Several years ago, the Danish word Hygge (or hyggeligt) became very popular in Western culture. It’s developed into a lifestyle choice that influences how people design their homes, capture meaningful moments and even became an Instagram story filter! As a Danish girl growing up around this concept, there are a few ways people easily misunderstand what hygge truly means in creating mindfulness and selective home decor choices.
So, what is hygge?
First, pronouncing it right is pretty important: hugh-guh. If you want to be fancy and say the whole word, it’s pronounced as hugh-guh-leet.
Secondly, hygge is not a feeling, but is rather an adjective or consciousness. It can describe a variety of things, like the state of mind, a cozy space, a sweet moment and so on. My dad is from Denmark and refers to the word cozy when explaining what hygge means.
Hygge is not so much a lifestyle choice as it is intentionality to the enjoying little things. Lighting a candle in your living room, cozying up with a blanket and book, soaking in low-key moments with loved ones and much more is what hygge is all about. Home is where you want to feel the most relaxed and comfortable, where the atmospheric intimacy between you, your space and those around you is considered hygge. Make sense?
A Hygge Home
My Danish relatives utilize this word the most when describing a space or gathering that is not grandeur or ornate, but small, well lit, cozy and inviting. Despite the clean, simplistic and sometimes rigidly modern interior decor throughout most of Scandinavia, they add subtle touches of coziness to make a space feel inviting - even though modern homes don’t always feel homey. But the Scandinavians cleverly use many elements to add a friendly and hyggeligt atmosphere.
Lighting
If you could understand the number one decor choice that Scandinavians place throughout their homes, it would be lighting. A variety of candles, unique holders, lamps and fixtures are absolutely central to a Scandinavian household, from the living room to each bedroom. Because countries in the Arctic Circle are so dark for about half the year, good lighting is very special - particularly the small candle holders shaped into a variety of creatively modern ways.
For instance, when I was growing up my mom (who is half Danish) ALWAYS had a candle display of some sort lit on our living room coffee table at night when we gathered together to watch tv, play a game or just be with each other. If I could describe this to you, think of a bonfire on a crisp winter or fall night. Don’t they have some calming effect over you and your loved ones, watching the flames and feeling its warmth? This bonfire-esque atmosphere is one of many ways to describe a hyggeligt atmosphere. Another example that shows how much Scandinavians value candle lighting is when I got married in 2019.
Half of my Danish relatives bought me sweet little candle holders and tea light trays for home decor. It’s a popular item to gift in Scandinavia. I honestly forget to light candles most nights - especially in warmer months - but it has some strange calming effect on a room’s ambience. You automatically dial down stress, focus on relaxing and have an easier time enjoying little things. If you don’t have sweet little candle holders and the proper candle to fit into it, a scented candle will work in a pinch - plus give your space a lovely aroma.
Pelts and Blankets
Have you ever seen those faux white fur pelts at IKEA? That pretty much sums up this part. Fur pelts, woven rugs, knitted blankets and pillows have a way of softening up a room to add an element of coziness to it. What’s the first thing you want to do when you see something that soft? You want to snuggle up to it! Throughout my many travels to Scandinavia, throw blankets and pillows are a huge part of home decor. Nothing is more cozy than a fluffy pillow, rug or blanket to envelope yourself in.
However, in the spirit of Scandinavian minimalism, they don’t over use these cozy elements. They are supplements to the space itself, not the main focus. Don’t use so many pillows that you can’t see the couch, or have so many blankets that they can’t all fit into a basket. Scandinavian decor is all about modern minimalism with hints of that hygge atmosphere.
While there are many ways to create that cozy, intimate and hyggeligt atmosphere, the crux of this word traces back to its intentionality. Pursuing the mindset of enjoying the small gatherings, the dim candlelight conversations or the comfort of a knitted blanket are the little things in life that are easily taken for granted. It's something we can all get better at, especially when we're equipped with the knowledge of how to create a hygge space!
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