Have you heard of Hygge?
It’s time to bring cozy comfort into your life.
It’s pronounced Hyoo-gah and it is a Danish word meaning Cozy.
Did you know that in Denmark it rains about 170 days a year and the sun is a rare visitor? Apparently, the happiest of all people live there and one of the contributing factors is the practice of Hygge.
Hygge is all about creating coziness in your home, your surroundings and in your life. This is a great time of year to practice the art of hygge although you can have this feeling any time of the year.
There is a different feeling in the air once the November snow falls and lays a beautiful blanket of white over Mother Earth. It’s cold outside (in Ontario), and we want to be all warm and cozy in our homes. On these days, I am in my happy place especially if I don’t have to go out anywhere. That is the feeling of hygge.
We are now in the darkest time of the year with the most hours of darkness up until Winter Solstice. This is a great time to make our homes feel as warm, comfortable and cozy as possible.
How to Get More Cozy with Hygge
I think about making a big mug of hot chocolate, getting cozy under my furry blanket and settling in with a good book. