Are you ready to hygge your home?
Hygge isn’t a trend – it’s a way of life! It’s a wonderfully wholesome way to make your home feel cosy and comfy, especially through the cold dark months.
As the days begin to shorten and the air turns crisp, there’s no better time to infuse your living space with the Danish concept of Hygge – a lifestyle centred around cosiness, contentment, and well-being. Whether it’s snuggling up with a blanket and a good book, sipping a warm drink, lighting a few candles, or spending time with loved ones, hygge can help you transform your home into a sanctuary that feels like a warm hug.
I’m going to share some easy and practical tips to help you hygge your home this autumn. Get ready to dial up the ambience and create a soothing atmosphere where you can fully relax, unwind, and enjoy the present moment. You’ll discover how to make your home a comforting retreat from the autumn chill and find joy in the simple things that make this time of year so special.
What is Hygge – and why do you need it in your life?
hygge [hoo-ga]
Noun: a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).
(Oxford Dictionary)
Hygge roughly translates to wellbeing – it doesn’t relate to one particular thing, rather it’s about creating a feeling of warmth, cosiness and comfort. It’s the Danish secret to a way of life that helps to reduce stress and promote happiness. I don’t know about you, but in this crazy world we are living in right now, that sounds perfect to me! Not only that, but according to the World Happiness Report, Denmark consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world! It sounds like we could all benefit from learning a thing or two from the Danes.
The concept of hygge has been a central part of Danish culture for centuries, but it wasn’t until around 2015 that it caught the attention of a larger audience worldwide. Since then, hygge has been introduced to the people outside of Denmark through books and articles, causing a huge surge in popularity and it becoming a bit of a trend.
When I first heard about hygge a few years ago, I remember feeling instantly intrigued because it resonated on such a level that it had me wondering if a small part of me was actually Danish! Candles, fairy lights, soft blankets, books, warm drinks, good food, time with loved ones… I’m here for all of that and I wanted to find out more.
I did some research and learned about it through reading a couple of books, “Hygge: The Secrets of the Hygge Art Towards a Stress-Free and Happier Life” by Danielle Kristiansen, and more recently “The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well” by Meik Wiking, a New York Times and Sunday Times bestseller. If you’re interested in diving more deeply into the subject of hygge, I recommend them.
“Hygge is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world and allow ourselves to let our guard down.”
Meik Wiking
For the past few years, I have been experimenting with hygge in my own home and it is so easy to do. I love the idea of creating hyggekrogs (cosy nooks) to relax in and enjoying little hyggelig moments (pleasant and enjoyable moments) with my family.
You don’t need to go shopping to be more hygge. It’s not about buying things, it’s about living more intentionally and being content with the simple things in life. Look around your home and you’ll most likely find you already have many of the physical elements of hygge that you can play around with.
How to hygge your home
Here are my 10 top tips for embracing the concept of hygge and making your home a cosy retreat this autumn:
1. Clean and tidy space As a professional organiser, I had to put this at the top of my list! It’s very difficult to relax and unwind if there is clutter and mess in your living space. Declutter and remove the unnecessary so you can easily keep your home clean. Focus on the things you enjoy and find beautiful to look at to create a space that feels relaxing.
2. Lighting One of the easiest ways to turn up the ambiance and create a consciously cosy mood is with your lighting. You can use lighting effectively in so many different ways to give your home a warm, inviting atmosphere. Avoid harsh, overhead lighting and always choose warm white bulbs for your lamps. Salt lamps, if you have them, are a great addition to a hygge-inspired home. The natural element and gentle glow helps set a tranquil mood, perfect for unwinding.
3. Candles Danes are known for buying more candles per capita than any other nation! Candles play a significant role in Danish culture, particularly in creating a hygge atmosphere. You can create a magical vibe with Candles and string lights, and if you have a fire, light it in the evenings for the ultimate cosy vibe.
4. Textiles Comfort and cosiness is easy to achieve when you have soft furnishings and home textiles that feel warm and comforting to the touch. Think oversized blankets, throws, and cushion covers made from natural or natural-looking materials, such as chunky knit wool, sheepskin, faux fur, brushed cotton, linen etc. These help to add texture and warmth to your space and are perfect for snuggling up during the cooler months. Don’t stop with your home though. Why not apply the same principle to your clothing and wear garments that feel soft and warm against your skin? Comfy in-home loungewear could be the perfect place to start.
5. Natural materials Incorporating natural elements in your home and connecting with nature is a key component of the hygge lifestyle. You can embrace this with wooden furniture, greenery and plants and spending time outdoors. Houseplants add a touch of freshness and make great decor pieces but they also have the amazing ability to purify the air in your home too!
6. Comfort food, cakes and sweet treats Enjoy simple pleasures such as home-cooked meals shared with family and friends. Take a guilt-free break from healthy eating from time to time to indulge in delicious cakes and treats that bring you comfort and joy. Hygge is about savouring the moment and feeling good about it.
7. Warm beverages In the colder months, warm drinks are especially comforting and can help you slow down and embrace the season rather than resist it. There’s nothing like sitting down and snuggling up with a cosy blanket to sip your favourite warm beverage from your favourite mug. Take a deep breath and feel your worries melt away.
8. Scents, aromatherapy and rituals Hygge encourages you to embrace the seasons, and fragrance is a great way to do it. As autumn and winter approach, choose warm, spicy scents for your home that evoke a cosy, comforting feel and help you connect with the time of year. You can do this with perfume too, so you might like to switch out your fresh summer scent for something more woody and warm. The use of essential oils like lavender and chamomile are known for their calming effects and can help reduce stress and anxiety and encourage relaxation.
When you are creating hyggelig moments for yourself, adding a home fragrance element, like lighting a scented candle when you take a warm bath or using an aromatherapy diffuser as you practise yoga, can enhance your experience, making it even more enjoyable.
9. Togetherness Be fully present. Put the devices away and spend quality time with your loved ones without the distractions of technology. Hygge encourages shared experiences, whether it’s enjoying a meal or drinks, having fun, playing games or simply sitting and relaxing peacefully together. A hyggelig moment is a moment where you feel relaxed, content, and at peace.
10. Gratitude Appreciate the small things and take pleasure in the mundane. Hygge is about being grateful for the everyday moments that bring you happiness and contentment.
The hygge life…
Hygge is not about shopping sprees or material things, but about creating a warm, safe and comforting home where you can fully relax and enjoy the company of those you love. Hygge is a feeling. It’s for any time of year, but I think right now is the perfect time to begin, don’t you?
I hope I’ve inspired you to embrace hygge and welcome more happiness and relaxation into your life. If you decide to join me and hygge your home this season, I wish you many hyggelig moments along the way!
“Wherever you find comfort, you find hygge.”
Meik Wiking
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You can purchase the book, “The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well” by Meik Wiking and “Hygge: The Secrets of the Hygge Art Towards a Stress-Free and Happier Life” by Danielle Kristiansen from my Amazon shop HERE and you can follow Meik Wiking on Instagram HERE.