Here in our fast-paced lives finding peace and contentment has become a growing necessity for the sanity of our minds. The Danish notion of hygge (“hoo-gah”) provide a lovely answer to that by turning our homes into bastions of comfort and delight. Loosely translated as ‘coziness’, hygge is not just a design trend, it’s a conscious lifestyle approach rooted in creating warm, cozy feelings that promote happiness and diminish anxiety. With the addition of hygge certifications to your home, you can nest in a way that promotes being in a good mood and peace in the soul, and acts as a sanctuary from your everyday life.
The Foundation of Hygge Design
The gist of it is, to achieve a hygge style home, comfort reigns over perfection. It also prioritizes making spaces feel lived-in and inviting over picture-perfect. The aim is to create an environment that feels truly happy and restful to be in.
Essential Hygge Elements:
- Soft lighting: Swap bright overheard fixtures for warm table lamps, candles, and string lights
- Organic Materials: Use woods, wool, cotton, and other materials of the earth
- Cozy Chairs: Splurge on comfortable cushions, blankets, and seating that says “please take a seat, or two.”
- Personal Touches: “Stick photos, books and items you love out there and that make you happy,” says Flanigan.
In reality even your leisure activity adds to the general sense of hygge. Lots of fans believe that taking a step back with comforting hobbies — be it journaling, crafting, or playing a chill game of JILI — can increase the peace and happiness that’s at the core of what it means to hygge.
Textiles and Temperature Control
Do this by layering in soft fabrics throughout your space to instantly make it feel cozy and visually warm. Go beyond pure utility and opt for fabrics that feel rich and cushy against your skin. Chunky knit blankets, faux-fur throws and a scattering of linen cushions all add to that all important hygge feeling of being cocooned in cosiness.
Temperature is also an important factor for actual coziness. You may not be able to control the outdoor weather, but having a consistently warm and inviting indoor space will complete the ideal hygge atmosphere. Consider adding area rugs to cold floors and place soft blankets within arm’s reach of all your seating.
Bringing Nature Indoors
Hygge honors our relationship to the natural world, incorporating plants and natural materials as key design elements in creating cozy home environments. And since fresh flowers, potted herbs or small succulents can brighten your space and also improve air quality. With natural wood furniture, stone accents and woven baskets, you have no shortage of organic texture that feels grounding and calming.
Creating Ritual Spaces
Create areas inside your home where you can do something hygge-related, like reading, drinking tea, or sitting down to a conversation. You want to feel like you’re escaping from work or other high-energy spaces and entering a serene, mental break. A cozy reading corner with adequate lighting and a side table to hold a favorite beverage can be your own hygge-fy haven.
Wrapping Up
Converting your home into a hygge retreat doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on renovations or have perfect decorating skills. By prioritizing comfort, warmth and personal meaning, you can make spaces that will naturally lift your mood and share doses of contentment every day. As with all things hygge, the main thing is that it makes you feel good in your space, so don’t overthink it — just go with whatever immediately brings you joy and peace.
