As winter approaches you may be hearing people, like me, chatting about ‘hygge‘ and wonder what the hell we’re on about! Well I can help. This Danish word is a concept/blanket term that can’t be directly translated but broadly explained as the feeling of coziness, comfort, contentment, warmth, a feeling of togetherness etc.

Hygge, pronounced ‘hoo-ga‘, could be used for example when curling up on the sofa, under a blanket and drinking hot chocolate or even having a relaxed evening with friends and family over dinner. I guess that hygge can be subjective as it is a feeling, I can’t list every scenario in which you could use it but the easiest way to explain it is the feeling of coziness. Today for example, I had a hygge moment when I was in bed, reading a book while Hansel (my cat) was asleep next to me, snoring! I loved it.

‘At it’s essence, Hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. ‘ – via Skandium

Danish winters are long and dark, rather than moaning about the seasons like we love to do over here in the UK, the Danes have the perfect attitude making their homes, outdoor activities, dinners and gatherings all have a sense of hygge, making each moment special. Not only do I think that everyone should embrace hygge in their lives but it should always be considered when designing a home. To make a home feel hyggelig (the adjective of hygge I think, correct me if I’m wrong), there are a few simple things you could do.

• Light some candles
• Make a cosy corner with cushions and blankets
• Handmade products such as mugs, vases and knitted items give a space a sense of homeliness
• Indoor plants look great, nature will soften a room and help make it feel cosy
• Have more than one source of light for the room, just one light will feel cold. Floor lamps, table lamps, candles and pendant lights together work great and create a warmer feel to a room
• Rugs are great for another level of comfort and warmth
• Light a fire, if you have an open fire or wood burner that is
• And of course invite friends and family over for a relaxed dinner and discuss the small pleasures in life

square pillowcase  |  cashmere socks  |  book – Northern Delights
|  mug  |  bedding

 

A  L I T T L E   H Y G G E   I N S P I R A T I O N

 

How do you find your hygge? H x