hygge Archives • New Nostalgia

Creating Hygge in my Sunroom With Facebook Marketplace

Thank you Facebook Marketplace for sponsoring this post. There’s something for everyone!

I have a fun new hobby of turning another’s used into something NEW thanks to Facebook Marketplace. I wanted to create hygge in my sunroom now that the weather is finally nice!

Just last week, my sunroom was full of broken down cardboard boxes that were needing to go to recycling and was quickly becoming overloaded with stuff. It is the first greeting for my guest when they visit, so this was not ok. It needed a little TLC, but I needed to keep it simple and inexpensive. This is where Facebook Marketplace comes in.

Facebook Marketplace has made it so fun and easy to browse and buy items from your local community, and sell any items that are in your home and need a new home. Make money while minimizing and beautifying my home? Yes, please!

It really could not be more simple. If you can take a photo with your phone and know how to send a text message, then you have the skill to use Facebook Marketplace!

Along with a posted photo, add a description of your item, name your price, and wait for messages from people who are interested. I have found some of my most favorite home items locally sourced on Facebook Marketplace.

It is a place to find amazing items to bring beauty into your home. It is a place to post the items you no longer love to make space for the NEW! Yep, I’m all about it.

Used Items to Create Hygge

Here is a secret about me…I really don’t like huge DIY projects. I’m too impatient to get out a bunch of tools and wait for layers upon layers of paint to dry. Plus, I’d have to borrow my in-law’s pickup to transfer anything large, which is simple, but not simple enough for me.

But I what I love, and am pretty good at, is seeing beauty in what someone else might see as used and would want to discard, and knowing how to place it in the right spot, or creatively use in a different way.

I’m also passionate about creating hygge in my home, and often that means getting rid of excess and being purposeful about what brings beauty and a welcoming atmosphere.

While searching Facebook Marketplace, I kept my eye out for things that would beautify my sunroom, fit in my small car, and were practical, but beautiful.

I kept in mind that anything can be updated with a quick layer of spray paint if needed.

Items I Found Recently on Facebook Marketplace:

Plant Stand

I searched Facebook Marketplace for items I can use to update the sunroom. I really wanted a place to display plants in an uncluttered way.

I found the cutest plant stand that was perfect for my needs and met the nicest farmer in a busy grocery store parking lot. He lived close, but outside of the city limits, and was so kind to drive it into town for us (the roads just outside of town had been affected due to the awful flooding here in Nebraska).

I felt safe meeting him. Facebook allows you to see some information on each seller, depending on their privacy settings. I could see that his main image was of his large extended family, and we would be meeting in a public place.

The plant stand fit perfectly in my little hatchback, we said a few cordial sentences to each other, he even lifted it from the back of his truck into the back of my car for me, and we both went on our way.

I had planned on spray painting the plant stand white, but when I saw how the wood looked in our sunroom, I changed my mind!

I love it just the way it is. Isn’t it so cute? It is very practical, too, as I needed something to hold my plants that would not create clutter.

Swivel Stool

This was my second purchase, and when I saw it on Facebook Marketplace, I knew I had to have it!

You would not believe how heavy and well made it is. There is wood on top that is so sturdy, and the bottom leg part is made of a heavy metal…and not the head banging kind. {grin}

It can be used for extra seating, as a side table to set a coaster and a drink on, or as a plant stand.

I paid $20 for it and picked it up in the most beautiful lakeside local neighborhood, which conveniently was right by my in-law’s home where I needed to be that day anyway!

My Favorite Items to Search on Facebook Marketplace

I continued with my online search. I made sure to narrow it down by putting our city in with just a 30-mile radius when searching.

Here are some of my favorite search terms:

Mirror
Plants
Frames
Side Table
Planters
Garden
Lamps
Stools

Notice that all of these searches would come up with items small enough to fit in my car. You can extend your search into whatever you are looking for…furniture, art, clothes…there are so many great things!

Facebook Marketplace lets you bookmark the items that catch your eye, and quickly ask the seller if the item is still available with the push of a button, which then starts a conversation in Messenger, if you desire.

I bookmarked some items that I loved and then noticed that 3 of these items were from the same seller! I messaged her right away and she responded stating how convenient it was that I was interested in several of her items.

