As we enter the dark winter months, many of us naturally seek out ways to nest and make our homes cozy and inviting. In recent years, the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) has become hugely popular in the décor and lifestyle world, and you’ve probably noticed books, blogs, hashtags, magazine spreads, and more all dedicated to the lovely concept.

So, what is hygge? Its exact definition is slightly intangible, and there isn’t an English translation that fully does it justice, but it describes a mindset and way of living that the Danes have adopted. It’s all about living a cozy, welcoming, warm, and present lifestyle. It’s about living in the moment, enjoying the little things, and infusing your life with a sense of home, friendliness, and love.

Hygge can be practiced in all areas of your life, from the way you dress to how you choose to go through your day (mindfully, rather than rushed and overscheduled), but it’s probably most recognized (outside of Denmark at least) as a way of decorating your home.

Search #HyggeHome on Instagram and you’ll find over 200K posts of people’s cozy and inviting homes. Fireplaces, chunky knit blankets, and mugs of tea are common fixtures, as is a general sense of a calm and inviting home. A hygge home is one in which you’d imagine yourself curling up with a good book and a mug of hot chocolate.

So how do you achieve this sought-after style? That’s what we’re here to break down for you today! Keep in mind that while hygge is often associated with winter months and colder climate, it can actually apply to all seasons and climates because at its core, it’s about creating a warm and inviting environment that makes everyone who visits feel like they’re at home.

Tip #1: Get the lighting right



Nothing helps set the tone for your home quite like lighting. Even the most gorgeous décor won’t look quite right under harsh fluorescent lights. To bring hygge into your home, start with warm light bulbs and stylish light fixtures that enhance your room’s décor.

Fireplaces are also uber-hygge, and if you aren’t one of the fortunate ones who have you in your home, you can always opt for a plug-in electrical fireplace. They’re so cozy in any room of the home, not just a living room!

Candles are also a must! Many Danish homes have them scattered throughout, and there is nothing quite like candlelight. To keep your air clean, make sure you’re using only high-quality candles that are made with natural ingredients. Many candles are made from low-grade and toxic products that are released into the air when the candle is lit. Beeswax candles are a great natural alternative that actually help to purify the air in your home, as are our line of pure essential oil and natural wax candles.

Tip #2: Add in aspects of nature



Incorporating aspects of nature into your home creates a sense of warmth and realness that you just don’t get from exclusively store-bought items. A vase of fresh flowers on the kitchen counter, a bough of pine on the mantel, or a window sill herb garden are all pieces of nature than can help to warm up your space.

Purchasing items that are made from natural materials also helps to create a beautiful (and eco-friendly) home environment. A raw edge counter top, or a hand knit wool blanket are lovely examples.

Our bedding and bath products are made from 100% organic cotton, making them the perfect hygge addition for your bedroom and bathroom!

Tip #3: Stay organized



Well, this one is easier said than done! But keeping your home as clean and neat as possible gives it a sense of order and calm that is very soothing and inviting. Your external space has a profound effect on your mental and emotional state and having an overly cluttered or messy home can leave you feeling frazzled and anxious.

Hygge is about much more than aesthetics. It’s also about living mindfully and with a sense of ease and calm, so keeping your home organized is a huge contributor to achieving this essence.

Tip #4: You can never have enough blankets and pillows

Throw blankets, faux fur blankets, duvets, fluffy pillows, decorative pillows- it’s all good! It’s amazing how much a well-placed throw blanket or fluffy pillow can add to the look and feel of your home. Add them to a bench, couch, chair, bed, etc., to take it from functional to heavenly.

Our 100% organic and responsibly sourced down duvets are beyond cozy for your bed, but we also love the twin size as an amazing living room blanket to cozy up on the couch with!

Tip #5: Stick to neutral colors



You don’t need to avoid all color to achieve your hygge vibe, but in general it is a style that leans more towards neutral tones. Neutral tones create a more relaxing, fresh, and minimal environment, which are all things that hygge stands for.

Tip #6: Add in fairy lights

Nothing adds in an instant dash of magic like a string of fairy lights. Line them along your kitchen counter, wrap them around your bedframe, string them along a wall, place them in a jar- the options are truly endless and there’s never a bad place to put them. They add a warmth and glow that is synonymous with hygge.

Tip #7: Use layers and texture

This doesn’t mean your space has to be cluttered or too busy, but by layering and mixing in different textures, you create a warmer atmosphere and give your rooms a more multidimensional look.

This can be as simple as throwing a blanket over the side of your couch or arranging different style frames on your wall to create a gallery wall. Another hygge look that has become really popular is to layer your rugs- a small sheepskin placed over a larger area rug is a beautiful hygge touch.

Tip #8: Make it your own



As we said earlier, what hygge really comes down to is creating a warm and welcoming space that you and your loved ones feel happy and at ease in. What makes a house a home is the unique and personalized touched that you bring to it. So while the above guidelines are helpful in achieving a nice hygge home feel, the most important ingredient is what you bring to the space.

Adding in pieces that you love and that feel right to you will allow your space to exude a feeling that it is a lived in and loved space. Framing your children’s art work, stacking your favourite books, having your favourite fresh flowers, or displaying a unique family heirloom are all examples of ways that you can make your space your own little slice of hygge heaven.