Welcome to the first article of 2026 for the Hygge & Cwtch blog! If you’re new to us, welcome! This is where you’ll find your monthly dose of intentional interiors, seasonal living and life behind the scenes here at Hygge & Cwtch. It’s lovely to have you with us!

We wanted to mark the first post of the year with something special. We recently had a conversation with the lovely Laura from The Smallest Light, a fellow South Wales-based business woman, writer and content creator. Laura’s passion for seasonal living is perfectly aligned with our own love of hygge and wellbeing at home, so we couldn’t wait to get Laura’s take on embracing the Winter season and how we can live our best lives at home through the Winter.

Easing into the Mid-Winter

Let’s start by setting aside any expectation we may put on ourselves when the clock strikes midnight on New Years Eve. We may be into a fresh calendar year but we are also in the middle of the darkest, coldest season of the year. The season for taking nature’s lead and hibernating, restoring our energy and embracing hygge at home.

We asked for Laura’s take on the transition from party season to deepest, darkest Winter…

The transition between the upbeat and fast-paced Christmas period and the still, quietness of January can feel quite abrupt and jarring for some. Do you personally feel that, and if so, how do you ease the transition between the two?

“Absolutely! December may be dark and cold, but we have the warmth and light of Christmas to keep us going. When that’s over, it can feel really hard to adjust to the slower pace and freezing temperatures of winter. I used to really struggle with the pressures of a new year, feeling like I should be super organised and ready to pursue new goals. 

These days, I love the quiet drift of January and look forward to the chance to just be still for a little while. Nature is giving us major cues to hibernate and dream – and even though we can’t fully retreat, we can try and reduce the pressure we put on ourselves to ‘hit the ground running’.

Deep winter is not the ideal time to push ourselves to achieve more, or to deprive and berate ourselves for not keeping up with the pace imposed on us by society/work/social media. Winter is a time to allow stillness, prioritise rest, and embrace a slower pace, knowing that spring is on the horizon.

Despite its dark and sleepy facade, this month also brings new beginnings. If we could see what lies beneath us now, we would find the seeds of new life growing and unfolding deep under our feet. I like to remember that it’s the same for us. Underneath all those extra layers and thermal socks – we are but waiting for our time to thrive again.”

Why is seasonal living so important and what are the benefits to those who consciously practice it? 

“To live seasonally is to learn to surrender to the inevitable changes within and around us on a moment-by-moment basis, allowing for all those different phases and remembering that there is always movement happening – even when we cannot see it.

Adjusting our lives and changing our daily rhythms to match the pace of the natural world supports our well-being in so many ways. 

It strengthens our relationship with nature, reduces stress and anxiety and encourages living with purpose and intention rather than rushing through and prioritising a ‘busy’ lifestyle. It also means we can begin to reduce the disruption of natural cycles that currently put our world at risk.”

The role of home and rituals

Our entire purpose as an interior design studio is to create beautiful homes with meaning. Intentional spaces to support wellbeing and provide a true sense of contentment and joy. To us, the home has a special importance during each season, in it’s own way. However in the winter months it becomes a true sanctuary. A place where we feel safe to rest. Where we can practice our rituals which give us a sense of grounding and support in our daily life.

What role do you think our homes play in supporting us through the Winter season?

“I definitely appreciate my home most in the winter months. We spend so much more time indoors, and the dropping temperatures mean we really appreciate having a safe, warm place to welcome us in from the cold. 

This is the time I go through my cupboards and pull out all the blankets and throws. Adding an extra level of comfort in the living room for those cosy evenings ahead. I feel like the addition of soft, tactile materials creates a more inviting winter home. I love to include rich, warming colours and use low lighting to create a comforting haven when we need to retreat, close out the outside world, and relax.”

Do you practice any Winter rituals at home and how important are they to your daily life?

“Yes, I love a little ritual – especially in winter. I think of them as tiny anchors keeping me tethered, no matter what crazy stuff is happening. Lighting candles as the sun goes down is a favourite ritual of mine, and because I work from home, it’s a good way to step out of work mode and into home mode. I keep a big basket of tealights stocked up and light a few on my kitchen windowsill every day. 

The flickering flame reminds us of our primal link to the natural world, to the cycles of light and dark, and the comforting rhythm of the seasons. It’s a source of grounding and peace in a world that often feels chaotic and overwhelming.

“I also like to note down a winter wellness list throughout the season. I keep a note of which practices or pursuits give me a sense of comfort or happiness during the winter. We all have our own challenges and it’s important to try to uncover a deeper understanding of what habits and practices we need to prioritise to keep us supported. 

If you try this, keep it simple. Think of things which are easily accessible for you everyday no matter the weather – a hot water bottle under your feet as you sit at your desk, a bird feeder placed in a visible spot. Then add on any extra things which might require more planning – places to visit or winter activities to try.”

Do you have areas or rooms in your home that feel more aligned to your energy at different points in the year?

“For me, it’s our sleeping spaces that feel most aligned with winter energy. Since we naturally need more sleep during the colder months, bedrooms become very important, and for us – it’s finally time to focus on this space. It has been somewhat neglected while we prioritised the main living areas and the kids’ rooms, but we’re slowly turning our bedroom into a more peaceful sanctuary. 

We’re adding cosy new bedding and a palette of neutral, natural colours to help us unwind. With warm carpets underfoot and plenty of bookshelves, it’s closer to becoming the relaxing escape we need in these winter months.”

Seasonal living to support wellbeing

There is so much power in a well-designed home. At Hygge & Cwtch, we really believe in creating a sensory experience that goes well beyond the aesthetics. Curating homes through considered, meaningful choices – from the floorplan down to the last piece of art hung on the wall – is what we do best, and we’ve seen first hand how our homes can support our mental health by providing a place of safety, calm and inspiration when we need it most.

Is there anything in your home that you bought or designed with the intention of supporting your own wellbeing?

“When we moved into our current home, I immediately noticed and loved all the natural light in the downstairs living spaces. Our garden is south-facing, so we get plenty of sunlight in the rear of the house where the lounge is situated, and we chose to add bifold doors which lead out to the garden and really flood the space with sunshine all year round – always an instant mood booster! 

When we peel those doors back, the barrier between our house and our lawn just disappears. It makes our lounge feel twice as big and keeps us feeling connected to nature even when we’re inside.”

Can you sum up in one sentence what seasonal living means to you? 

“Instead of viewing nature from the outside, living seasonally invites us to see ourselves as one of nature’s integral threads.“

What are your three top tips for our readers who may want to begin aligning their energy and their home to the seasons but aren’t sure how to begin.

“Honour your internal rhythms: try to gradually adjust your energy output to match the light. Be more active during long summer days and allow for rest and hibernation at home during the winter months to find a truer sense of time.

Notice seasonal signs and changes: immerse yourself in your local natural surroundings and take note of the changes you observe over time. Whether you are an urban or rural dweller, there will be signs of the seasons that are specific to your patch.

Bring the seasons into your home: Each season has its own distinct feel and beauty. We don’t all have the privilege of living in a way that gives us the space and time to get outdoors regularly, but bringing in natural elements is a simple way to welcome and celebrate the seasons indoors. Seedheads, berries, small branches, dried leaves – all can be brought in and added to small jars, trays or wreaths.”

Thank you so much to Laura for chatting to us and sharing your thoughts on seasonal living and it’s place in interior design. And if you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up to our monthly newsletter for more interior inspiration and behind the scenes of our Cardiff interior design studio.