As many of us often do at this time of year, I’ve spent some time lately reflecting on what turned out to be quite a special year. This time 12 months ago, I made a very intentional decision to find true alignment in my life and my interior business. To prioritise my health and wellbeing. To put into practice the advice that I share with my own clients about using their homes to create joy, calm and connection.

That vision I set out for myself, and the series of decisions I’ve made since that moment, have transformed my life and my mindset in 2025. I read a line recently which resonated hard with me:

“When you regulate your inner world, your outer world naturally elevates”

I’ve found this to be true on many levels. So I thought, for our last post of the year, I’d share some of my personal reflections on making changes in life, and why interior design feels more powerful than ever before.

Alignment and Action

If I could sum up how I made changes this year in a couple of words? Alignment and Action.

We talk a lot here at Hygge & Cwtch about creating homes and building lifestyles which feel truly aligned to us as individuals. Understanding our personal values and living by them in every aspect of life.

At the end of last year, I got introspective. I figured out what matters to me. What I’ve been neglecting and where I suspected I could find pockets of joy. It wasn’t hard, everything we do and say here at Hygge & Cwtch is me, at its heart. The magic happened when I took action. Staying focused and seeking out (and saying yes to) opportunities that aligned with my values.

I joined the Beyond Beauty Club and have become a brand ambassador for a wellness brand that I truly believe in and whose values match my own. The benefits to this off-the-cuff decision that I made 12 months ago have been endless, and I’m seeing out the year not only with glowing skin but a support system and side business that bring me so much joy.

Putting time and energy into my own house interiors has made me fall in love with my home again. I spend my life doing this in minute detail for my clients. It’s just taken me a while to remember that I can do it for myself, too. Calm living in a house which supports me and my family and our wellbeing. Exactly what a home should do.

This year I prioritised health and self care to become the best version of myself. Leaning into seasonal energies and creating non-negotiable rituals helps me feel grounded and connected to nature, forever my main source of inspiration.

Stepping away from reactive living and taking intentional actions which feel aligned and good to me, has been truly transformative.

Interior design for wellbeing

Finding personal clarity this year has really confirmed to me the power of interior design. The clients we’ve welcomed and the work that we’ve done has felt more aligned to our values and style than ever before. Creating beautiful spaces which support our client’s lifestyles and wellbeing is our thing, we’re passionate about it because we know that it works.

Our goal is always more than just the aesthetic. We want to help our clients create a structure at home which supports their lifestyle, whatever that may be. Always to the backdrop of intentional design. Where beauty meets practicality. Harnessing simplicity, space and natural light to foster calm living and quiet minds. Layering textures and colour with personal treasures and items that truly spark joy. 

Once you have spaces at home which serve you well, you can more easily lean into routine and rituals which help you transition between the seasons and bring structure and moments of peace to your day.

Above are snippets of some of our 2025 projects. Calming spaces that serve a purpose and support wellbeing, rest and comfort.

Momentum into 2026

We recently read that 2025 was the year of the Snake, symbolising transformation and the shedding versions of ourselves that no longer serves us. 2026 is the year of the Horse, symbolising freedom, strength and a forward-moving energy. The Winter Solstice on 21st December is the time for renewal and hope.

Holding tight to all of this positive energy gives us even more motivation for the year ahead. To build on what we’ve achieved so far and continue to evolve and shift alongside whatever feels good for us. We’re excited to head into a fresh year feeling happy, strong and so grateful that we get to work with even more people on transforming their homes into a haven of calm and comfort. 

Would you would like to work with us on getting the Hygge & Cwtch touch in your home in 2026? Check out our range of interior design and space planning services and get in touch for a chat. And if you’d like to follow along with my personal journey of elevating my life in my 50s, I’d love for you to join me over on my @helloanniepitchford Instagram.

Thank you to Aga Hosking for all of the interiors photography in this post.