Tips to make your hideaway extra cosy for autumn

The season of hygge 

Hygge, a Danish practice that encourages cosiness, togetherness and contentment, really comes into its own in the autumn; a time when lighting is low and the cooler temperature results in more time inside, where blankets offer comfort and candlelight creates calm. Here are simple and effective ways to bring a little more hygge into your hideaway:

Seasonal reads

A selection of seasonal books adds a lovely touch to any hideaway. Charity shops are a great place to find books, but if you fancy something specific for the season, A few of our favourites for autumn are: The Little Book of Hygge, A Nature Poem For Every Autumn Evening and The Almanac A Seasonal Guide. For those who welcome children at their hideaway, A Walk in Autumn is a wonderful book with lots of interactive pages; National Trust: Out and About: Tree Explorer is great to take outside and get children learning about British trees, and Autumn Story (Brambley Hedge) is a wholesome classic.

A heavenly scent 

Engaging the senses is a beautiful way to add earthy warmth to your hideaway this season, and smell is a key sense to consider when creating atmosphere. A simple way to do this is to add a reed diffuser to your hideaway. We love the Hawthorn and Berries scent from St Eval and also think the Sandalwood & Labdanum diffuser from Plum and Ashley is perfect for this time of year! 

Decorative foliage

Nature gives us so much in autumn, from root vegetables and decorative items such as acorns and pinecones, to amber leaves and big, bold dahlias to display in vases. Why not bring the outdoors in and pick up a fresh bunch of seasonal blooms from your local flower market or collect foliage from the garden to add a natural touch of autumn to your space? 

Warm lighting 

As daylight hours lessen, indoor and outdoor lighting will be used more. Take a look at the lighting options in your hideaway. Do you have enough lamps to help create the hygge ambience guests seek on their getaways? Most people like to keep the ‘big light’ off, especially when they are looking to unwind, so adding a few different lighting options will help to create a cosy atmosphere. Fairy lights add a touch of sparkle at this time of year, and candles are a great way to create calm. We don’t recommend open flames in hideaways, but there are brilliant battery-powered candles on the market that even have a moving flickering flame. It’s also important to check your outdoor lighting; is there enough for guests to snuggle up under a blanket with their favourite book once the sun sets? 

Entertainment

We recommend that in every hideaway there are a few board games, so now is a good time to review these and add any extras, as guests are likely to spend more time by the fire playing the games on offer. Charity shops are a great place to pick these up, and you can never go wrong with a simple pack of cards or set of dominoes.  

A taste of autumn 

Another sense that can really help us savour the season is taste. When you daydream about cosy autumn days, food may be one of the key elements you marvel about. Apple and blackberry crumble, chunky vegetable soup, steaming mugs of hot chocolate and oozy melted marshmallows. Why not review your welcome hamper and add a little taste of autumn for your guests' arrival? A punnet of handpicked blackberries, a jar of marshmallows to toast over the fire pit, or a couple of cinnamon swirls could really set the scene for the perfect autumnal getaway. 

Thoughtful and practical touches

As the wind whispers through trees, leaves begin to fall and evening light softens earlier, cooler and wintry weather is on the horizon. To help ensure everyone stays cosy and comfortable, there are a few things you could consider adding to your hideaway:

• Hot water bottles: easy to use, simple to keep clean, and they add a heartfelt hug to your guests' stay. 
• Umbrellas: having a couple of umbrellas to borrow is a cost-effective way to make everyone feel looked after. 
• Extra dog towels and blankets: wetter weather will inevitably bring muddy paws, but let’s do all we can to keep these at the door. Adding extra towels and throws will help your property to stay clean and will also make guests feel that their four-legged friend is cared for. 
• Robes for outdoor bathing: there’s something so special about stepping out of a steaming hot tub into a fluffy robe. It adds a touch of luxury that people love. 
• Portable heaters: if your hideaway doesn’t have central heating or a wood burner, then a portable heater is essential to add in the cooler months. 

Autumn adventures 

Your welcome guide is one of the best ways for you to add a personal touch to your guests' stay. At the start of each season, it’s great for owners to review their welcome folder and add in a section on local and seasonal events, or recommendations of places to visit that you believe would spark joy for your guests. A short list of pubs that serve the best Sunday lunch, woodland walks that showcase a tapestry of autumnal colours, Bonfire Night celebrations or family Halloween events are all ideas that you could pop down on paper as a small seasonal guide of things to see and do in the area. 

Extend time outside

One way to encourage your guests to spend more time outdoors is to consider what’s on offer outside your hideaway. If you don’t already have outdoor bathing or a sauna, but it’s something you are interested in, autumn is the perfect time to add these features. Most people prefer to sink into a bubbly tub when the weather is cooler, so adding a hot tub or outdoor bath can really help to boost bookings in the shoulder months. As the wellness wave continues to thrive, saunas and cold plunges also really help to increase bookings year-round. For a simple way to enhance your outdoor space, consider adding a fire pit or chiminea so guests can embrace alfresco living for longer and toast marshmallows under starlight.  Please speak with our hideaway team if you are interested in adding a new unique selling point so we can help and advise on suppliers and your options. 

We hope this guide has sparked some excitement for the upcoming season and has inspired you to create an even cosier space for your guests to enjoy this autumn.