the crunch of leaves underfoot is a welcome reminder that the slow flow of the season is well and truly upon us; shorter days, cosy evenings and candlelight.

But does the autumn palette hold the hues for your hygge? We firmly believe that surrounding yourself with your own seasonal palette is the key to feeling calm, comfortable and cosy. So why not try our clever colour quiz to discover which seasonal palette belongs to you, and begin to surround yourself in colours that bring hygge home to you.