My 5 Hygge Must-Haves for an Autumn Day at Home

This post is sponsored by Celestial Seasonings, but I was delighted to partner with a brand whose products I’ve enjoyed for years! As always, thank you to the brands that make www.heatherbien.com possible!

Remember how hygge was all the rage last year? Everyone was all about living a life full of cozy evenings spent home with candles and fur and hot tea. There’s was even a book written about it – The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets on Happy Living. Then, the spring and summer arrived and all those warm and cozy feelings went out the door as we ran outside for days spent strolling through the city and dinners al fresco.

EMBRACING HYGGE AS THE DAYS GROW SHORTER

But now that the chill in the air has returned, it’s time to embrace those days spent at home. Afternoons curled up with a good book and a mug of hot tea, or leisurely evenings of comfort food and good friends illuminated by candlelight. There’s no better way to ease into the season of 5 o’clock sunsets than with a lifestyle that makes the most of these cozy moments spent at home. It’s my favorite time of year, and I can’t wait to share with you my 5 hygge must-haves for an autumn day (or night!) spent at home.

A CUP OF HOT TEA

It almost goes without say that a cup of hot tea is essential to living the hygge lifestyle. Is there any cozier beverage? Sure, coffee is wonderful, but a mug of herbal tea is relaxing, comforting, and delicious all at once. I’ve been a fan of Celestial Seasoning’s Sleepytime tea before bedtime (and at anytime!) for well over a decade, but this Honey Vanilla Chamomile is sweet and scrumptious. I love the ritual of fixing a cup of hot tea to sit down and relax with. Even just breathing in the warmth is such a delightful experience.

Here’s another tip for your tea: add in a scoop of Collagen Peptides for a bit of self care for your skin!

COZY TEXTURES (YES, THAT MEANS FAUX FUR!)

Y’all know I love a good fur or faux fur, and hygge is all about bringing those textures into the home. There’s nothing better than curling up on the couch with a soft faux fur blanket. Once you switch over from the fleece you’ve had forever to faux fur, you’ll never go back. And you can find them on Amazon or Target or wherever for such a bargain now! There’s no need to spend more than $30.

And don’t think you have to limit the faux fur to pillows and throw. Yes, a faux fur vest TOTALLY counts as bringing hygge textures into your life!

CANDLES, CANDLES, AND MORE CANDLES

Of course candles are one of the most integral parts of creating a hygge home. Whether it’s the bourbon or pumpkin scented candle that you burn for its warm, wintery scent, or the candlesticks you bring out for dinner, lighting your home by candle is essential to creating a cozy space.

Beyond candle light (because I realize you probably can’t read…or cook…or do much of anything by candlelight), you’ll also want to focus your light sources on lamps rather than overhead light. Overhead lighting totally defeats the purpose of the twinkly, cozy light you get from candles. So turn on a lamp and keep things intimate and homey.

COOKING AND CROCK POT MEALS

I like to consider cooking an essential aspect of hygge! From the smell of food simmering on the stovetop to the comfort of a home-cooked meal to the act of slowing down and chopping and dicing, cooking is all about embracing home and being in the moment.

Crock pot meals are my absolute favorite during cooler weather, particularly the thick soups and stews you can let cook all day. Plus, they’re wonderful for making for a group, which lends itself to my last hygge must-have.

EMBRACING TIME AT HOME

My last tip for creating a hygge home is not only embracing your time at home with yourself (self-care, y’all) and your partner or family or roommates, but also inviting your friends and loved ones into your home for evenings in rather than nights out. Fill these relaxing evenings with good food, good conversation, and good wine – all the things you’d have if you went out, but on a more leisurely, intimate scale because you’re home. Take turns hosting each week – make it a regular Friday or Sunday night tradition. Hygge is all about enjoying the company of your favorite people.

WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR HYGGE?

So, what are your tips for creating a warm, cozy hygge filled home? Do you find that you spend more time at home during the fall and winter? Let me know in the comments below!