I was thinking the same thing, that I could pick the items up from one spot. She was moving out of town and had a really great lamp, plants, a side table, and a really cool plant holder. She was very friendly and gave me some great deals on her items.

Here are images of her items:

Side Table

The side table is so fun. I couldn’t decide what to paint it. It would be so cute with the tray white and legs gold, or tray white and legs black, or I could leave the tray wood and just stain it. I really like the weathered look it has, too. So many good options!

This could be in a bedroom next to a bed, or in a living room with a lamp on it. I am using it unconventionally as a plant tray in my sunroom. I think it fits so great in this space.

Planter

I ended up just spray painting the legs gold and I am so happy with how it turned out. It took me minutes and transformed the look of it, giving it a bit of a modern edge.

Lamp

This is another item I was going to spray paint, but then decided not to once I saw it in person. I just LOVE IT. It is much larger than it appeared in her photo, which was a nice surprise. I didn’t pay attention to the measurements she put in her description, but started to pay attention to this while I continued to shop.

This lamp might end up in my bedroom or on a desk, but it sure adds a warming glow to my sunroom in the evening!

2 Plants

I got both a snake plant and a ficus plant from this seller. I am doing my best to take good care of them, as I am sure she didn’t really want to give up such good plants, but needed to due to her move.

Plants bring such life to a space and I just love what a good deal I got on them. The seller also gave me 2 lamp shades to put around plants…how great of a hack is that? Why have I not thought of that? I just think this is a brilliant tip if you don’t have a planter to use.

My Favorite Facebook Marketplace Purchase

The last buyer I contacted was selling a large round mirror. The buyer wanted $35 dollars for this mirror, and I asked if he would take $30 and he said “why not?” 🙂

I noticed the measurements in the description showed that it was a 36-inch mirror. That is a big round mirror! It was a bargain, as round mirrors of this size and quality usually go for over $170.

It was noted in the description that there was a crack in the frame of the mirror, and it showed a close up of the crack in one of the photos. It was small, and I knew I might even be painting it, so a crack really didn’t bother me.

It already looks so high end, but it will be amazing once I decide on whether I’m going to paint it gold or a brass color. It would be great in a shiny white, too! Oh, the decisions…so fun!

This was the BEST purchase. I have yet to paint or hang it but it will go over the dresser in my room and I will use it daily. It will bring my favorite modern shape to our bedroom wall and will almost act as a window, reflecting light. I’m giddy about this purchase…it was a great deal.

{To Pin}

Selling Your Items On Facebook Marketplace

We had a family gathering this past Sunday and I overheard my sister-in-law ask what is the best way to sell an item online. She wanted to sell a child’s table that her youngest has outgrown. Of course, I interjected and said Facebook Marketplace! It really can’t be easier to sell your items and have a local buyer pay you for them! I told her to take a look around Facebook Marketplace as it is not only a convenient way to sell items, but to also discover and buy some, too.

My bestie from California just called me and told me what fun she is having purchasing baby items on Facebook Marketplace for her first grandchild coming soon!

It really is a great way to find treasures that someone just may have been nostalgic about at one time, and make them items that end up meaning something to YOU…you could even call it….NEW NOSTALGIA!

Decorating/ HOME/ Homemaking

11 Ways To Hygge In the Fall and Winter

I’ve written about Spring and Summer Hygge, but my FAVORITE time to create a Hygge home is in the Fall.

As for winter? Hygge is what gets me through our long brutal winters in here in the Midwest.

What is Hygge?

First of all.. let’s get the pronunciation down. It is pronounced “hoo-ga”…I know, I know, it is not the most elegant-sounding word, but I have so grown to love this word!

Hygge is a Danish term that is defined as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.”

If you know me well, you know I am all about doing that little bit of extra to create a special atmosphere!

My friends and family tell me I’m quite good at it, and I adore doing it. It is just in my nature.

I naturally and automatically want to create a homey, cozy, and comfortable feeling for the people that I love when they come into my space.

I also am very intentional about using these spaces to slow down and be present and purposeful when I am alone, too.

HOME/ Homemaking/ Simplifying

Creating a Spring and Summer Hygge Home with Shopko

*This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Shopko. The opinions and text are all mine.

I am passionate about creating a Hygge home all year round. Hygge is not just for fall and winter! Spring and Summer are some of the best times to experience “Hygge.”

