Reena Simon's hygge tips for autumn
Take a few simple steps to ready your home for autumn, embracing the very heart of hygge says Reena Simon, one of our favourite Scandi-loving Instagramers
1 Autumn can stir up contradictory emotions. On one hand I am winding down and craving time at home after a busy summer, but on the other, I am still holding onto the last rays of sunshine and don’t want to let go of the season before. The desire to stay cosy remains throughout, though.
2 The autumn air brings with it an earthy scent of falling leaves. I like to counteract this harsher seasonal fragrance with a more woodsy scent for my diffusers. I love fir but also go for amber and cinnamon, which bring feelings of warmth and cosiness.
3 Learning from our Scandinavian friends, a quick and simple way to make your home ready for the autumn is to layer existing furniture with textiles. Wooden floors love a knitted rug, while stools can really benefit from a cosy sheepskin seat pad.
4 Every home needs a wool or brushed-cotton blanket that’s just ready for snuggling under. Swap with those more summery lightweight linen throws you’ve dressed your sofa with during the warmer months.
5 Continue to make the most of the natural evening light. Invite loved ones over for an early dinner using seasonal vegetables and spend as much time outdoors before the temperature dips and we head into winter.
6 If you want to make a bold move this autumn, try a moody, darker colour palette. Juxtaposed with plenty of textures, rich hues can ground a space, adding depth and a sense of cocooning.My personal favourite styling tip for autumn is a log stack, whether indoors or out. Logs bring nature into our homes and mirror the bark of the trees outside. If you don’t have alcoves or shelves to house the logs, try sourcing waney-edged placemats or coasters, wooden platters or charger plates – Reena Simon
7 Think about updating the materials in your home by adding more timeless leather or wood. The brown tones of both naturally mirror the autumn colours going on outside.
8 As we find ourselves needing to use the artificial light in our homes more, assess whether you have enough low-level lighting to keep things calm and cosy. If you don’t have dimmable switches, add lamps to side tables or cosy corners, which can create atmosphere and set the mood for a successful and inviting living space this autumn.
9 Embrace those small moments, like pouring your daily cuppa from a lovely teapot. I’m currently on the hunt for a vintage Danish Tue Poulsen stoneware teapot – the brown and beige tones are so in tune with this season. I want to fill my home with pieces that bring everyday joy… and autumn always sees more cups of tea than any other season. Enjoy!
