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Taking a moment to savour a few everyday rituals at home is the most affordable luxury out there
Taking a moment to savour a few everyday rituals at home – the first coffee of the day, lighting a candle at dusk, a long chat at the dinner table – is the most affordable luxury out there. In a world that moves quickly and often demands more than it gives back, these small pauses create a sense of calm, comfort and connection within our own four walls.
To explore how we can make the most of life’s simple pleasures, we gathered the best tips and tricks from industry experts, including Chrissie Rucker, the founder of The White Company and designer Abigail Ahern, to gather their advice on creating meaningful moments at home.
From carving out dedicated nooks for hunkering down with a book and inviting areas to gather, to embracing comforting rituals through scent, and even turning everyday breakfast into a joyful daily tradition, their insights reveal how thoughtful details can transform the ordinary.
Alongside their advice, we’re also sharing our own ideas for elevating everyday routines, proving that the most rewarding luxuries are often the simplest ones.
Having a space dedicated to hunkering down is the perfect way to press pause on the day. When you want to create a quiet reading corner, the only elements you need are a chair large enough to curl up in, a table or shelf to set down a mug of hot chocolate, and a lamp. But we wouldn’t say no to a cosy cushion, a soft, slubby throw and a natural rug – jute or sisal – for snuggliness underfoot.
Pictured: Amalie accent chair, Eos side table and Martello rug, DFS
We asked Claire Horn, Nkuku's interior designer, how to create a comforting ritual using scent.
• Scent is a powerful way to layer atmosphere within your home. It can evoke a range of moods and emotions, and also has a remarkable ability to stir memories.
• Creating a ritual around fragrance can help set the tone for your day. Lavender and camomile promote calm and relaxation. Energising scents, such as grapefruit, citrus and peppermint, can clear the mind, while warming fragrances like clove and fig evoke a comforting atmosphere. Over time, you begin to associate these fragrances with certain moods and routines, helping to create a positive daily rhythm.
• Fragrances work best in the home when they’re used consistently. Placing a scent diffuser in the entrance of your home can create a welcoming atmosphere. A fresh-cotton fragrance in the utility room complements the practical nature of the space, while a soothing, spa-inspired or 'ozonic' scent in the bathroom enhances relaxation. In the bedroom, a gentle misting spray can help you unwind and drift off to sleep.
Pictured: Nkuku
Believe it or not, the act of creating order in your space can help restore calm, especially in the kitchen. Keep your most beautiful everyday pieces – a collection of jugs, a stoneware bowl – on show, grouping crockery on open shelving in similar colour palettes, but varying heights to create interest and visual harmony. Invest in stylish yet thrifty storage such as woven baskets, ceramic jars and wooden pots to keep things tidy.
Pictured: Rowen & Wren
When your day is packed with screens and schedules, carving out an area to get together in real life is a restorative ritual.
• Consider the mood you wish to create. Do you want to encourage conversation, connection or relaxation? This should guide how you style your space, whether it includes a kitchen island, a shared table or a sociable sofa set-up.
• Anchor your gathering spot. Define the area with a tactile rug, round table or statement light. These visual cues help define the zone by subtly inviting people in.
• Choose comfort over perfection. Opt for seating that allows you to linger, be it mix-and-match upholstered chairs, a puddle of cushions or a bench with layered textiles to balance ease and style.
Pictured: Aptos extending table, Marin dining chairs, Pottery Barn
Breakfast can be a great start to the day, but it's easy to rush it or eat while multitasking. Use thoughtfully chosen objects to bring the ritual to life and create joy, advises Kate Butler, head of home design at Oliver Bonas.
• Laying a table is the simplest way to elevate your morning routine. A tablecloth adds a lovely sense of occasion. I have a collection that belonged to my family and using them always makes me feel nostalgic. I also decant butter and jam into small pots - it makes the table look more thoughtful.