Have YOU heard of Hygge?

First off..lets get the pronunciation down. It is pronounced “hoo-ga”…I know, I know, it is not the prettiest sounding word, but I have so grown to love this word!

What is Hygge?

Hygge is a Danish term that is defined as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.”

If you know me well, you know I am all about doing that little bit of extra to create a special atmosphere!

My friends and family tell me I’m quite good at it, and I adore doing it. It is just in my nature.

I automatically want to create a homey, cozy, and comfortable feeling for the people that I love when they come into my space. I also am very intentional about using these spaces to slow down when I am alone, too.

ShopKo Stop, Shop, and Drop the Prices Sale

I have a lot of easy ideas to create a Hygge home in the spring and summer, and have found some great items from Shopko to help do it!

Right now is a perfect time to shop, because Shopko is having a “Stop, Shop, and Drop the Prices” sale going on right now–May 6,2018-May 12, 2018. No coupons are required for discounted prices, but if you shop online, you can get free shipping off orders over $99 with the code SHIP99.

Not only is Hygge a great way to love others well and make them feel important and cared for in your home, but it is great for being kind to yourself, too!

Remember, it is all about doing a little something extra to create a special atmosphere, and the feeling that Hygge gives is beneficial whether you are with the people you love, or if you are just nesting in for some time alone.

How to Have a Hygge Home in the Spring and Summer

Create Cozy Nests in Areas of Your Home

My teenage girls laugh at me and tell me I like to ‘nest’ in different areas of our home, and they are right! They may chuckle at me, but you better believe I find them taking over my various ‘nests’ throughout the house.

Whether it is the corner of our living room couch, a chair upstairs in our landing area by the window, our porch swing, my bed or even a chair by the fire pit outside, I LOVE to sit and enjoy a comfortable atmosphere.

I use all types of items to create these inviting little areas of comfort–to create Hygge– and I change it up just a bit in the spring and summer.

A great item to start with is a chair, because who likes to nest while standing up? Give me a chair, or better yet, give me a chair with a throw on it! Just make the throw nice and light for spring and summer.

No matter how hot it is outside, I always like some sort of cover when I am nesting in with a good book or my journal, but on warmer days, lightness is key!

Keep Comfort Items Close

I love having items that are used often, close by and within arms reach of where I usually use them. Items like pens, lip balm, lotion, journal, books, magazines, paperclips etc.

These items can create clutter, and clutter can destroy Hygge, so have some fun baskets or small ceramic bowls on hand to gather all the things.

I like baskets made of materials from nature. Adding a touch of nature is a great way to create beauty and add texture to any home decor.

I like to gather my journals, planner and favorite book in a basket and keep it right by my chair, along with pens and colored pencils.

One of my favorite comfort items is lotion, but I don’t like unsightly bottles sitting around. Instead, fill a pump lotion dispenser with lotion and keep it close and handy.

I have the Morgan Cement Pump from Shopko and chose it because it is neutral enough to go in any room and the quality is great.

Get one for the bathroom and the bedroom or guest bedroom. It looks so pretty sitting on a bedside table or any place you want to practice self-care.

Spring and summer sun can be drying, so apply a good lotion as needed.

When creating a cozy home in the spring or summer, think heart warmth instead of body warmth! I created sweet heart warmth by framing a senior picture of my daughter who is graduating!

She graduates in just a couple of weeks, so this photo definitely warms my heart! This beautiful frame is wood but looks like cement. I love the rawness of the cement, and it is the perfect way to bring a normally outdoor texture to the indoors.

A little healthy snack sitting close is a great way to create the feeling of care and concern for those you love, or just for yourself!

Fill a small ceramic bowl with raw nuts for snacking or to have out for guests to help themselves to. I love, love, love this little navy ceramic bowl from Shopko.

Bring in Nature

Replace bowls of pinecones from fall and winter with vases of fresh flowers for spring and summer. Enjoy indoor potted plants. My favorites are succulents and herbs!

Have a planter that is large enough to not have to water or switch out the plants too often, but small enough that it is portable and can be moved around depending on your mood or where you or your guests will be.

I’ve been known to carry my favorite planter around and change it’s home up often! Keep your planters simple in design so that they complement whatever room you put them in.

Bring the outdoors in, open the blinds and let the sunshine in! Remember, it does not have to be fancy.

