You’ve probably heard about hygge – the Danish concept of happiness, relaxation and well-being. Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is a feeling or an atmosphere, and you get it by finding pleasure in the small things. Just being in the moment.
As a Dane, hygge is part of everything I do. In the morning, I put on some soft tunes, while taking it slow and drinking my favorite Oolong tea in my super-soft flannel robe. While I work (I work from home), I make sure to sit comfortably and sometimes with a blanket on. It’s all small things, but they each help make a situation or experience hyggelig.
There are several ways to get started with hygge and one of them is by bringing it into your home.
Here are some ways to make your home cozier and more inviting – or hyggeligt, as we say in Danish.
Light some candles
A simple way to add some hygge is to light a few candles. In fact, Danes burn more candles per person than anywhere else in Europe. It sets a calm and warm atmosphere when the room is lit by candles, and you can do it all year round.
It doesn’t have to be fancy candles. It’s more about the light it creates in the room, the scent of candle and the overall hygge atmosphere.
Calm color scheme
Scandinavians have a minimalist approach to style and interior. To add hygge to your home, like a Scandinavian, stick to calm and neutral color tones. White, grey and earthy tones will set the perfect mood for hygge and it will make your home feel more inviting and uncluttered.
Pillows and blankets
Hygge to me is super soft pillows and chunky blankets. There’s something about snuggling up on the couch with a book and some candles, covered in warm cushions.
I recommend getting many pillows, preferably in different textures so you have a fluffy, some furry and chunky pillows that invite to hygge. If the rest of your living room has a calm color scheme, you can spice things up a bit with a deep berry colored pillow.
Family and friends
While you definitely can hygge on your own, it’s difficult to mention hygge without talking about family and friends. A big part of what makes a home hyggeligt is that it’s filled with people you love and want to spend time with.
Hygge and togetherness go hand in hand, and we call it family hygge when it’s within the family. Watching a movie with your kids, sharing a bottle of Amarone with your husband and just enjoying each other’s company.
That’s the real secret to creating hygge at home.
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