Did you know that Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world? And this despite its long winters and dark days. What's the "recipe"?
The secret lies in the word "hygge," which has spread throughout the world in recent years. A lifestyle based on simplicity and slowness, and above all, on treating the home as a place of well-being.
The hygge style goes far beyond furnishings... But it starts precisely here. Precisely because of their long, cold winters, Northern Europeans spend a lot of time indoors, transforming simple dwellings into cozy and welcoming "nests" in which to retreat and relax. In short: hygge-style furnishings are the first step towards a different life.
Want to try it too? Here's a ready-to-use guide: you'll discover that recreating hygge-style furnishings is neither difficult nor expensive... All it takes is a little creativity!
Learn to slow down: a hygge-style life
So, what does a hygge-style life look like? "Hygge" is a word impossible to translate because it encompasses so many different things.
First: the joy of the little things. The hygge lifestyle is simple and doesn't require any great luxuries. For example, you don't necessarily need to book a table at the coolest restaurant to spend a pleasant evening. Even inviting a few friends over for a chat can make a difficult week wonderful (by the way, opening your home to friends is one of the cornerstones of the hygge philosophy).
Then, slowness. Sure, we have a lot to do, and unfortunately, not all of us have the opportunity to slow down. But we can always try to carve out some "hygge moments."
For example: had a hectic day? At least in the evening, when your commitments are finally over, wait to turn on the TV or check social media. We're already hyper-connected during the day! Instead, boil some water, make a herbal tea, and choose a book to read or a photo album to browse. Light a candle. Start a conversation. In short: try to relax in a simple and genuine way.
Finally, a hygge lifestyle begins at home. Because "hygge" also means creating a restful and comfortable environment, a place that radiates warmth, well-being, peace, and tranquility.
Here: we can help you. Read the next section to find out how to recreate perfect hygge-style decor at home.
Hygge decor: which furniture to choose
Scenario 1: You're renovating your home from scratch or you have the opportunity to make a few "upheavals." And you've decided to decorate your home in hygge style. Where to start?
We'll let you in on a secret: the most important aspect of hygge decor is the choice of materials. The key word: naturalness!
Use lots of wood, starting with the flooring. Decorating your home in hygge style always starts with a beautiful light parquet floor in oak, ash, walnut, bamboo... Even the furniture surfaces are made of wood, unlacquered but natural, or stone.
Fabrics play a crucial role in hygge decor. Sofas and armchairs are made of rough materials, like bouclé wool, and with cushions and blankets, they transform into soft nests to curl up in. The same goes for beds, which are best covered in fabric. Rugs are soft and long-haired, ideal for walking barefoot; curtains embrace the natural beauty of linen.
Colors are also important. Bright hues aside: a hygge home is a soft cloud of neutral and luminous shades like white, beige, gray, dove gray, and ivory.
It goes without saying that the most suitable furniture style for decorating a home in hygge style is Scandinavian. Furniture with a minimalist beauty, combining white with natural wood tones, furnishes a home with discretion; they often have square lines, softened by 1960s details like outward-angled "feet."
And what if you don't have the luxury of decorating your home from scratch? Here's option 2: transform your nest into an impeccable hygge home by simply taking care of the accessories.
How to have a hygge home without changing the decor
We've seen that a hygge home is a bright and comfortable environment that exudes well-being and tranquility. All this is possible even without completely overhauling the furniture. A hygge-style home is something we can all achieve!
Lighting is crucial. Focus on natural light as much as possible, perhaps using mirrors and lots of white. Did you know that in Northern European countries, the blinds are never closed? Let the sun shine in!
For artificial lighting, choose soft lighting. Opt for warm white bulbs, but above all, create bright spots in the corners of the home with lanterns and string lights. Simple chandeliers, such as ceiling lamps, are best, while three-legged wooden floor lamps are ideal for floor lamps.
But above all, use plenty of candles! Scented candles are a must for a hygge-style home; they're inexpensive and instantly create a sense of ambiance.
Then, the accessories. Abstract prints and monochrome, textured paintings in neutral colors are perfect for the walls, as are modern woven tapestries. And a large vase with a slightly rough, hand-crafted look will add a very Nordic touch to any corner when decorated with twisted branches, dried flowers, or pampas grass.
Even if you don't have the means to buy new furniture, you can use what you already have to create relaxation corners. Try placing a pouf next to an armchair, upholstering a bench under the window, or arranging some pillows on a rug near a beautiful lamp: it will be your refuge for reading and unwinding.
Finally, the fabrics. The easiest and most fun part. An unsuitable floor can be covered with a beautiful faux fur rug, which instantly creates a "hygge" feeling at home. A fabric sofa throw can completely transform a living room. Soft wool blankets and embroidered pillows will do the rest.
A cute idea is to keep an extra blanket for guests in a wicker basket next to the sofa: a typical detail of any respectable hygge-style home that, moreover, encourages conviviality and will make friends feel at home.
A practical example: the hygge-style kitchen
Want a practical example of how to transform a "normal" home into a hygge home, using existing furniture?
It's easy when it comes to the bedroom and living room: as we've seen, pillows and blankets can be a big help. But what about rooms like the kitchen? Let's find out how to furnish a hygge-style kitchen: furniture, accessories, and a little DIY!
First of all, the colors. White and natural wood are always the ideal choice; if our cabinets aren't like this and we can't replace them, we can always sand them and repaint them. Tiles—if we don't like them—can also be painted or covered with special stickers. And if the floor isn't suitable, we can cover it, at least partially, with rubber mats with geometric patterns.
If you have open shelves, great! Throw away the plastic wrappers (or, better yet, try buying ingredients in bulk) and arrange cookies and flour in glass jars, clearly visible: they'll help beautify your hygge kitchen. Even small pots and cutting boards left exposed are very in keeping with the theme: you can hang them on the wall or on a kitchen utensil holder.
The rest will be up to the accessories: a wall clock, a linen tablecloth, a decorative runner... the possibilities are endless. If you have wooden benches, try decorating them with small faux fur stoles, as is done in the mountains. You can also create a rustic centerpiece yourself with tree trunk sections, glass jars, dried flowers, and candles. And you'll see what a wonderful atmosphere it will create.
In short: achieving a hygge style, both in your decor and in your life, isn't that difficult. Just remember the key principles: simplicity, slowness, and well-being. Make your home a relaxing environment where you can enjoy being alone or inviting your loved ones over. That's it. Let us know how it goes!
