Let the art of hygge hug your home
When you think of being cosy, you might refer to a nice, warm, thick blanket, or a hot mug of tea embraced by your warming hands. Hygge (pronounced hyoo-guh), however, isn't just about being cosy. It is in the comfort of that cosiness and comforting conviviality, and allows for a feeling of contentment and wellbeing.
Hygge is a defining characteristic of Danish culture, which became lovingly spread worldwide back in 2016. The word 'hygge' itself made runner up in the 2016 Oxford Language Word of the Year. But was exactly is hygge in more detail, and how can we all incorporate it into our own homes?
Danish levels of happiness thankful to hygge
It is well known that Danish people have been rated the world's happiest population, so it comes as no surprise that this way of life has developed the concepts of many homes across the UK, and is seen by many as far more than a simple trend.
Hygge became a central part of the Danish people's identity, as they use it to find beauty in how a home makes them feel, using the right types of décor to complete the look and tone.
Let's have a look at some of the most popular décor you can use.
Seven ways you can add hygge décor to your home
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Life pieces
Plants are a huge part of hygge décor. The feeling of life is incredibly important when adding to any atmospheric element to the home, and one that you can play around with to suit your own needs.
Perhaps you prefer indoor roses to throw in a little colour, or it could be that you prefer the earthy green contrast to your established furnishings. Either way – plants offer an element of the outdoors to the inside of the home, and keep people connected with nature from the comfort of their nestling nooks.
Candles
The one thing that every home needs is a little cosy nook. We understand that not all homes may have the space or even dimensions to allow for one that you may desire, but the idea is to create a part of your home that you can retreat to with a cup of hot chocolate, a good book, or even just a place to listen to the rain softly falling on the window.
The Danish strongly believe that a quintessential part of hygge is the warm and illuminating light of candles, so ensure that you add these to the surrounding areas of your hyggekrog. Candles are a great way to bring a cosy energy to your home. If you aren't a fan of naked flames, or have small children, there are so many battery operate flickering LED candles you can purchase as an alternative.
Pools of light
Candles, even the LED type, are not for everyone, so that is why it is important to include pools of light to your home if you want to create a similar effect. It is entirely up to you how you achieve this, but many do so by using warming lamps, and more recently, Himalayan salt lamps due to their rosy glow.
You may even consider the fireplace to be the ultimate in lighting as many who follow the concept of hygge will agree. The light alone is beautiful, but the added crackle and pop of the wood burning adds to that feeling of cosiness and comfort.
Textiles, blankets and cushions
It is impossible to get cosy without the soft and warming textile of blankets and cushions. An interior that is very 'hygge' is going to be swamped with differing feels and layers, so that you can really snuggle down and find your happiness.
There is a wonderful feeling of 'welcome home' when you step inside your home, and admiring the options to be warm and well. Hygge is about experiencing and being grateful for the simple things in life, and these are often found in this type of décor.
Wooden items
Wooden items are also a great way to bring nature in to your home, to add another layer of texture. They seem to tell a story, with a simpler time and design behind them, which really takes the home back to a level of calm and serenity.
Wooden items, such as tables, photo frames or chairs, mix well with white interior as visually it is very cleansing and peaceful.
Keep it simple
There is no need to go out on a shopping spree to create a hygge effect in your home. It is all about focusing on the simple things that bring you joy. This could be in the simple piece of art that you get lost in each time you gaze at it, or a clean bowl of fresh fruit in the centre of your table.
Simple effects within the home are what we notice, and on a day to day basis will make us feel extremely happy and comfortable.
Hygge is about creating a feeling of wellness, so when our homes are tidy and have a little space, it has the same effect on our minds.
How can you incorporate a little hygge into your home?
