Hygge Winter Ideas for Your Home
29 November 2023
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As the nights draw in earlier and the festive season hurtles towards us, the desire to make our homes cosy and wintery increases. After all, this is the period of the year we get the most use out of our homes, so why wouldn’t you want it to feel as welcoming as possible?
One movement that has grown in popularity to achieve this feeling is hygge. Which isn’t surprising when you think about it. We mean, who knows more about creating cosy atmospheres than the Danish? With that in mind, we’ve created this handy guide packed with hygge ideas to bring a touch of Denmark to your home this winter.
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What is Hygge?
Hard to explain and even harder to pronounce, the Danish word "hygge" (pronounced hoo-gah) has exploded in popularity in recent years. Roughly translating to "cosiness", the concept of hygge goes much further than just a knitted throw and an extra bar on the fire. So, what does it really mean, and how can you achieve a genuinely hygge winter?
In essence, hygge culture is all about creating warm atmospheres that emphasises the good things and people in life. The warm glow of candlelight, cosying up to watch a movie with loved ones, and even discussing the day's topics with friends and family over a warm drink can all be considered a part of a hygge winter. That may be why the Danish people consistently score highly for happiness.
Benefits of hygge décor
Before you decide whether a hygge winter is for you, it’s worth looking at the benefits of adopting this way of life on your general wellbeing. These benefits include:
Comfort – The main focus of hygge is to create comfortable spaces. When you decorate your environment in this style, you’ll feel much more relaxed in your home.
Cosiness – As its namesake suggests, hygge puts a lot of emphasis on cosy furnishings and experiences. With its warm but neutral colour palette and focus on soft textiles, hygge homes are designed to create an inviting feeling during the colder seasons of the year.
Calmness – Less stuff equals less stress, meaning you’ll immediately feel a sense of calm whenever you walk into your home or specific room.
Improved sleep – There are some physical benefits to adopting a hygge approach to your home. A calm and relaxing environment will promote a great sense of peace in your life, allowing you to sleep longer and deeper. Studies have shown that getting ample z’s has an increasingly positive impact on your health and wellbeing – so hygge could be the secret to a healthier future.
Better mindfulness – Choosing to design your home in a hygge style can help you be more aware of your surroundings, value the things you buy more, and appreciate the little things in life.
Declutter your home
Hygge sensibility is all about appreciating the small things in life, not necessarily just the physical stuff. With that in mind, it's a great idea to declutter your space to remove unnecessary elements that might cloud your ability to relax or focus on what's important.
Keep your décor as simple as possible, avoiding overcrowding on shelves and tables. Instead, find a few key pieces of artwork that you love and make them the focal point while the wall around them remains blank. This will not only allow you to display the items you truly treasure but also put extra emphasis on them that can spark conversation with your loved ones.
Fire is your friend
Is there anything more comforting than a crackling fire? If you're lucky enough to have a working fire in your home, it'll be your best friend when creating a hygge atmosphere. However, if you don't have a fireplace, don't fear; you can make the same feeling with candles.
Disclaimer: If you choose to use a fire or candles, please take the correct precautions, including testing your fire alarms regularly and ensuring no flame is left unattended. You can learn more about winter fire safety in our guide.
Soften your space
Since cosiness is the foundation of a hygge home, you must ensure plenty of soft textiles are around you. Look for ultra-soft throws and pillows that add a warm look and feel to your space. Instead of standard area rugs, try something like a shag pile or faux fur texture to boost the cosy feel.
Incorporate home fragrance
Bring your space to life with a signature scent that embodies the hygge feel. You can pick up scented candles and oil diffusers in various fragrances that give off this feel. If you’re struggling to land on a smell that brings that Danish flare to your home, here are some scent suggestions that scream hygge home:
- Clove
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Cinnamon
- Orange
- White Fir
- Myrrh
- Frankincense
- Pine
- Fir Needle
- Eucalyptus
- Peppermint
For the most part, you won’t have to look too far for these aromas. Most well-known home fragrance brands stock seasonal scents that contain these ingredients, as they provide that cosy feel that we often craze in the run-up to the festive period.
Think about your lighting
Lighting can contribute to your home’s atmosphere hugely, and nowhere is this more accurate than when trying to create a hygge feel to your space. Here are some lighting tips to help:
- Use candles for ambience
- Replace bright lighting with warm glow bulbs
- Utilise your lamps for a cosy vibe
- Minimize harsh overhead lighting
In conclusion
We hope you’ve found this guide helpful and given you some hygge ideas for your home. If you want more home tips, why not check out our My Place hub for more content like this.