Hygge. There’s that buzzword again! Unless you’re an interior designer, student of a design degree or an avid blog reader of all things home and lifestyle, articles and inspiration posts can sometimes seem a bit confusing.

With mention of hygge in every other blog and 22,200 average monthly Google searches, these interior design related buzzwords have clearly sparked an interest! But what do they mean exactly? Well we’re here to help you understand the world of interior design with our buzzword guide!

Authenticity

Authenticity is an ambiguous term. You may use this word when talking about experiences, people and designer brands to describe how real, true, original or unique something is. Authenticity in interior design is all about visual storytelling and creating authentic interiors that reflect the lifestyle of the client or self. It’s about representing function in its most optimal form by decorating and furnishing in a way that suits all aspects of your lifestyle.

To elaborate, it’s about how you and your household live, how you entertain, what you’re passionate about, be it sports, art or travel. It’s about your personal style and preferences, how you spend your free time, and whether you have pets or children at home.

Your home should be an authentic representation of your being from colour schemes to furniture choices and placement.

Bespoke

When you see this word, the writer is usually referring to something custom that’s been made especially upon request. Bespoke interiors can be achieved by hiring design specialists to fundamentally create a space that is precise to a client's brief or specification. Bespoke items on the other hand, are made to order and this may include luxury joinery pieces (made-to-measure hand built furniture), monogrammed cushions, throws and decorative accessories.

There’s a growing demand for bespoke interiors as people desire personalised spaces that represents their lifestyle and self. Bespoke and authenticity buzzwords go hand in hand!

Hygge

'Hygge is not a thing or something you buy...hygge is a state of mind' - Morten Georgsen.

Hygge refers to the cosy Danish lifestyle which revolves around warmth, comfort and simplicity. A place that is homely, peaceful, lived in and a pleasure to relax with family and friends. Essentially, hygge is obtained with layers, textures and lighting to create a cosy atmosphere. Why do people love talking about Hygge and following the trend? Simple – they want their home to scream “I am a sanctuary for relaxation!”.

Feng Shui

This is an ancient Chinese philosophy based on the concept of crafting a welcoming, functional space with good energy. The intention to use feng shui in interior design is to create the best atmosphere for the people who utilise the space and to do so there needs to be balance and harmony between the elements. This means positioning furniture in a way that aids conversation and togetherness, that aids freedom to move around freely and comfortably. These psychological design techniques are used to promote mental health and wellbeing.

According to Feng Shui Simple Cures, “Door Knobs and Door Handles, can be used effectively as feng shui cures to attract wealth into your home.”

Doors play an important role in welcoming positive energy into your home, so what better way to do that than with a contemporary set of chrome door handles featuring unique elliptical shape levers on rose. Perfect for modern interiors, these handles offer physical comfort in hand and an attractive duo chrome finish to get achieve feng shui.

Layering

The key to successful interior design is to build interest through various levels of elements; this is known as layering. Picture getting ready in the morning and layering with clothing. The few pieces of jewellery and the colour co-ordinating scarf that you add before you leave the house is what personalises your look.

In interior design, layers refer to the right mix of colour, shape and texture to create depth and richness in a room. While layers adhere to an overall rooms aesthetic pleasure, it also plays a part in creating atmospheres and it has influence over your phycological state of mind. Textured layers can add to your comfort which as result, lowers stress levels. Layering is a hot topic in Scandinavian design, as it focusses on minimalism and is greatly linked to the concept of Hygge.

We hope to inspire your interior projects by offering a variety of high-quality products that excel in both aesthetic and performance. If you love all things interior and want more home inspiration, check out our previous blog Make Your Rented Space Feel Like Home.