Snuggling up for winter with these top cold-weather comforts
May 29, 2017
“Hyggelig’’ is the Danish word for cozy. If there is any nation in the world that experiences the true meaning of cold and winter, it is the Danish folk, and this nation has the pursuit of coziness down to a ‘T’.

The word “hygge” is translated as the quest of winter comforts including candlelight, fires, fuzzy knitted socks, winter blankets, coffee, cake and other people. This is how the Danish survive their long and arduous winters, and we South Africans could surely take inspiration from this with the cold winter months fast approaching…

Here are a few easy steps to creating a cozy home this winter…

Winter blankets

There is just no getting away from the good old winter blanket and throw. A family favourite and a comforting staple for the upcoming colder months, this popular trend has given rise to a number of luxurious and super cosy styles and materials. The blanket is ideal for both cuddling on the couch and warming up in bed.

Decorating with blankets & throws

Blankets and throws are also extremely versatile items which will help to add to the comfort and warmth of your home this winter. Much like scatter cushions, blankets and throws are an easy item to add not only cosiness to your room, but are also a great way to bring in added texture, colour and pattern to your space.

Winter blankets can be draped over couches, neatly folded at the foot of your bed or thrown casually over the arm of a couch. They even look inviting when rolled up and placed in a basket in your bedroom or living room for an additional winter-time touch.

What’s on-trend?

Some of this season’s most cosy and on-trend throws and blankets to look out for are made from materials such as: mink, faux fur, Sherpa blankets made from faux fur in a signature diamond quilt pattern, fleece, cashmere, a soft melange knit, faux wool, chunky cable knit and the pleated knit.

While the top-of-the-range faux fur and mink blankets guarantee luxury and hours of cosiness, they will also set you back a fair penny, ranging from R1 500 – R2 000 and upwards. The fleece, cashmere and knit variations are far more affordable and offer almost as much comfort!

Lighting & Ambiance

If your home does not offer a fireplace, or perhaps some evenings are not quite cold enough to warrant lighting a fire, there are other simple ways to create that glowing ambiance and cosy atmosphere.

It’s a universal truth that dim lighting helps to create a sense of comfort – create your own with a few strings of fairly lights draped around your curtain rails, get your hands on a few solar-powered Consol jars, bring a hurricane lamp or two indoors or even light a few candles!

Now that the scene has been set, the perfect way to tie your cosy winter evenings together is with a hot toddy or two! Hot chocolate with a dash of Amarula or whiskey, or even a little chilli powder will warm you from the inside out, as you snuggle up with a warm blanket and take in the comforts of winter!

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