Over the past few years, and especially over the Christmas season, you might have heard the term ‘hygge’ being used frequently in magazines, online articles and on the tv.
But what is it?
Well, hygge (pronounced hoo-gah), is a Danish way of living by finding joy in the little things in life. It can’t be translated into one word, instead it is a complete lifestyle. Think of cosy atmospheres, the flickering of your favourite candle, a cosy blanket or two on the sofa, a mug of hot cocoa with all the extras - pure bliss.
Hygge isn’t a passing trend, in fact it has always been a part of Danish culture, and could explain why they clock in as the happiest country in the world!
Practicing hygge doesn’t focus on wealth and materialistic things to create happiness, and instead centres around a cosy home, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying all the good things in life that you truly love.
Read on to find out how you can introduce hygge to your lifestyle.
1. Light it Up
Fill every room with your favourite candles and use twinkling fairy lights to create a soft pools of light around your home. Overhead lights are fine for finding a lost earring in the carpet, but keep them switched off during your down-time and rely on dimmed table lamps and candlelight to help you relax.
2. Bring The Outdoors In
As well as working as a feature in the room, plants have an enormous amount of benefits for our well-being. Choose a green, leafy plant with air-purifying abilities to help keep the room feeling cleansed and calm. Chinese evergreen, snake plants and weeping fig trees are perfect examples.
3. Choose a Neutral Palette for Your Home
Warm, earthy tones throughout your home will create well-balanced décor that won’t go out of fashion anytime soon. Try to avoid bright colours and busy patterns on the walls. Natural materials like wooden floors, wooden kitchen counters, flower sprigs, woven baskets and chunky knitted soft furnishings all work well together when aiming for a hygge home.
4. Switch Off Technology
It’s so hard to stop yourself from spending the whole evening scrolling through Instagram, binging a box-set on Netflix or stepping away from your work emails. However, giving yourself even one or two evenings free from technology will help you unwind after a busy day at work, and sleep better at night. Be in the present, soak up everything that’s happening around you and enjoy spending more quality time with those you love - and not your phone.
5. Bring in The Books
When was the last time you enjoyed a book that wasn’t in iBooks or on your Kindle? (guilty)
On your technology-free nights why not snuggle up on the sofa with a cosy throw, a cuppa and a good paperback book, or treat yourself to a subscription of your favourite magazine for the rest of the year.
5. Keep the Warm Drinks Coming
Even us Brits know that a cup of tea can solves everything.
One of the main factors of the hygge lifestyle is feeling of being warm and cosy, so stock up on all your favourite coffee, teas and hot chocolate.
Treat yourself to a shiny new mug to enjoy them in too if you like, and don’t skip the trimmings - creamer for your coffee, marshmallows for your cocoa, go for it!
6. Make Your Fireplace a Feature
If you’re lucky enough to have a real fireplace in your home, then you’ll understand how enjoyable sitting round a cosy fire with your loved ones can be. If you don’t have one don’t worry.
Chunky wooden logs draped in sparkly fairy lights make a stunning feature in corners and alcoves, and the flicker of an LED fireplace works just as well as a real flame to create a welcoming atmosphere for guests.
7. Upgrade Your Loungewear
It helps to be nice cosy when it comes to getting your hygge on, so invest in the likes of soft and snuggly jumpers, knitted joggers, fleecy slipper socks and plush robes to wrap yourself up in.
8. De-Clutter Your Home
Tidy home, tidy mind. Kick-start your road to peace and tranquillity with an entire house de-clutter, Marie Kondo style. Hold on to precious mementos and bin anything that doesn’t have a story behind it or ‘spark joy’ for you. Clear, labelled storage containers instead of busy packaging make food cupboards look organised and well kept. Store your magazines in a tidy rack and fold clothes away neatly using the famous Kon Marie method.
You’ll thank us the next time you’re looking for something - it’ll be exactly where it should be.
9. Set The Table
There’s fewer things in life that are better than enjoying a good meal with your loved ones. Cook up a comforting favourite like a big pot of chilli, a roast chicken or warming soup and get your friends and family round to share the moment. You don’t have to spend money on decorations, or crack out your good cutlery for the event - just enjoy the company and dig in.
10. Do Some Good
It’s no secret or surprise that doing a good deed makes us feel happy inside, so let’s all come together and do it more often!
Calling in on someone who you know lives alone, volunteering at an animal shelter one weekend, or donating a bag to your local food bank are all simple ways you can help your community and get that warm ‘hygge’ feeling.
11. Double Up on Soft Furnishings
Finally, make sure you have plenty of soft furnishings in your living room and bedrooms. Plush scatter cushions, textured blankets and sofa throws all make a room look comfortable and inviting. A truly hygge space that your friends and family will never want to leave!
Remember, this lifestyle isn’t just for winter. Cook outdoors for loved ones in the summer, wrap up and watch the stars with a soft blanket and a mug of hot tea at night, or spend your Sundays relaxing in the garden with that book you’ve wanted to read forever.
Check out our homeware category that’s packed with cosy accessories you’ll love this season.
Happy hygge!