Discover the Ultimate Guide to Kitchen Peninsulas To Enhancing Your Space and Promoting Wellness

 

Hygge May Be The Most Important Design Trend Of Our Time.

Hygge, pronounced hyoo-guh, is about a feeling not décor. This may seem counter intuitive as a design trend. When using hygge as a design style it is important to understand that the feeling is the goal but the elements in the design is how you get there. This is truly a design style that is subjective to you. Specifically what makes you feel "cozy". While fall and winter are the ideal times of the year to express this comforting emotion, with some skill, it applies all year long. How do you keep hygge relevant all year long if you live where summers are hot and dry?

First, it is essential to define the feeling hygge. It is the comfortable and well balanced feeling of having just enough. The formula is simple, quality over quantity. For example, that moment when you are dining and are feeling satisfied but not stuffed. Remember that perfect meal when you enjoyed flavors and textures that were in harmony without being overpowered by them. Add to that a sense of intimacy, softness and emotional warmth in one word you have accomplished hygge. 

The most common "ingredients" that go into this Scandinavian trend are cuddly textiles, fall aromas, flickering candles and fairy lights. How can this be accomplished year round? Easy. It is like combining the best elements of a cabin (fall, winter) with a spa (spring, summer). Your interior designer will focus on the following elements to create timeless warmth all year round:

• Wood Grains
• Neutral Color Palette
• Kitchen Garden / House Plants
• Aroma Therapy
• Natural and Mood Light
• Sumptuous Textures
• Beverage Stations
• Reading Nooks

Wood Grains

It is no small wonder that wood plays a prominent roll in hygge design. It is a natural stress reducer. Studies show that it reduce blood pressure and lowers the heart rate when viewed or touched. An article published by the National Library of Medicine goes into great detail about the calming effects on the prefrontal cortex and parasympathetic nervous system.  

Other than flooring, the most impactful element you can use in your design to showcase wood is your cabinetry. Of course you can add as much detail as speaks to your soul but, bare in mind, part of the idea is to declutter as much as possible. That includes visual clutter. If you add a lot of detail to your cabinetry consider using a subtle material for your countertop or opt for texture in your textiles instead of print. For minimalist cabinetry slab doors like those featured above and the low profile Reese line from Dura Supreme Cabinetry are good choices. 

Neutral Color Palette

Throw your color palette into neutral and coast. There are many design elements that Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics have in common. One of the most obvious is the calming spectrum of the natural colors that they draw from. Inspired by nature's canvas, swaths of neutral colors cradle the senses to encourage inner peace. Some may argue that neutral is bland and boring but, in this case, that is a plus. Neutrals are the ultimate liaison between you...and you. They allow the spotlight to be on craftsmanship and artisan pieces. The focus is less on what is crafted in favor of what has been been crafted. In other words, the colors communicate that the journey is more important than the destination. Look to Japandi combinations for inspiration.

Kitchen Garden & House Plants

Typically they hygge kitchen garden focuses on herbs. However, clients are choosing to elevate their gardens to include cultivators for raising greens, fruits and vegetables. As we become increasingly aware of your health and the way our foods is raised, we are taking matters into our own hands. Aside from the benefits of knowing where your food comes from and what chemicals it's been exposed to, self sufficiency feels satisfying. There is a deep feeling of security and comfort in knowing that you can walk into your kitchen to get fresh herbs and greens whenever you like. Additionally, many herbs are aromatic. Breathing in their fragrance reduces stress almost immediately.  

Houseplants round out a strong sense of well-being in a living space. With proper planning, your home doesn't have to transform into a rainforest or jungle to enjoy the benefits. There have been several articles published that list the best plants for cleaning your air of toxins often found in homes. They also recommend the best plants for adding oxygen and reducing allergies. Spread them throughout your home or create a cozy nook or green wall. Talk to your designer about the best way to add them to your home or wellness bathroom to achieve a spa or zen feel year round. Create balance with their a-symmetry by using geometric pots or monochromatic artisan planters. 

