There’s a trend floating around the internet and bookstores called Hygge. I’ve been doing hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) unintentionally since I moved into my own apartment in June where I have made my home into a little nest of happiness. For those who are new to the word, it is a Danish way of life; the closest translation being coziness or warmth.
To the Danish, hygge means creating a warm and familiar atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life. It’s basically creating a warm candle lit nook that brings you a sort of peace; a calm sacred place where you can celebrate everyday in the simplest form. With winter well underway in Canada, I couldn’t think of a better time to add a little more hygge to my life. After all, the winter is when everyone’s bundled inside enjoying friends and families company with good food and stories. Here’s some ways you can add more hygge to your home.
Keep Lighting Soft
One of the main components of hygge is to have your home filled with a soft glow. There is no unnatural lighting with the hygge, you simply light candles and enjoy a crackling fire to keep your house lit up. There is something undeniably soft and calming about the flicker of a flame, don’t you agree?
Wear Comfy Clothing
Throwing on some oversized clothes will always a win for me when it comes to comfort and coziness. For traditional hygge, try wearing oversized knitcardigans, thick wool socks and loose pants. There are few things more comforting that being engulfed by cozy clothes.
Enjoy a Warm Drink
Warm drinks are a must with hygge! When enjoying your newly relaxing, space make a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate or even some hot water with lemon. Serve in a cute China tea cup or a mug that makes you smile.
Surround Yourself with Loved Ones
One of the main points of hygge is enjoying your space with friends and family as you sit round the living room or kitchen table, simply enjoying each others company. Spending the evening playing games and eating yummy comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere. Although the tradition says you need people to have a real hygge, I’ve recently read about how some Danish are changing the rules and making it their own by carving out “me time.” As a hermit crab who enjoys solitude, this is something I can get behind!
Get Offline
You need to be present when you are practicing hygge. Switch off your TV, laptop, put your phone away and grab a book. Reading, self-reflecting and being in the moment is an important part of hygge. You can even just listen to some light music, talk to a friend or meditate – as long as you are present and aren’t being distracted by the busyness of technology.
Fill Your Home With Cozy Decor
Fluffy cushions, cozy blankets, fuzzy rugs are all crucial for setting the atmosphere for hygge. In general, you want your home to feel like the cutest, coziest cabin you’ve ever been too. Imagine candles scattered around, books piled in the corners, blankets draped over your soft chairs. What you picture when you think of cozy is what you’re home should look or feel like!
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So interesting, Shelby! I hadn’t heard of Hygge before!
Yay I’m glad you liked it! I think it’s a great way to do things 🙂
ive heard of hygge before, i think i need to get a book on it because i find it so interesting
Hannah at Hannah Venables / A CREATIVE LIFESTYLE BLOG
Ya it’s interesting when you read about it it is it seems like such a more relaxed way of living!
I recently discovered hygge and now I see people talking about it all over the internet. I love that inspirational lifestyles become popular. I definitely think that 2017 will be the year of hygge and I can’t wait to learn more about it! Thanks for sharing 🙂
xx Cecile // http://www.wednesday19th.blogspot.com
It’s really blown up hey!? I think 2017 will definitely be the year of the hygge too. Everyone seems to be leaning towards a more inspirational lifestyle which is awesome 🙂 Thanks for reading <3
I’m reading the Hygge book right now! Great tips, especially in the winter! Comfy blankets and hot chocolate are my go-to’s 😉
http://www.morethanrubies.ca
Haha same! You can’t beat hot chocolate and warm close on a winter night 😛
That was really helpful. Thanks for sharing the post. I’ve heard about “hygge” but never got the concept. I love the idea of “hygge” and I will definitelly try this. 🙂
Lucie xx http://www.inbluebox.com
Yay I’m happy you liked it! I was worried I wouldn’t do it justice. Thanks for reading Lucie! 🙂
I really love the concept and idea of hygge, plus if I can wear my comfiest clothes then I’m all ears!
Jodie // jodieloue.com
It’s really nice isn’t it?! Seems like a good excuse to break out the onesies 😛
I love this! Also, I LOLed at the pronunciation – I had no idea, I’ve been saying it wrong this whole time!
http://objectsicantafford.com
Me to! I was pronouncing it “hee-geee” for the longest time!
I’ve been eyeing the Hygge book for a few weeks now. I think I’ll have to pick up a copy. It sounds like my kind of way to live! Great post!
Thank you! The Danish have it figured out I wish I would have learned of this sooner! If you’re talking about that blue and white book by Meik Wiking it’s a pretty good read 🙂
Yay I was so worried I wasn’t going to get it right! Thats good to hear haha. Thanks for expanding on it it sounds like a really good way to live, just peaceful and nice 🙂
I love the concept of Hygge! I’ve seen so much about it lately. Really want to pick up a copy of “The Little Book of Hygge”!
Ali | http://alibourke.com
Hah! This is too strange (in a good way though). I´m a Dane and hygge is a very natural part of my life. I am so used to trying to explain what hygge is to my non danish friends, so finding this post written by someone who is not a Dane and clearly gets what hygge is just made my day. Thank you Shelby!!