As the cooler evenings draw in, we find ourselves thinking ahead to the winter months, when the temptation becomes overwhelming to draw the curtains and hunker down by a roaring fire; music on and hot drink in hand. Perhaps even closing the door on the chaos that reigns in the rest of the house… If this kind of tranquility is a rare commodity in your home then you are in need of a snug.

A snug, simply put, is a small cosy area where you can switch off and relax. Often it is a separate room but it could also be created in an unused corner of a larger area. There are no hard and fast rules about what a snug must look like or contain. Its sole purpose is to create a cosy, comfortable and relaxing environment. So whether you prefer to fill it with books or video games, the choice is yours. This makes installing a snug a highly cost effective and flexible way of creating a recognised and valued separate space within your home.

Simple Snug Ideas:

• Being a small area, go light with the colour scheme, using muted tones rather than brights to open up the room.

• Use warm, subtle lighting to foster a serene environment.

• Bring in a carpenter to create bespoke shelves or bookcases, making full use of any awkward nooks and crannies.

• Opt for blinds over curtains – they will help create an illusion of ceiling height. With clever positioning, blinds can also let in a maximum of natural light when not in use.

• Invest in furniture that doubles up as storage solutions. A sofa with in-built storage can hold an incredible number of board games.

• Install a fire or wood burner for ultimate winter cosiness.