Aromatherapy

Engaging the sense of smell to create a feeling of comfort and inner peace is an equally important element to hygge. If "home is where is your heart is" then realtors will bring you home with fresh baked sweets to pull at your heart strings. The brilliance of aromatherapy is you can decide what your heart wants from to day-to-day without missing a beat. Change up the essential oil you use in your diffuser as your mood shifts or set up zones with multiple diffusers. Not sure how to do it? The easiest way would be to consult with your designer while working on your remodel. If you aren't working with your designer then start at a low dose of oil to make sure zones won't conflict with each other. If you have an open floor plan, make sure the fragrances compliment each other where they overlap. Bonus: certain oils are actually antibacterial and help to keep your lungs and surfaces clean.

Natural and Mood Lighting

During the fall and winter, creating hygge with natural and mood lighting doesn't require a lot of thought. Cozy fires and soft candle light are the go to methods. Nothing makes you want to snuggle down like these two diffused light sources. They are as entertaining as the are enchanting. How does one create the same feeling of hygge in the spring and fall? 

With dynamic and diffused light. This is where lighting design becomes an important skill set. Lighting designers are trained to understand color temperature as well as shadow patterns to create moods. When executed well, lighting design can encourage your body to lower its temperature and positively influence your circadian rhythm as well as your heart rate. Lighting can connect you with your natural environment and its systems giving you a feeling of connection and "place" in your world as shown in the example by Block Architects. 

Sumptuous Textures

When it comes to incredible tile textures that you can visually sink into, Ann Sacks is one of the experts. Were it not for the fact that her tiles are ceramic and porcelain, it would seem you could cuddle up in them. Even after you put away thick wool blankets and chunky winter sweaters these wall coverings will endure every season. They are so flexible that they are serene in the spring and summer as they are cozy in the fall and winter. 

Textiles are not the only material to offer texture that conjures hygge. Textured walls allow light and shadow to create depth and complexity without diminishing minimalism. 3D wall coverings offer the same effect. When it comes t casements and furnishings consider cane, flute and woven textures. Dura Supreme and Wood Mode offer a nice selection of cabinet door inlay in both natural material and glass to subtly add texture. 

Beverage Stations

The feeling of curling up with your favorite beverage. In the spring and summer you may opt for something light and cool which can feel refreshing and calming. In the fall and winter hot tea, coco or coffee is often the beverage of choice. Of course, wine is a lovely option to warm the soul in any season. Whatever your choice, a beverage station adds convenience and the pleasure of small luxury. 

Beverage stations can be located in several places depending on your lifestyle. Really consider where the most convenient place might be. For some it is in the kitchen. Contemplate how you use your kitchen and space your beverage station from high traffic areas. A home office is another convenient place for a beverage station that allows for more privacy while enjoying your drink. For others, the living room near the entertainment center makes the most sense. Think about the dominating preferences so you don't leave out things like a wine chiller, microwave, hot plate or other favorite beverage storage and prep tools. There is nothing more frustrating than almost having everything you need at your finger tips. Something your kitchen and bath specialist might bring up is a glass washing station and under counter refrigerator drawers. Don't forget the sink!

Reading Nook

Keep in mind that the reading nook does not have to be in the kitchen, though it is pretty convenient. Built in cabinetry makes for sturdy window and banquet seating. Hygge suggests big chunky textiles for the fall and winter. The same textiles you would use for blankets, pillows and sweaters. In the spring and summer replace those winter textiles with linen, seersucker, or ticking (as shown here by One Kings Lane). 

Reading nooks for quiet and introspective time can be anywhere that makes sense for your lifestyle. Create more than one! If the master bathroom feels like a spa that you would like to relax in, do that. Maybe it is corner in the home office that suits you best. The key is access to coziness and a view if possible. 

With careful and thoughtful planning hygge can be a year round experience. Understand your lifestyle and translate it into your interior design. Don't exclude your outdoor living space. It is just as much a part of your home as the inside. It is really just an extension. The more relaxed you are the easier it is to focus on your well-being. When your well-being is nurtured you get to experience the best version of you...and so does everyone else.