Embrace the Hygge: A Cozy Guide to Welcoming Winter in Your Alberta Home
- Sonik HipHop
- Oct 29
- 6 min read
Updated: Oct 30
Just because the air is turning crisp and the chill is settling in doesn’t mean we have to fight it. In fact, it’s the perfect invitation to embrace the season and all the coziness it brings. Instead of longing for warmer days, we can celebrate the beauty of fall and winter by turning our homes into havens of warmth and comfort. That’s where the magic of hygge comes in.
Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah") is a Danish concept all about leaning into the season, finding joy in cozy moments, and transforming your space into a snug retreat from the cold. Basically, it's all about welcoming winter in your Alberta Home.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to welcome that chill with open arms and infuse your home with the essence of hygge - so you can truly enjoy this time of year. Let’s dive in and discover how to wrap yourself in all the comfort this season has to offer.
Touch: Wrap Yourself in Cozy Softness
Imagine a space where every texture invites you to unwind. This is about more than cleaning - it's about infusing your home with the kind of softness that feels like a gentle embrace. Let’s turn those everyday textiles into a sensory experience, layering in all those little touches that make winter warmth and coziness come alive.
Embrace Soft Textures Add layers of fleece throws, sherpa blankets, and faux fur pillows to create a soft sanctuary in any corner.
Use Fabric Softener When washing your cozy items, add a gentle fabric softener to keep blankets and towels touchably soft. Consider a strip wash for towels that need a refresh to restore their fluffiness.
Fluff Your Pillows Give pillows a tumble in the dryer with dryer balls to keep them plump and inviting.
Light the Fireplace Clean out the fireplace and enjoy intentional fires for that gentle, ambient warmth that adds a layer of tactile comfort.
Season’s Touch Splurge: For the ultimate cozy upgrade, wrap yourself in a Sunbeam Royal Mink Reverse Sherpa Heated Throw. It’s our favourite little luxury to add that perfect touch of warmth and softness.
Sight: Set the Scene with Warmth and Glow
Now let's turn our attention to the visual layer of hygge. Imagine walking into a space that feels like a gentle visual embrace - soft lighting, warm colours, and a sense of visual calm. And here’s the thing: this is the season to let yourself be a little more maximalist if that’s what warms your soul. Hygge isn’t about going minimalist; it’s about embracing the cozy abundance of things that bring you comfort.
Think of it as a season of hibernation where you get to surround yourself with layers of things you love. You can always declutter in the spring - for now, let those warm colours, soft lights, and beloved objects make your home feel like a true autumn retreat.
Layer Your Lighting Use warm, soft lighting, such as table lamps, fairy lights, or candles, to create a gentle glow. Avoid harsh overhead lights.
Bring in Autumn Colours Add touches of deep fall and winter colours like deep oranges, rich reds, earthy browns and icy blues through throws, pillows, or seasonal décor.
Embrace Cozy Abundance Let yourself layer in those extra cozy items - blankets, books, and little treasures that make you feel at home. This is the season to be surrounded by things you love.
Season’s Sight Splurge: Grab the iconic VARMBLIXT lamp from IKEA to bring a touch of kitchy Nordic whimsy and instant soft, warm light into any room of your home.
Scent: Infuse the Air with Cozy Aromas
Hygge is not just about the visuals; it's about the scents that wrap around us like a comforting memory. Fall is a season rich with scent memories - crisp leaves, the warmth of pumpkin spice, the sweetness of baked goods, and the savoury notes of autumn cooking.
As the air grows heavier with these nostalgic, gourmand scents, we can invite that cozy, wistful feeling of autumn right into our homes. Let's make the air itself a layer of comfort.
Cook Intentionally for Scent Embrace the power of cooking as a way to fill your home with delicious aromas. Sauté onions and garlic to start a meal, brew some warm apple cider or bake a batch of your favourite cookies - whether it's classic chocolate chip, or another family standard. Not only do you get the joy of the food itself, but you also create lasting scent memories that make your space feel like home (read more on this in our 'Taste' section below).
