How to Bring Hygge into Your Home
Words by Michaela Quinn
October 13, 2016
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3m
As winter draws in, now is a great time to focus attention on your home. Colder weather and darker nights mean that we spend more time hibernating indoors during the autumn and winter months, so adding that extra touch of cosiness and comfort is an important task.
The Danish have mastered this art of living cosily, known as 'hygge'. The hygge aesthetic (pronounced “hoo-guh”) is the perfect way to beat the winter blues that come with cold, dark nights. So, how can you adopt hygge interior design in your own home?
What is ‘hygge’ style?
Hygge is a central principle in Danish interior design. VisitDenmark.co.uk describes it as “creating a nice, warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people around you."
In short, it’s about celebrating the homely details of everyday life and embracing social interactions. Most hygge décor is designed to be warm, welcoming, and subtle, with elements taken from the Nordic look that has become so popular in recent years.
Create a snug seating space
The key to hygge is spending quality time with loved ones in a cosy and comfortable setting. To embrace the concept, you need an inviting area to gather with friends and family, whether it's a dining table for weekend dinners or a cosy sofa that you can sink into for a cup of tea and conversation.
Choosing soft fabric sofas and upholstered chairs can help you sink into a sumptuous seating area, while accent lighting can add an inviting, layered look to your space. Experiment with your design and see how you can add some hygge style to your room.
Cosy up with cushions & throws
When it's cold outside, there’s no better way to embrace hygge than snuggling up indoors. Who doesn't love an evening of lounging at home with a warm blanket and a good book? Layering up with throws and blankets can help keep the cold at bay, while also accessorising your room with a pop of homely colour.
Make your living space as cosy as possible by updating your sofa with some comfy cushions. Denmark is renowned for its chic and contemporary home style, so to really get on board with their way of living, look for accessories that don't just feel great but look great too. Faux fur throws and fluffy pillows are ideal for giving your room an added touch of both comfort and style.
Fill your home with light
With up to 17 hours of darkness per day in the depths of winter, lighting is an integral part of hygge in Denmark. Danish homes are almost always filled with candles and soft lighting to create a lovely glow on an evening.
As the nights draw in, banish the darkness in your own home by adding extra ambient lighting in every room. Light the fire, dot candles around your living space, and invest in some stylish new table lamps to brighten dark corners.
No matter the size or design of your home, hygge style is a simple yet satisfying concept to adopt. With just a few small changes, you can really enjoy your living space and embrace the delight of Danish cosiness.
Add softness with tactile textures
One of the key elements of hygge décor is cosy soft furnishings and tactile textures that are warm to the touch. Not only do they help ward off the harsh cold of the Danish winter, but their soft surfaces also help bring back positive memories of home, making your design even more inviting.
Try adding a faux-fur rug to wooden floors for a comfy underfoot feel, or layer up blankets and pillows for sumptuous seating in a hygge living room.
Use materials from nature
Hygge interior design loves taking inspiration from the natural world, so avoid using synthetic materials like plastic for your furniture. Instead, try adding wood and stone to your design for a look that will help you get in touch with the world around you.
You can also try adding ceramic touches to your design through planters and vases. These will allow you to bring greenery to your space to deepen your room’s connection to nature.
Opt for a natural, earthy palette
Earthy tones, such as terracotta, sage green, and beige, can help create a grounded and relaxing atmosphere in your room. These earthy tones have become a particular favourite in interior design recently, and the hygge aesthetic uses them to further reinforce the human connection to the natural world.
Give your room a homely vibe with cosy nooks
One way to make your hygge-style room feel even more homely is to make as much use of your space as possible. If your room has an unused corner, try sprucing it up with comfortable seating and hygge décor to create a cosy reading nook, or add a desk to your hygge bedroom for a private study area.
These additions are handy when styling a small living room, as they’ll help you make the most of the unused elements of your room layout. No part of your room should feel unhomely, so it’s crucial to pay attention to your whole design to maximise the hygge aesthetic in your space. Try applying some stylish alcove ideas to any awkward nooks created by unusual wall layouts in your hygge room.
You should now have all you need to add a touch of hygge style to your home’s décor. If you’re looking for more design inspiration, our blog has plenty of style guides and top tips for making the most of your home. Whether you’re choosing the perfect sofa for a small living room or creating a cosy winter garden, we can help you bring your home design dreams to life.