It’s that time of year again – gigantic white snowflakes drifting past the window, sweet hot cocoa, warm fluffy blankets, a crackling fire on a cold night. It is so completely hygge! What is hygge, you may ask? Well, we are so happy that you did!
The word hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a Danish word that has no direct English translation, but that doesn’t mean that you won’t recognize it when you experience it. Hygge is the epitome of coziness, comfort and security. It is time intentionally taken out of the rat race of daily life and spent relaxing and connecting with loved ones in a protected space. It is an informal celebration of the little things that make life worthwhile. Hygge is used as a noun, a verb and an adjective. For example – you can create hygge (n) in your home with some hygge (adj) activities, so that you can hygge (v) with your friends and family. Confused? Let’s take a closer look…
The Danes are frequently rated as the happiest people on Earth, even though they live in a country that is cold for much of the year and experience as little as seven hours of daylight per day in the winter months. While it is easy to envision total happiness while basking in the sun, sand and surf of the Caribbean, you must hand it to the people of Denmark for making lemonade out of all those frozen lemons! They took the very things that give us a case of “the Winter Blues” and pivoted to, instead, embrace the security of kinship, comfort, and belonging that apparently come from being snowed in with the family and no internet connection.
Interested? Want to create your own slice of Hygge Heaven this season? Here are some suggestions that may just hold you over until the spring blossoms arrive, reminding you that the beach days of summer are on the horizon!
Warm Colors
Hygge is all about feeling safe and contented. Earthy colors evoke a sensation of toasty warmth, as opposed to the cool whites and blues that refresh us in the summer months. Bring these warm hues into your home with accessories that can be switched out later, as the temperatures rise. Pillows, throw blankets, draperies and tabletop accessories such as vases and other small décor items, are relatively inexpensive ways to completely change the feel of a room. Think muted colors such as caramel, cinnamon, chocolate, sage, pumpkin, and mulberry (Are you getting hungry, too?).
Texture
Winter months require us to wear lots of layers. This goes for our homes, as well. Load up on those pillows and blankets in fluffy, soft textures that comfort and embrace you. Soft fleece sheets, a faux fur throw, velvets and shearling, all exude the hygge feels. Hygge is all about indulging in the calming sensations created by the items, not their price tags or brand names. Comfort can come in at any price point. Consider a day spent in your softest sweatpants or the creamiest cashmere. Either one offers the same luxury of total comfort in a crazy world. This is not the time for glitz and glam, this is the time for comfy and cozy!
Natural Finishes
Rustic touches help create a sensation of peace. Maybe it is the grounding effect of the imperfection of nature or the comfort of authenticity, natural touches such as a wooden vase, a bowl of pinecones, or a woven basket remind us of our connection to the world around us. The rough edges of the natural finishes also balance out the lux, softness of all those fuzzy comforts we just discussed. Check out this gorgeous use of natural finishes by West of Main. From the rug to the coffee table to the vase - there’s so much that stimulates comfort through textures.
Image courtesy of West of Main
Greenery
Oh, don’t forget the greenery! Inviting nature indoors is a perfectly hygge thing to do. An evergreen bough is a symbol of life in a wintery world. Another way to add a little bit of leafy life into your home is to introduce house plants, which can clean the air, further adding to your feeling of wellbeing. An indoor tree such as a Norfolk Island Pine, Fiddle-Leaf Fig, of European Olive Tree adds height and interest to an empty corner, and today’s faux options are incredibly difficult to discern from their real-life counterparts (and much easier to take care of, too).
Fire
Nothing says cozy like curling up in front of a roaring fire. If you are lucky enough to have a wood burning fireplace, throw another log on and grab a good book! If, however, you are not so blessed, gas or electric fireplaces can do the trick, but remember candles are another hygge staple. The aromatherapy scents of pine, cedar, spices and vanilla conjure up dreams of homemade cookies and loved ones communing by the hearth. You may even want to try one of the new candles with the crackling wicks to simulate a wood fire, for an added hygge touch.
Image courtesy of Housebuild.com
Games and Puzzles
A central ideal of hygge is a sense of security and belonging. Board games and puzzles (not electronic) can bring people together to interact and laugh together, creating memories for the future. Wooden or stone chessboards, backgammon, dominoes, etc., provide beautiful décor, as well as entertainment on a snowy evening
Luxe Source – Photography: Nick Johnson
Food
Comfort food is called that for a reason! Homemade soups, chili, and cookies all offer sustenance and comradery when made as a group effort and enjoyed with family and friends. The process of crafting something from scratch and offering a life sustaining gift to those you love is hygge at its finest. Bring out the heirloom family recipes and score even more hygge points!
The takeaway: hygge is a state of mind, above all else. The physical manifestations can help to put us in the mindset, but it is through a true sense of inner peace and serenity that hygge is found. Take the time to reflect and find what brings calm to your life and embrace it. Surround yourself with what gives you joy and solace. Cocoon yourself in friendship and shared comfort this season and remember, Spring is just around the corner!
If hygge is the look you are after, our Staged By Design consultants can help give you all of the warm fuzzies! Book you redesign consult today…
And let us shine a spotlight on your home!