August 16th, 2018 by Chris Chapman

Be a Bit More Danish Around the Home to be Happier and Healthier

Hygge is a word that’s been around in Scandinavia for centuries, but over the past few years, it’s made its way into Britain in a big way. The hygge revolution gets bigger and bigger every year, so it seems like this is one trend that’s here to stay. But what exactly is hygge and why is it so popular? More importantly, how can you bring a bit of it into your life to make yourself happier and healthier? We’ve got all the answers below, so get yourself a steaming mug of cocoa, snuggle down by a roaring fire, and read on!

What is Hygge?

Hygge is a Danish word that doesn’t have an exact English translation. It’s even hard to pronounce in English, but it’s somewhere between hoo-gah and hue-gah (you have to sort of purse your lips to pronounce it properly!). Hygge is an abstract concept; a state of mind that you can get yourself in by being warm, happy, and relaxed. It’s about forgetting the outside world and cosying up in your living room. It’s about being in good company, laughing and relaxing with people you love. And, most importantly, it’s about being happy. That’s something we could all use a bit more of, isn’t it?

How Can You Get Hygge?

Indoors or outdoors, hygge is best shared with the people you care about Hygge is quite minimalist and anti-commercial, so you don’t need to spend loads of money to ‘get’ it. Focus on making your home cosy and comfortable, but don’t stress over it! Follow your gut and do what makes you happy. Make your home somewhere you enjoy spending time with friends and family or alone, away from work and the stresses of the outside world. Stressing too much about achieving the perfect hygge look is, ironically, not very hygge at all! Hygge is about slowing down, going back to basics, and appreciating the simple things in life. Follow the simple tips below and you’ll find your perfect state of hygge!

Lay Out Your Rooms

The layout of your rooms is hugely important for true hygge. You can completely change the atmosphere of your room by moving furniture around, and you don’t even need to spend a penny! Your living room is especially important as this is where you’ll be entertaining friends and family most of the time. It’s important to de-clutter and make the most out of the space in your living room, but don’t make the mistake of spreading all your sofas and chairs around the edge of the room! You want people to be able to talk to each other without having to shout across the room. Keep furniture away from the windows if possible to help make your room feel really bright and fresh. This will make it much easier to relax in! Remember that Britain, much like Denmark, isn't exactly the sunniest country, so making use of bright colours like whites, creams, and light blues is a good idea to help reflect light around the room.

Hygge Lighting

Make use of lamps and dimmer switches to create a relaxing atmosphere While you want your living room to feel bright and airy in the daytime, you want them to be dimly lit at night. This will help create the relaxing atmosphere that sums up perfect hygge. Get some thick curtains to block out any street lights and get a few low-energy lamps placed tactically around your room. It’s also a good idea to look at some dimmer switches for your lights which are a great way to get the atmosphere of your room just the way you like it with just the turn of a dial.

Soft Acoustics

The acoustics of your home are also hugely important, especially in your living room and bedroom, which should be relaxing spaces. Having lots of hard surfaces and wide open spaces means sounds will appear to be harsher and more echoey. It also means you’ll have to shout louder to be heard clearly, which isn’t exactly the way to create a relaxing atmosphere! Use lots of soft furnishings like upholstered furniture and curtains rather than blinds. You should also use rugs, blankets, and throws to help make the room feel cosier, helping the acoustics of your room as well as helping you feel warmer.

Electric Blankets

Electric blankets can be a stylish addition to your home - and very cosy! Cosy electric blankets are a great way to keep warm in style. Electric blankets are no longer the tatty, beige, too-hot-or-too-cold things of the past! Most electric throws are a bit subtler these days and aren’t obviously electric blankets, so you can use a stylish heated throw as a centrepiece of your décor – just place it on the back of your sofa or on your bed to instantly make your room look a little cosier. Some – like this chocolate Homefront throw – are extra-large, so you can hunker down on the sofa with the whole family to keep warm on those frosty winter nights. What’s more, as you’re only heating yourself rather than the whole room, electric blankets will help you cut heating costs and are better for the environment, so they’ll definitely help you feel more hygge!

Be Personal but Minimalist

Your favourite records can make for a personal touch for your home Hygge is all about being happy and comfortable, and as everyone is different, everyone will have a slightly different version of hygge that’s full of their own personal flair. Because of this, it’s not always a good idea to stick too closely to the pictures you see of hygge on websites; they’re good for general inspiration, but the little personal touches have to be your own. Try putting up lots of pictures and art pieces you enjoy on the walls. You can also display your favourite books on a bookcase, or display some of your classic records, or family heirlooms; anything that makes your house feel like a home. Combine these personal touches with a minimalist approach to furniture to make the most out of your living space without making your rooms feel cluttered. If you’ve got a small living room, you don’t need a huge coffee table to take up space. You don’t want to feel overwhelmed when you’re at home, you want to feel relaxed and in control.

Get Musical

Music is a huge part of creating a hygge atmosphere. Music brings people together and can really help create a relaxing vibe. As we mentioned before, what makes you feel relaxed is what’s personal to you! Quiet acoustic music or jazz is popular among hygge enthusiasts, but if you find that boring and aggravating then that’s totally fine! Put on whatever you want to get you in the mood for relaxation; whether that’s pop, classical, death metal, or anything in between, it depends entirely on your musical taste.

Keep it Simple in the Kitchen

Porridge doesn't have to be boring, it can be a staple of a hygge home Danish cooking is traditionally quite simple but hearty and healthy. Traditional Danish dishes are designed to put some warmth in your belly and leave you feeling satisfied even when the weather outside is cold and miserable. Try taking some inspiration from Danish dishes; it’s a great way to feel healthier and often it doesn’t cost much! Porridge is huge in Denmark, and it’s a dish you can make any way you like. Go sweet with some fresh fruits and nuts, or go savoury with some bacon. You could also get some Danish pastries in and host a coffee night in your living room. Hygge is all about connecting with the people you love over the little things, so using some Danish food to bring your friends and family together is a great idea!