The rise of the snug

Ranging from a reading nook to a roomier space to gather for drinks or movies, the snug is the get-away-from it all place we all need 

- ARABELLA YOUENS

TIME OUT

Take advantage of existing architectural features to create reading nooks out of otherwise empty spaces. Fitting an upholstered bench under a bay window or on a stair landing, layering with cushions and adding some good lighting will instantly result in an inviting place to sit and read. Cath Beckett and Liv Wallers, co-founders of Yellow London, designed this cosy spot using a dynamic Christopher Farr Cloth design on the window seat cushion and a lively wallpaper by Ottoline above the dado for an extra splash of colour. 

Insider insight

The experts share their advice on designing a snug

SCIENCE BEHIND SNUGS

Everyday spaces have a direct impact on behaviour, says Lily Bernheimer, an environmental psychology consultant and author of The Shaping of Us. In it, she describes how curved forms engender higher levels of calm than angular furniture and how house plants - real, not fake - can reduce blood pressure and increase attentiveness. Some studies suggest that the rush to tear down walls to create large open-plan living spaces in homes can have a negative effect on happiness; in this scenario, consider using glass windows, screens or partitions to carve out a semi-enclosed space, recommends Lily in her book.

LIGHT AND TEXTURE