Hygge at Home: The Beginner’s Guide To Getting Started
This post is all about how to hygge at home.
Hygge is a Danish way of living that has taken the world by storm over the last few years, and with good reason. Denmark ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world every single year, and Hygge has a lot to do with that. But, it can be a little bit overwhelming if you’re just getting started. That’s why I’ve put together a few tips to help you on your Hygge at home journey.Â
What Is a Hygge Home?
Hygge, which is pronounced “hue-gah” or “hoo-guh,” according to a video on the Visit Denmark’s website, is a danish word that represents a living concept, coziness. But it means a lot more than that. You can say that the hygge philosophy is about creating an atmosphere that is warm and comfortable so you can enjoy things in life, big and small, with good people.
How Can I Make My House More Danish?
The hygge lifestyle is all about embracing the Danish way of living which also embodies their decor. Hygge at home is all about creating a cozy environment that is clutter free. The main purpose of hygge decor is to create a cozy and calming space that you can retreat to.
Hygge At Home
If you really want to embrace the Danish way of living, start with your home environment. Include things into your home that will create a serene and peaceful space so when you walk into your home, you can feel your mood instantly lift. Here are 9 ways to add hygge into your life for a healthier and happier you.
1. Give Everything a Home
When you look at pictures of houses that have fully embraced Hygge at home living, what you’re seeing is a slice of life. Everything is exactly where it belongs and with that comes a sense of comfort and tranquillity. Everything in that house has a home and no matter when you look at that house everything is it its place. Giving everything a place is an important first step towards a Hygge home. So take your time, figure out where everything belongs, and get into the habit of returning those things to those places. It might take a bit of time but it is worth it.
2. Use Natural Materials
When it comes to decorating the Hygge way, embrace natural materials. The hygge aesthetic isn’t just buying furniture made from wood. It also means bringing elements of nature into the house. This means things like houseplants, wood furniture, and a bowl full of pinecones are things that would be right at home in your Hygge house. Also, look for real wool blankets and leather couches, these are Hygge too! Shy away from plastic and other manmade materials whenever possible. Of course, you aren’t likely to find a wooden remote control anywhere, so just know that you won’t be 100% rid of the manmade materials.Â
3. Consider Color
Hygge is all about embracing the warmth, and in the home that starts with the paint on your walls. Rich, vibrant colors are the name of the game. Plain white can work if you aren’t allowed to paint, but Hygge really comes into its own when you can add color. Rich browns, blues, and greens are a fantastic place to start. Once again, think back to the colors you find in nature. Another way to think about it is to consider the colors of Fall, when the world itself is embracing the Hygge lifestyle to its fullest.Â
4. Add Textures
Textures are an important part of Hygge and making a space feel cozy. Hygge examples include, buying a fluffy rug you can run your toes through while you relax on the couch. A throw pillow with a knitted cover adds a little bit of texture to your couch. Coffee cups that aren’t perfectly smooth and have that handmade feel are ideal too. Adding all of these textures gives your mind something new to enjoy, which in turn keeps you from getting bored and improves your mental health.
One of my favorite ways to bring Hygge at home is with a slice of a tree. It sounds weird, I know. But that slice of tree makes a great table centerpiece, it brings in nature, and it has two different textures on it, if you leave the bark on. If they’re freshly cut they will also make your house smell amazing.
READ: How To Hygge In The Fall
5. Keep it Simple
One of the important things to consider when you’re embracing Hygge at home is keeping things simple. Don’t clutter your home up with so much stuff you feel like you’re suffocating. Keeping your décor simple will help you be able to relax better and enjoy your home. Does every chair in your house need a blanket draped over it? No. Just have a couple in each room where you spend a lot of time, like your living room or home office.
At some point, the well-meaning décor becomes too much and it just turns into clutter. Where that line is for you is something that only you can answer. Keeping it simple also means limiting how many dishes you have. I recommend only having one or two more than the number of people who live in your house. If you have house parties that you want to be prepared for, feel free to have more, but put them somewhere else so they don’t get used.
6. Make it Cozy
Hygge is all about feeling cozy. In fact, it is what many people wrongly say that Hygge is. In it’s most basic form, yes Hygge is all about that cozy feeling. That cozy feeling is what you’re chasing when it comes to Hygge at home. If you want a good example, imagine yourself sitting on a couch with a fireplace in front of you, sipping a hot drink while you wear an oversized sweater and fuzzy socks. That is the cozy side of Hygge, and that is what you’re aiming for.
7. Use Candles
Is there anything in life more cozy than a room lit by candles? I’m not sure there is. There’s something magical about candlelight that completely transforms the room you’re in. The wonderful thing is, adding candles around your house is one of the cheapest Hygge improvements you can make! The dollar store has fantastic candles that are incredibly cheap and last a long time. When you’re looking for cheap candles also be sure to check out Ross and TJMaxx. You should never pay full price for candles.
8. Lighting
While we’re on the topic of candles we should discuss lighting. Having a bunch of really bright, harsh lights is not very Hygge. In fact, the best thing you can do is have lights with an adjustable dimmer on them in the parts of the house where you relax. This way you can decide how brightly lit the room is or isn’t. While you don’t want it very bright, you don’t want it very dark either. Feeling like you live in a cave is not something anyone wants. Having big, open windows that bring in a lot of sun is very Hygge.
9. Fireplace
There’s something incredibly romantic about a fireplace. That romanticism overlaps with Hygge. The crackling of the fire, the gentle light it provides, as well as the heat…those are all Hygge. So if you live somewhere that you can have a fireplace, one that runs on wood especially, then I encourage you to get one. It may be the most expensive Hygge addition in your house, but it is worth it.
My Favorite Hygge Book
There are so many books to help you understand the hygge life. The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets To Happy Living is the book that started it all for many early adopters. After reading the book, I even started embracing the Hygge at home living. You could say it’s the “Hygge bible” and a good introduction to Hygge. The book is packed with beautiful photos, recipes and tips to help you embrace the hygge lifestyle. Below are more books you can check out!
Do you hygge at home? Share your thoughts by commenting below!
