The Danish use the word hygge (pronounced hooga) to describe what it is to create an atmosphere; a sense of home and essentially a way to enjoy that which soothes us. If you’ve never heard this expression before, what better way to introduce yourself to this way of living then when Jack Frost starts nipping at your nose.
This description is intended to express a way of living, one that is not prejudiced against warmer weather, as the Danes do believe that you can hygge throughout the entire year. But there is something that calls us more to this style of living once the first leaves of autumn fall from the trees and we start pulling out our scarves and hats.
Many of these traditions that the Danes use to help create a warm and snug atmosphere can also be used to help make your apartment feel the same. After all, when you spend much of the fall and winter hunkered inside your home because of where you live, it is a safe bet that you can learn a thing or two from the happiest Europeans around.
Here, we take a blend of some practical and some fun ways to help you make the transition from warmer summer and fall days into cozy winter bliss. So, make yourself a warm drink and let’s get started.
Captivating candles
Candles are a great way to create a warm and inviting atmosphere. Often used in restaurants at a table for two, they are also a great way to bring warmth and comfort into your home. Not only does the flicker of candlelight bring about a sense of calm, but the candles actually do provide warmth for your home.
There are a lot of varieties to choose from, those that offer a scent to match the season; from cinnamon apple pie, to snow and pine trees. If you want, you can even create your own smells; simply purchase some plain unscented candles and light them, then release a few drops of essential oil into the melted wax and you have your own scents. Just remember not to burn them for too long and keep the wick trimmed.
Burrow under some blankets
Who hasn’t walked through a department store and felt the need to reach out and touch every blanket displayed on every couch? When the cold months of winter come in, there is nothing quite like snuggling under a soft, warm blanket, perhaps with someone you love and watching your favorite tv show or a movie.
Some of the best blankets to cuddle under and bring warmth are made from wool or fleece, but feel free to pick whatever feels the coziest to you. Don’t limit yourself to just one blanket, have a few extras for company who come over and lay them over your couches or even have them folded in a nearby linen closet. Blankets are also a great way to save some money on your heating cost, so stock up and start snuggling.
Rest your feet by the fire
If you’ve ever been to a restaurant or café where there is a fireplace in the corner with a couple of chairs placed nearby, you’ll understand that those spots are the most sought after and hard to come by. In fact, if you actually do get to sit in the chairs by the fireplace with some friends while sipping on your latte, you’ll probably feel pretty lucky, not to mention cozy and warm.
There is no reason that you can’t bring this feeling into your home. There are stores that offer the ability to have a warm fireplace in your apartment without the need for installation or tearing holes into your walls. In many cases, these fireplaces also serve as entertainment units for your tv and DVD viewing accessories. The fact that they have a dual function helps when the summertime comes and you feel less need to use the fireplace feature.
…or at least pretend you are.
If a fireplace isn’t quite in your budget, a space heater is another option that will definitely provide any room with some much-needed warmth. This small unit can fit in the corner of a room and can heat it up in a flash.
You don’t have to stop at just using one either, you can have units for each room in your apartment, especially if you find that some rooms are colder than others. Just remember to not leave it running when you’re not around.
Create a hyggerkrog
Create a what, you ask? Remember that word we mentioned before, hygge? Hyggerkrog is another Danish word, one that loosely translates to mean “nook.” In your apartment, do you have a space you love to just hang out in; possibly in front of your tv, near a window, or maybe even in your bedroom?
Whatever your favorite space is, make it even cozier and a place to hunker down in during the winter by adding in all the above. Whether it is lots of candles, a couple of blankets, and a heater or fireplace, make this place the only spot you’ll want to be all winter long. Knowing that you have this place to feel safe, warm, and at home in will have you feeling ready to survive the winter cold in no time.
Get rid of pesky drafts
You know that feeling; you crawl out of bed from underneath your warm comforter and you feel a chill in the surrounding air. At first, you think, it is likely the dropping temperature outside, but despite the fact that you have your heat on in your apartment there is still a chill in your room.
Make sure that before winter even officially begins that you check your windows for any small cracks or unsealed areas that may be allowing cold air to escape into your home. Little indicators can be observed by trying either of these simple tests: place a tissue near suspected cracks and see if it flutters or even burn some incense and watch if the smoke blows away instead of straight up. You can fix any broken seals with some rope caulk, or if in a pinch and you are on a budget, try some duct tape.
Sometimes, it may not be noticeable on your side of the building, talk to your superintendent about checking to see if they can caulk any gaps that may be visible on the outside of the building. If your place has any exposed ductwork or pipes, check to make sure that they have been weather stripped at all entry points.
Cover up with curtains
Having an apartment with floor-to-ceiling windows is great for light exposure, but it also means that area of your apartment will always be the coldest. There is only so much insulation a window can have, even if it is double-paned, which not all of them are. But having to replace all of your windows can be an expensive option and one that you may not be able to do on your own or that the owner of your building isn’t ready to do.
Having curtains with a blackout panel, an extra layer of fabric, will add extra warmth to your apartment as it will help insulate the windows. It may not be ideal to block all your windows, after all, you likely picked your apartment for its stunning views or for all the natural light it gives, but there still might be some areas that you want to add curtains too.
You don’t have to have them all year round, perhaps just during the colder months and maybe just in your bedroom, or maybe you only have them closed during the day when you’re at work. They come in a variety of colors and can add extra style to your décor along with some warmth.
Cozy in carpet
If your apartment has hard-surfaced floor throughout, then a carpet is another great way to give your place some warmth and insulation. Place one at your entryway to help collect slush and snow from boots when you enter your home and to also block any drafts that come in from the hall outside your apartment.
Feel free to also put some outside your bathtub or shower, by the side of your bed, or in front of your couch. Whatever the texture you choose, all will help make sure that your feet are not touching an ice-cold surface too much and will provide some more warmth to your place.
Get cooking
Whether you love eating soup in the winter, drinking massive amounts of hot apple cider, or baking cookies, now is the time more than ever to turn your oven or stove on and get down to business. Not only will it keep your kitchen warm, as the oven will actually raise the temperature of your apartment by a degree or two, but you will also be well-fed throughout the winter.
If you are not the most advanced chef around, maybe your kitchen is mostly there for decoration, that shouldn’t stop you from using your kitchen for warmth. Buy some premade lasagna or some ready-to-bake cookie dough and get ready for some warm, comforting food coming your way.
Bring in the troops
After all that hard work to get your apartment to be a place you’ll look forward to spending the cold winter nights in, how about inviting some friends over to share in your comfort? Having some close friends or family over to help share in the snuggles under a blanket, help bake some cookies, or sit by the fire with a nice cup of hot chocolate will definitely help you forget why you love summer so much.
Coming up with some creative reasons to have company over doesn’t have to be hard, it can be a simple “Netflix and chill” sort of night, holding a potluck dinner, or even having a cookie bake-off. The more people you have around you the cozier and warmer your apartment will be.
The colder months are all about making your apartment a warm and inviting place, for you and your company. We often put so much effort into staying warm when we’re outside; warm gloves, hats, boots and insulated coats, that we forget our apartment needs the same treatment. Follow our above top 10 tips and you will wonder how you ever got through the winter before without them!
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