Transforming Your Sukkah into a Cozy Retreat: 6 Tips for a Dreamy Setup

"One is commanded to dwell in the sukkah during the seven days of the festival as one would in their home, as it is said (Leviticus 23:42): "You shall dwell in booths for seven days," and the sages have said (Sukkah 28b): "Dwell as you live." Meaning, as one is accustomed to living in their house throughout the year, so they should dwell in the sukkah with their bed, mattresses, and household items."

Indeed, the sukkah is a temporary structure, yet we are instructed to live in it for the seven days of the festival. How can we turn the sukkah into a real home that fulfills traditional requirements while being comfortable and stylish?

1. Bring Home Essentials into the Sukkah

According to tradition, the sukkah should be the main hub of daily life during the holiday. For example, the "Shulchan Aruch" notes that one should bring basic items into the sukkah—table, chairs, bed, and of course, holy books. In the case of a small balcony sukkah, you might not bring your whole house in, but the aim is to create a homely atmosphere. How is this achieved?

Have a spacious sukkah? Lucky you! Bring in comfortable furniture—a dining table, armchairs, and even a small bookcase for holy books. Add nice rugs or synthetic grass to enhance the ambiance. If your sukkah is large and comfortable, allocate space for dining and sleeping, and enjoy an organized and beautiful sukkah all day.

Is your sukkah small (like a balcony sukkah)? Thank Hashem! The table is likely the centerpiece due to space constraints. Mattresses are put aside for night use, so a sleep area isn’t feasible. Keep the table clean and tidy, covered with a festive white tablecloth. Place holy books, a vase with fresh flowers, and beautiful dishes on it. Invest in decorating the table as much as possible to create a warm, homely corner.

2. Beautiful and Pleasant Lighting

Every sukkah needs good lighting, with many people placing a large fluorescent light in the center to illuminate all parts. However, soft, warm lighting is recommended for both small and large sukkot to create a cozy atmosphere. Today, there are LED string lights that blend beautifully on the sukkah walls. Additionally, you can purchase warm (yellow) light garlands for a few dozen dollars and hang them in the center, alongside the large fluorescent lamp. Use both the warm and cold lighting alternately to create a different vibe each time.

3. Decorations and Adornments

Beyond the amazing decorations that children bring from school or kindergarten, add hanging dried plants, fruits of Israel, natural wood mobiles, and of course, fresh flowers. A vase with a beautiful bouquet in the center of the table instantly bestows a homey and pleasant atmosphere to the sukkah.

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4. Include Holy Books

Holy books, naturally, should have an honored place in the sukkah. Even in a small sukkah, consider adding a side table for holy books like siddurim, chumashim, and study books. Bring these books into the sukkah and pray for the spirituality and sanctity of your family throughout the year.

5. Sleeping Area

In a large sukkah, a sleeping corner is not problematic. It’s easy to set up a dedicated sleeping area with folding beds and mattresses, and ensure this space always remains organized. In a small sukkah, it gets more challenging. Mornings bring a mess of mattresses and blankets. Aim to quickly fold up beds and blankets and tuck them away inside the house or to the side, so that the sukkah can maintain its desired homely and designed character.

6. Maintaining Cleanliness

Maintaining order and cleanliness in the sukkah is essential for both aesthetic and traditional reasons. Make sure the table is always tidy, covered with a pretty tablecloth, flowers, and holy books. Ensure your sukkah remains pleasant and inviting for all the holiday days. Remove unused items, papers that fall, and clean daily with a broom (or vacuum, if you have a rug or synthetic grass). This way, your sukkah becomes a warm and welcoming home for the entire holiday.

Transforming your sukkah into a real home is a blend of adherence to tradition and pleasant design. With the right furniture, soft lighting, beautiful decorations, and a commitment to cleanliness, we can turn the sukkah into a genuine home that’s a joy to stay in throughout the holiday.

Have your own tips? Share them in the comments.