Use Seasonally Scented Cleaners Choose gentle, naturally scented cleaning products - think clove, vanilla, or a hint of pine - to leave behind a subtle, comforting fragrance after you clean.
Try a Simmer Pot Simmer a pot (or slow cooker) of water with cinnamon sticks, citrus peels, and cloves on the stove for a natural, inviting aroma that fills your space.
Let Your Candles Work Twice as hard We previously mentioned candles as a great way to add soft, warm lighting to your space - But they can work double-duty, throwing rich, warm scents throughout your home. Look for candles with natural waxes (soy, beeswax or coconut), in warm, inviting scents like amber, pumpkin spice and rich caramel.
Season’s Scent Splurge For a little aromatic luxury, consider the Voluspa Baltic Amber Candle to add that final note of rich, warm comfort to your space.
Sound: Create a Symphony of Cozy Calm
Now let’s turn to the sounds that fill your space, because hygge is also about the gentle backdrop of comforting noise. Picture this: a room where the soft crackle of a fireplace, the whisper of turning pages, or the gentle hum of a low-fi playlist creates a cocoon of calm. Fall is the perfect time to let sound add another layer of warmth to your home.
Curate a Cozy Playlist Build a playlist of soft acoustic tunes, gentle jazz, or even ambient nature sounds like rain falling or leaves rustling. Let this be the soundtrack that sets a relaxing tone for your space.
Embrace the Sounds of the Season If you have a fireplace, let the gentle crackle of a fire become part of your home’s ambiance. But even if you don’t, you can easily find playlists on Spotify or YouTube with the soothing sounds of a crackling fire or a gentle winter storm. It's an easy way to bring those cozy sounds into your space without needing the real thing.
Quiet Corners Create little pockets of silence or soft white noise in your home, places where you can read, meditate, or just breathe without distraction.
Season’s Sound Splurge There's a reason vinyl records are praised for their unrivalled warmth and nostalgic sound quality. This season, grab a Crosley Cruiser Turntable, and listen to dad's old records in any room of the house (or use the Bluetooth feature to play your own playlists through the speakers).
Taste: Savor the Flavors of the Season
And finally, let's talk about taste, because hygge is as much about the flavours we savour as it is about the cozy atmosphere we create. This is the perfect season to dive into those heartier, seasonal flavours - think roasted root vegetables, hearty soups, and all those cozy meals that warm you from the inside out.
With the holiday season on the horizon, there are also those special treats that only appear at this time of year. Whether it's a favourite holiday pastry, a spiced drink, or a seasonal confection, these limited-time flavours make this season feel even more special.
Cook Seasonally Take advantage of what's in season - gourds, root vegetables, and hearty ingredients are perfect for hearty soups and roasts that warm both the body and soul.
Savour Little Treats Keep small dishes of seasonal treats around the house; Think homemade baked goods, candy, chocolates or nuts in shell. Small delights that keep spirits bright as the daylight wanes.
Create Flavour Memories Remember that taste is closely tied to memory, so embrace those recipes that feel nostalgic or create new traditions.
Season’s Taste Splurge Treat yourself (and your guests) to a special seasonal indulgence, like a box of Toffifee - those little caramel, hazelnut, and chocolate treats that feel extra special this time of year.
Whether it’s the softness of a blanket, the scent of something delicious baking in the oven, the gentle glow of candlelight, or the taste of a seasonal treat, each of these moments adds up to a tapestry of comfort.
So go ahead and let the world outside do its wintry dance while you hibernate happily inside, wrapped in the warmth of hygge. After all, there’s no better time to celebrate the beauty of slowing down and savouring the season. Stay cozy, and enjoy every little moment of your hygge-filled home.
Excited to dive make your home cozy and clean this season? Check out our previous article, "Fall Into Fresh: Your Essential Kitchen Refresh This Autumn."
And hey - if you’d rather skip the cleaning before going full-hygge, you're in luck! Book your appointment with Maid Easy Cleaning - we'll take care of the dirty work and let you get to making things cozy quick!
