At our Beach House, we start off every New Year with a different theme and focus. Last year, it was Awakening 2017: A Year With Intention, which provided us with the perfect opportunity to look within to find our inner calm. We explored our minds and searched our souls to uncover versions of ourselves that we never knew existed. For 2018, we are harnessing all the lessons we have learnt and applying them to our daily rituals by discovering the secrets to everyday happy living with Kinship 2018: A Year To Get Consciously Cozy.
We were inspired by the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ (pronounced “hoo-gah”), which is a quality of presence and an experience of belonging and togetherness. It is a feeling of being cozy, warm, comforted and safe. It’s a feeling of engagement and relatedness, of belonging to the moment and to each other. Hygge is a sense of abundance and contentment. Hygge is about being, not having.
Over the next few months, we will be diving into our Kinship Manifesto, which we believe is the perfect blueprint for finding happiness in simple but meaningful moments. To kick it off, we are offering our top tips on creating atmosphere – because it is all about the ambiance!
Atmosphere is something that your home either has or hasn’t. You can’t really put your finger on what it is – but it is a feeling of coziness and warmth. A welcoming atmosphere encourages laughter, the sharing of special moments and good vibes. Here are some of the things that we focus on to enhance the atmosphere in our space!
Add charming details
Make sure to put up some photos and personalize your space with details that resonate with your personality and style. For instance, we love displaying souvenirs, postcards and mementos that we acquire during our adventures and travels.
Aim for good and warm lighting
Make sure you evaluate your lighting in your space. Harsh lighting can be uninviting but the use of lamps and soft lighting can offer the welcoming and comfortable environment that encourages guests to relax and spend time in your home.
Make sure your place is comfortable
Another way to make sure that guests are comfy besides the lighting is the choice of furniture. Think about your seating area – use cozy materials and throw pillows to soften up the space rather than sharp edges and hard materials.
And be true to your own style
Your home and space should exude your own individual and wonderful personality – this inevitably adds a ton of atmosphere to your home!
