Embrace Hygge Home Design this Season
The snow is falling quietly outside, the fireplace is casting a soft glow, cozy blankets and comforting beverages are warming us from the inside out. Our team at Rooms with Style is embracing the Danish concept of hygge (pronounced HUE-GAH) this winter season.
Hygge is the feeling of coziness and contentment. The Danes believe hygge leads to greater feelings of happiness. There are many ways to create hygge including spending time with loved ones, enjoying warm comfort foods, spending time in the outdoors, and being present in the here and now. Some elements of hygge can can be created by the atmosphere we create in our home. Here we will outline a few ways to style your home this season in a “hyggelig” (hygge-like) way.
Create a Cozy Corner
Hygge is about presence and comfort; embracing the here and now, and finding comfort in your environment. A great way to do this is to create a cozy corner or area in your home that is inviting and relaxing during the day and evening hours. Add blankets and pillows to a comfortable chair or couch that will encourage you to sit down and focus on one activity, such as reading a good book or enjoying a hobby. Add a task lamp to your space to make it easy to work on a knitting or embroidery project in the evening once it gets dark.
Photo Source: Bless’er House Blog
Dim the Lights
Hygge is about ambiance and pleasure; enjoying the simple pleasures in life and enjoying the beauty of your environment. To create this in your home, focus on your lighting. Add soft ambient light in your home in the form of candles or strings of twinkle lights. Avoid bright overhead lighting and instead create a calming, peaceful atmosphere with table lamps and floor lamps. Add mini lamps to areas like your kitchen or bathroom.
Photo Source: Decor Matters Blog
Rearrange Furniture
Hygge is about equality and harmony; that “we” is more important than “me”. To create this in your home, rearrange your furniture to encourage togetherness and hospitality. Instead of placing furniture to face a television screen, arrange it so that sitting areas face each other, or so that a seating area faces the fireplace. Doing so will encourage conversation, game play and quality time with family and friends.
Photo Source: She Gave It A Go Blog
Bring the Outside In
Hygge is about gratitude; to take in all the season has to offer. To bring about gratitude in your home, embrace the outdoors. Open windows in your home regularly to bring fresh air in. Decorate with artwork depicting winter scenes to encourage you to appreciate the season and remember to spend time outdoors. Add fresh greenery to your home in the form of pine boughs and plants such as Christmas Cactuses; whose scents and colors will work to uplift your mood and appreciate the season.
Embracing hygge in your home design this season is a mindful way to enjoy life during the long winter months. We hope these design ideas have given you inspiration for your own home; a place that nurtures a sense of contentment and well-being.
Author: Marla Carlson, RWS Guest Blogger