How to Incorporate Hygge in Your Home: 11 Tips for Hygge
Hygge may be a popular trend today, but contentment and comfort will always be in. “Hygge” (pronounced “hoo-guh”) is a Danish term that means, “a quality of comfort and coziness that produces a feeling of contentment.” The term can be traced back to a 16th-century Norwegian word “hugga” which meant to comfort or console. (Merriam-Webster)
Creating a welcoming and cozy space is a major aspect of hygge, so we’ve put this blog together to help you incorporate hygge into your home and your everyday life!
Keep reading and get cozy!
1. Maximize Natural Light
The less artificial light in your space, the better. Artificial light is often described as bright and harsh, rather than warm and comforting (which is what you’re seeking for hygge). We suggest using candles and lots of natural light to brighten your space. Keep curtains and blinds open, and strategically place mirrors to add even more natural light.
Pro tip: Place mirrors directly across from windows to reflect sunlight around the room.
If you would like to (or must) include artificial lighting in your space, a warm glow should be the goal. Use a mix of table and floor lamps made of natural materials. Avoid harsh, overhead lights, and switch to dimmer switches instead. Illuminate your space with soft, warm light features. Purchase bulbs that produce soft light.
2. Use Neutral Colors
Typically a warm, neutral color scheme is the best option to create hygge. Light grays, tans, browns and creams will help create a welcoming atmosphere for you and your guests. Even though bright, bold colors are sometimes considered cluttered and loud, hygge is all about your comfort and peace. If your pink couch is your most prized possession or your accent wall gives you life—don’t get rid of it. Consider using other techniques to enhance hygge like lighting candles, including natural elements and using different textures to maximize comfort and coziness.
3. Lots of Candles
An easy and effective way to create a sense of hygge in your home is to light candles. A warm, flickering flame can promote a relaxing ambience and a feeling of comfort. Place single candles on the coffee table, mantel or side tables, or consider putting multiple candles together to increase light and enhance the effect.
Pro tip: Always follow proper safety guidelines for candles. You should never leave a candle unattended, and never set them near anything that could catch fire. Here are some popular scented candles for hygge!
4. Make the Fireplace the Center of Attention
Embrace the concept of hygge by making the fireplace the heart of your home. Prioritize warmth and togetherness by gathering around the fireplace with your loved ones and spending quality time with each other. Encourage this by ensuring the fireplace is the focal point of the room, and minimize distractions. Be sure to drape blankets and pillows on the furniture!
Pro tip: No fireplace? No problem. Consider placing multiple candles around the room and taking advantage of warm lamps. You could also play a fireplace video on the TV while sitting and relaxing.
5. Include Different Textiles
Adding comfortable textiles is essential for hygge. Try draping cozy blankets on couches and adding a few extra throw pillows. Soft materials like wool, sherpa and knit are great options, as well as cotton and leather. These textiles will maximize comfort and create a relaxing, soothing space.
6. Experiment with Soft Lines
A warm, comfortable environment should include soft textures and soft lines. Essentially, hygge is the opposite of modern design’s crisp, sharp, sleek lines and furniture. Think plush, comfy couches, fluffy pillows, rounded corners and more.
7. Add many Natural Elements
Bring the outside in! Feeling close to nature often brings about a sense of peace and calm, so consider using potted plants and wood throughout your space. Walnut, oak and other neutral tones are great for flooring and furniture pieces.
How to Embrace a Hygge Lifestyle
Creating a space that fosters comfort and relaxation is a major aspect of hygge, but there are other things you can incorporate into your lifestyle to adopt this element of Danish culture.
8. Spend time with friends and family
Hygge is more than just interior design, it’s an experience and a mindset. Spending quality time with friends and family can offer a sense of safety, comfort and freedom.
9. Do what you love
Whether you love curling up with your favorite book in your cozy reading nook or sitting down with extra blankets and pillows to watch the newest Netflix show—embrace hygge by finding time to do what you love! You’ll be happy and content spending time doing the things you enjoy most.
10. Take a deep breath
Don’t forget to take a breather every once in a while! Be sure to live in the moment, enjoy your leisure time and understand that you don’t have to be busy every second of every day. Sometimes all you need to do is relax.
11. Hygge in your closet
Hygge as a fashion statement is also gaining popularity. If you want to try it, just make sure you’re embracing cozy fabrics, such as knits and wool and all things oversized. But it’s also important to make sure you’re comfortable in it. Even if the wool sweater looks comfy, avoid it if it’s just going to make you itch! Of course, hygge works better in winter months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t throw on some oversized sweats and rock those cushy slippers any time of year.
FAQs: How to Incorporate Hygge in Your Home
How do I incorporate hygge into my life?
A: The list above includes a variety of ways to integrate hygge into your life. Embrace hygge in your home by using neutral colors, including different textiles, and experimenting with soft lines. You can also incorporate hygge in your lifestyle by spending time with friends and family, doing what you love and taking time to relax.
What is the interior design trend called hygge?
A: The concept of hygge is a Danish term that promotes the idea of contentment and peace by prioritizing comfort and coziness. Creating a welcoming, warm space in your home is a great way to practice hygge.
What is the difference between hygge and minimalism?
A: Minimalism is all about living with less and making more room for what’s important in your life. Hygge, on the other hand, is centered around comfort, coziness and contentment, and designing a space to encourage those feelings.
How do you design a cozy home?
A: Check out the list above to find ways to design a cozy home! Try maximizing natural light, using lots of candles and adding soft, natural textures.
Sit Back and Relax: Hygge Style
Hygge is both a design technique and a lifestyle that prioritizes coziness and comfort. We hope these suggestions for incorporating hygge into both your home and your lifestyle will help improve your well-being!
If you need any more space while you’re transforming your home to adopt the hygge style, just check out Store Space! We offer professional, secure self-storage in facilities around the United States. Just locate your nearest facility using our storage location finder.
