Why You May Want To Embrace The Snug Room In Your Home (And How To Design It)

A "snug" room might be the most appropriately named room in a home. This term is commonly used in the UK for a small room-turned-tranquil home retreat perfect for quiet moments. The best ones have warm lighting and seating that takes you in like a hug. If you have a pint-sized area in your home that's sadly underused, consider morphing it into a snug room of your own. Even in houses with vast open plans, you can mock up a snug corner for daily getaways. Turning part of your home into a cozy oasis is a way to give yourself a vacation from the unfortunate reality of everyday stress. Your snug room should be a place you escape to, either alone or with some chosen company. Outfit this space with items that please every sense and enable you to enjoy an hour or two of a restorative activity.

There are few musts for a home snug, and some of them depend entirely on you. Whatever calming activity calls to you when you're frazzled, make sure that's easy to do in your snug room. Have several flat surfaces to set hot drinks, candles, hobby materials, and books. Lighting, and the right kind, can transform a cave-like space into a cocoon. Well-stocked shelves, oversized furniture, weighty curtains, and cuddle-worthy textiles give you an enveloped feeling. Once you've read yourself into a nap, plush covers and pillows to nestle into are luxuries that become necessities. Whether you have the perfect mini-room in mind, or you have a vast ground floor ready for dividing, you can pull together a special space of your own with these accessible tips.

British snug rooms are often painted deep colors that evoke a den-like feeling. Dark colors have a reputation for making small rooms appear even smaller. But, a snug room is one area where it can be comforting to feel enveloped in your surroundings. If you have always wanted an accent wall in your home, a snug room is a clever place for you to put one to the test. It can also be one of the best areas in your home to try the color drench paint trend. Choose a dusky color, and treat everything from trim to ceiling to a coat of paint.

However, there's no rule that says you can't opt for light and airy or bold and bright. Most importantly, pick colors that bring you joy and a sense of peace. A pastel shade, warm white walls, or a solid neutral palette can be equally calming. If your favorite color is shockingly bold, including it in your room with paint or accessories is a way to personalize the room and deliver feel-good vibes.

What is relaxation without sitting or lying down? No snug room is complete without ultra comfy seating loaded with cushions and soft blankets. Ideally, you should be able to slip from calming activity into sleep if that's what you need. A piece like an overstuffed easy chair or sofa that lets you put your feet up is just the place to recline with a novel and a nap. If reclining isn't conducive to your leisure pursuits, tuck in an equally comfy seat that's not too deep. This gives you the room you need to play an instrument or work on an intricate craft.

Rooms with built-in window seats are good choices for one you want to snug-ify. These perches call to anyone with a romantic side, but they're not exactly common in most homes. You can fake one by situating a bench beneath a window or tucking one between two bookcases.

A trick to immediately boost the ambiance in your snug room is by supplying several sources of light. Layering your lighting takes away the harshness you sometimes feel from one powerful overhead light. Keep the lighting level low and warm. Lamps with swing arms or adjustable forms are essential if reading, journaling, or knitting are on the agenda. Sconces that are more for ambiance than function fit beautifully in a snug room, and you can DIY expensive-looking sconces using affordable items from Five Below, Dollar Tree, and other discount outlets.

Although a windowless room is a great candidate for snug conversion, soft daylight is always welcome. Make the light adjustable thanks to a layering of thick draperies and filmy curtains. Plus, the star of the show in a classic British snug room is a crackling fire. Firelight in some form is ideal. Spangle your space with candles, and keep a basket of wood and kindling at the ready. Flickering LED candles and free-standing or wall-mounted fire features are good substitutes in a pinch.

Craveable fabrics are a requirement in any snug room. Put thick rugs, weighty drapes, huggable cushions, and blankets that feel like a dream on your shopping list. Look for items in the plushest velvets, softest wools (or high-quality synthetics), and any other irresistible material.

For many of us, hanging with furry family members is an important part of relaxation. Dedicate a spot for a pet bed or blanket, preferably near the fire or window. Better yet, seek out upholstery that's easy to clean, and invite your pup or kitty to curl up with you on your chair or sofa. If your home is blessed with an open floor plan, hanging a few curtains is a simple solution for a well-defined space that's separate from all the action. Carve a cozy space from an outsized one with curtains, and stock your secret nook with all the trappings you'd want in a more traditional snug.

Feeling a sense of calm contentment is one goal of a snug, and personalization is a factor you shouldn't leave out. Adorn the room with decor pieces that you find attractive or that have personal meaning. Souvenirs from travels, family heirlooms, and homemade accessories are top contenders for a spot in your snug room.

Have leisure activities close at hand. A stack of coloring books and freshly sharpened pencils, a basket of yarn for crocheting, and walls filled with escapist literature are pleasant options. If you and yours are avid game players, dedicate a corner to a table and chairs that give you enough room for a round of your favorite activity. Lean an instrument or two in the corner. Your snug can also double as a peaceful meditation space if that's what relaxation means to you. Some mindful manipulatives like a finger labyrinth or a tabletop Zen garden will fit in nicely, and an essential oil diffuser or scented candles will imbue the room with serene scents.