The Welsh word ‘cwtch’ (pronounced ‘kutch’) has a lot in common with that ubiquitous Scandinavian word ‘hygge’ (pronounced ‘hue-gah or hue-guh’). The literal translation of ‘cwtch’ is ‘hug’ or ‘cuddle’, and it can also refer to a cupboard or cubby hole where items are kept safe. However, like hygge, it also has a broader meaning that is less easy to translate.

Many Welsh people use the word cwtch to refer to a kind of cosiness that is emotionally as well as physically comforting. It’s evocative of a place where you feel comforted and at home, which could be your actual home or somewhere that you have fond memories of from when you were growing up.

Like the Scandinavian concept of hygge, which celebrates the feeling of contentment and wellbeing that comes from unfussy cosiness and good company, cwtch is a state of being that has been applied to interior design in recent years. Here’s a look at how to bring a little cwtch into your home!

Decorate with hand crafted items

When it comes to home decor, the focus is very much on artisan hand-crafted items, such as Welsh love spoons. These are traditional decorative wooden spoons with symbols carved into the handle that have a special meaning. Examples include flowers, Celtic crosses, anchors, and of course the iconic Welsh dragon.

Love spoons are a popular gift to celebrate milestone occasions such as birthdays, graduations, Christenings, weddings, and also holidays and events such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day. They are hand carved from high quality wood such as sycamore, limewood, and walnut, which produces a crisp fine finish.

They are an historic artform, thought to have originally been made by sailors in the 17th century in Wales as a romantic gift for a loved one or potential sweetheart. The spoons were never intended to be used in the kitchen, but were often hung beside the fireplace, where they still make a charming addition to a rustic living room or kitchen today.

Use natural materials

Wales is a land blessed with rich natural resources, and these have been traditionally used to decorate and furnish homes. For that cosy country cottage feel, choose natural textiles such as locally woven woollen blankets and sheepskin rugs. Many Welsh households owned a tapestry blanket that had often been passed down through generations as a wedding gift.

Slate is another natural product that Wales is rightly famed for worldwide. Typical Welsh homes not only used slate for roof tiles, but also for flooring and decorative carved items. It’s a beautiful and hard wearing stone that looks perfect in a country cottage today.

The Welsh dresser

No mention of rustic interior design could pass without a mention of the iconic Welsh dresser. Vintage examples from the 19th century made from oak, mahogany or walnut are particularly beautiful, and were also highly useful with multiple drawers, cupboards, and shelves.

It is still possible to source authentic antique Welsh dressers that have been lovingly restored to prime condition, and it remains a staple item of household furniture with many modern variations available.