This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Window Covering Safety Council for IZEA Worldwide. All opinions are 100% mine.
As I write this post, I am snuggled up under a blanket, with our dogs nestled by my feet and big comfy pillows all around me. This is hygge. Hygge is what I live for, how I was raised, but also how we keep our kids happy and safe.
If you are new to my blog, you may wonder what “hygge” is and that’s perfectly fine. I have written posts on how to pronounce hygge, why hygge is popular now and the best hygge gifts to give, among lots of other hygge-related topics.
However, I have never shared tips on how to decorate your home with hygge AND safety in mind. Surprisingly, one of the little-known, perhaps unintentional benefits of hygge decorating is that your home naturally becomes safer for families with young children.
Adding hygge to your home decor is simpler than you think and you may already have a lot of the things in your home. Remember, hygge is about ambiance, comfort, coziness, and soothing colors and lighting.
These are the best decorating tips for adding hygge and safety to your home:
Lighting:
Walking into a room that exudes hygge and comfort has a lot to do with the lighting. Soft lighting is key to making you want to slow down, kick your feet up and relax.
One way to ensure a room is shrouded in natural light is to use window coverings that filter out the harsh sunlight.
Our favorite window coverings are blinds, preferably ones in soft pale colors.
For the sake of safety, please always use cordless blinds.
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You can find cordless blinds at all major US retailers. They are marked with the “Best of Kids” logo.
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Products with the “Best for Kids” label are specifically designed for use in homes with young children and have undergone thorough third-party testing.
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October is Window Covering Safety Month.
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The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) educates consumers about window-covering cord safety. Its mission is to raise awareness about the strangulation hazard to infants and young children posed by exposed or dangling cords.
Candles are another great hygge accessory. However, using “real” candles never felt safe while our kids were young. Thankfully, they sell beautiful realistic battery-operated candles now. They are perfect for a hygge ambiance, without the fear of burning small curious fingers.
Textures:
So much of hygge involves soft textures. If you look at a Scandinavian design showroom, you will see rounded corners, soft edges, and clean lines. Couches are covered in pillows and cushions, chairs are draped with blankets and throws and the floors are covered in plush rugs and carpets.
Go through your linen closet and dig out your grandmother’s homemade quilt or crocheted afghan. Give those heirloom pieces new life by incorporating them into your living room decor.
Besides, no one has ever gotten hurt by snuggling in a fuzzy blanket surrounded by cushy pillows.
In an effort to make your living room more cozy and safe for young families, consider trading the traditional coffee table with an ottoman. If you need a surface to store drinks and remote controls, you can always use a cute decorative tray on top of the ottoman.
Reducing Clutter:
Now, this one might be hard to accomplish with young kids in the house. We all know how quickly a box of LEGO turns into a minefield of sharp objects on the floor.
However, in an attempt to reduce clutter, we’ve always used baskets to store (read: hide) unsightly toys. Baskets are a great way to contain clutter, but also to keep things out of the reach of inquisitive little beings.
The safest way to reduce “cord clutter” is, as stated above, using cordless blinds. But also hanging TVs and related sound equipment on the wall and then hiding the electrical cords inside the walls is a great way to keep your home safe – and clutter-free.
Plants:
If there’s one thing the Scandinavians like, it’s bringing the “outdoors inside”. Adding natural elements to your decor is one of the most important hygge accessories. However, remember safety first!
There are a number of household plants that are toxic to humans and pets, so it’s best to simply stick with family-friendly plants, at least until your kids are older.
As you can see, adding hygge to your home can easily be done with safety in mind. As a new parent, I loved knowing that I didn’t have to compromise safety to have a stylish home. On the contrary, safety IS hygge and is definitely in style – always.
Remember, October is Window Covering Safety Month. The Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC) is dedicated to educating consumers about window-covering cord safety. These safety precautions aren’t just important in homes with young children, but also at in-home daycare facilities and in the homes of grandparents and relatives, anywhere young children visit, live, or otherwise spend time.
Spreading awareness of the strangulation hazard found within a home’s four walls is eye-opening and potentially a lifesaving conversation.
I hope you enjoy your home filled with hygge and safety. You will hopefully sleep better at night, not just because of the soft blankets and textures, but also from knowing your home is safer for every member of your family.
