In Scotland, they call it coorie — nestling into warmth — while the Danes have long celebrated hygge, an ethos of comfort and conviviality.
Both traditions invite us to embrace the transition into autumn and winter by layering textures, softening light and indulging in small rituals. London’s designers and makers are now adding their own interpretations.
“Lighting is everything as the nights draw in,” says cosy connoisseur Lucy Williams. “Having multiple table lamps dotted around rather than one big light keeps things cocoon-like and cosy.
“Investing in some really nice lamps for side tables or even a rechargeable lamp for a coffee table can make all the difference.
“I particularly love the perforated shades from Hum London (from £72, humlondon.com). They cast such a nice glow around a room.”
Of course, nothing beats a natural flame. Designer Henry Holland agrees that this time of year calls for those simple rituals.
“Once the nights start to get a little darker it is such a ritual to come home, light a scented candle, put on our PJs and snuggle up by the fire,” he says. He has created the ideal autumnal flame in the
Studio 50 scented candle (£85, henryhollandstudio.com). “This scent is a combination of light and fresh top tones, and leather heart notes with a cedar wood base.”
Or make like Williams and fire up the incense sticks, but leave any notion of 1970s patchouli in the past.
“Incense is having a great resurgence and you can get some really amazing ones that do not have that hippie shop smell. Vyrao, Perfumer H and Bodha all do beautiful incense.”
American homeware icon Pottery Barn has just opened its first UK pop-up, with an autumn theme, inside West Elm on Tottenham Court Road.
The Ziggy knitted pouffe in cinnamon by Lola & Masey and Zuri House is a piece you will move from room to room (£149, zurihouse.com).
“Softness and texture is so important to me when I think about this time of year,” adds Williams. “Cushions, wool blankets, thick duvets — and it all starts with a great rug underfoot.
“I love a soft-cut pile rug that your feet can really sink into.” Hence her Nisi and Acres rug designs for Pelican House (from £1,563, pelican-house.com).
In honour of hibernation mode, ethical bedding brand Weirdstock has teamed up with retro fashion designers The Chain to launch a new collection, which is the epitome of flower power (from £20, weirdstock.co.uk).
Piglet in Bed’s Rhubarb & Rose Pembroke Stripe duvet cover is a super comfy linen option (from £45, pigletinbed.com).
The Chickpea striped hot water bottle by Harriett Grist is both chic and snug (£46, harriettgrist.com), while Camel Harlequin pyjamas by TBCo look as good at breakfast as they do in bed (£109, tbco.com).
This season also marks the arrival of La Collezione — Martina Casonato’s debut homeware collection for The Venetian Pantry.
Shaped by her Italian heritage, it celebrates natural materials — marble, brass, wood, ceramics and linens — crafted in collaboration with makers across Italy and the UK.
Among the highlights are sculptural wooden spheres fashioned from pieces of fallen or broken trees and brass napkin rings made in collaboration with London jeweller Nodo (from £32, thevenetianpantry.com).
If you are in the market for new furniture, focus on sumptuous seating. By Lydia’s Billy chair is sculptural yet versatile (£3,900, bylydia.co), while the Chubby stool from Cote de Folk can be made in any fabric of your choosing (£750, cotedefolk.com).
House Nine’s Wavy Ottoman in velvet lends an element of whimsical elegance (£2,500, housenine.co.uk).
For the finishing touch, look to walls and reflective surfaces. Fromental’s Equus Bay wallcovering cocoons rooms in painterly depth (made to order, fromental.com).
The perfect backdrop for Ovo Bloom by Helen Wilde’s delicate embroidered wildflowers on handmade paper (£70, ovobloom.com).
By honing in on thoughtful lighting, layered textiles, playful furniture and artisanal objects, you can turn your home into a snug and stylish sanctuary.