Another quick tip? You can cut sprigs from just about any bush or plant outside, stick them in a glass and have instant refreshing green nature in your home!

Make Refreshing Beverages

Pamper yourself! I’ve seen glass carafes with different fruited or herbed waters in upscale spas, and it feels SO special…yet is just a simple touch that anyone can do at any time.

Use an Anchor Hocking Glass Carafe, fill it with water and make it extra special by simply adding a few wedges of lime or fresh berries and a sprig of mint.

A carafe is the perfect size container for serving a special beverage. Bring it out to the porch and enjoy the outdoors with a friend, or if you are alone, keep it close by to refill your beverage throughout the day.

Grab a classic Cooler glass or the Anchor Hocking Lido Clear Tea Glass, fill it with iced cold tea on a warm spring or summer day. The refreshing beverages in the images above are lemon ginger green tea with floated fruit and herbs for flavor and beauty!

Remember…creating Hygge is all about making things just a little extra special in simple ways. Yes, it can be as simple as adding a spring of mint in a simple glass of water or iced tea.

Use Lighter Linens and Throws

No more flannel sheets, fuzzy pillows or heavy comforters. Exchange them out for lighter coverings and crisp, light sheets.

I love a good sheet, and I always go with white in the summer. Nothing beats a breezy white sheet! They are easy to launder, and look and feel refreshing.

Shopko sells the Hotel by Club Brand Sheets that are 1,000 count and feels super soft.

Again, keep throws around, but make sure they are soft and lightweight for spring and summer.

Don’t Forget Scents!

Atmosphere can be transformed by scent. I’m a BIG scent girl, and burn candles all year round! I do like a lighter, more refreshing scent like the Turquoise Sea Scented Candle from Shopko in the warmer months.

I also love diffusing more fruity scented essential oils in the spring and summer, especially citrus oils.

Want to keep it super simple? Just open a window and let the scent of nature drift right in.

Pay Attention to Lighting

When creating Hygge in the winter, cozy often feels like low lights and candlelight. In the spring and summer? Gimme all the bright natural light!

In the evening, cozy lighting is important no matter what season! I have this J. Hunt Fillable Lamp (also from Shopko) and it gives such a nice feeling of light with a classic glass body and the natural wood base.

You can fill the glass base of this lamp or keep it simple and empty. If you choose to fill it, you could use with stones, sand, shells, a black and white photo, or a faux succulent. When seasons change, you could even fill it with ball ornaments!

I topped the lamp with the J. Hunt Home Sparkle Hardback Table Shade. Y’all know I love just a hint of sparkle, and this shade has such a tasteful shimmer which adds interest to the grey.

During the day, let the natural light in. Open curtains, shades, and blinds. Use string lights on the porch or backyard. Put some fairy lights in a mason jar or light a citronella candle when outdoors and the sun starts to go down.

Have a fireplace? Arrange 5-6 different sized pillar candles in it and light them. This will create awesome ambiance without the heat!

Have a fire pit outside but it is too hot to light it? Gather some string lights and place them right in the pit and plug them in. No fire needed and instant awesome atmosphere and light on a summer night.

Create Moments Outside

Remember when creating moments with those you love to be thoughtful and purposeful, but keep it simple.

Lay out a quilt and take dinner outside. Pack up a picnic, even if it is just to take to your own backyard. This is how you create special atmosphere and moments to remember.

Create little moments that feel out of the ordinary. It shows your people that you took a minute to think about creating a special memory…all by simply laying out a quilt in the backyard! So easy!

How about investing in a hammock for more Hygge moments outside and a great outdoor ‘nest.’ Bring a portable speaker out and play some ambient music, or simply notice and listen to the birds or sounds of nature.

Think Outside the Box

When thinking of Hygge, you probably wouldn’t automatically think of a fan, but in the Spring and Summer, creating comfort for me — looks like a fan!

I love a good ceiling fan and you can now find ceiling fans are not as unsightly as they used to be. I like a more modern, sleek design that does not draw too much attention to itself.

A tower fan tucked in a corner can keep your guests nice and cool all summer long, is portable, and take up very little space.

What about you? Do you like the idea of Hygge? Do you like to create a special atmosphere and is it something that you think about? Do you find it is harder to do in the Spring and Summer?