• Don’t save things for best! If you love it, use it – and use it often I use my antique silver cutlery all the time. For me, it's about using pieces that have meaning. I have a slightly bashed pewter butter dish that was always on our breakfast table growing up, along with elegant silver candlesticks. I mix those sentimental pieces with plates and bowls I've collected on my travels. Nothing matches and I love that. It's that blend of personal stories and beautiful objects that makes it feel unique.'
Pictured: Shrimps collection at Oliver Bonas
You only need a little corner to create a pretty styled space.
• Defining different zones in your space can make every spot feel more purposeful. A console, slim desk or wall shelf can double as a mini dressing station and signal the start and end of your day.
• Choose somewhere you can move easily, sit comfortably and reach what you need. A soft stool or upholstered chair transforms a simple corner into a welcoming zone rather than a rushed pit-stop.
• Good lighting makes the moment feel more mindful. Position yourself by a window for soft morning light or use a warm-toned table lamp to induce evening calm.
Pictured: Oka
Designer and portable-lighting evangelist Abigail Ahern explains how wireless lamps create soothing spaces.
'My coffee table always has a stack of books, botanicals for a nod to nature and soft lighting to create a relaxing ambience. Portable lights are brilliant for creating cosy pockets of glow wherever and whenever you need them. In the summer evenings, I take them outside and in the winter months, I pop them everywhere from the side of the bath to my kitchen surfaces to add an extra layer of light.'
Pictured: Lennon table lamp, Abigail Ahern
Laundry is a non-negotiable part of life, so why not make it as stress-free and stylish as possible? If you don't have the space for a dedicated utility room, a cupboard or corner in the kitchen can become a charming laundry zone.
The key is tapping into the idea of 'beautility', where efficiency looks chic – think delicately scented detergents decanted into pretty glass Mason jars, tuck-away airers and cute jute storage baskets for all the little extras.
Pictured: The Cotswold Company
Rearrange your space to make the most of mood-lifting natural light. Not only will a sunny spot help you top up your vitamin D, but the glow also beautifully softens the edges of the room. Add a touch of greenery (monsteras and fig trees both thrive in sunny spots) to deepen the sense of connection to nature.
Pictured: Ca'Pietra
Giving your most cherished pieces pride of place is an instant mood boost. Here's how to curate your collection:
• Embrace a lived-in feel by avoiding anything over-styled. A collection of mismatched jugs and vases with freshly cut blooms makes for a pretty display on this dressing table.
• Try out a stylist’s foolproof technique: the rule of three. Display with one vertical piece for height, a horizontal one for balance and a sculptural element.
• Don’t forget to add some contrast. Layering a deep or bright colour, or mixing materials, brings character and depth.
Pictured: Rowen & Wren
Chrissie Rucker OBE, founder of The White Company, shares her advice for curating a soothing spa-like sanctuary.
'After a stressful day, a bath can be a powerful ritual to calm the body and mind by immersing yourself in warm water with bath foam or oils. For extra comfort, l use a magnesium-enriched bath soak to help me drift off to sleep when I'm ready for bed. To really enjoy that post-bath feeling, I recommend drying off with a fluffy towel and wrapping yourself up in a snuggly robe before lighting a sleep-inducing candle in your bedroom.'
Pictured: The White Company
Dressing your bed is an art everyone can master, says Molly Freshwater, co-founder and creative director at Secret Linen Store. She reveals her favourite tips:
• Bedscaping is like setting a beautiful table – but for sleeping. It's about creating a space that feels layered, inviting and full of texture. Start with natural bedding, then add layers: a throw or two at the end of the bed and cushions in different shapes and sizes.
• Pillows are like friends: a few great ones are better than too many that just get in the way. I'd say you need two to sleep on, two to prop up and maybe one or two cushions.
• We’re all for natural fibres. Buy the best bedlinen you can afford and think of it as an investment in your sleep.
Pictured: Secret Linen Store
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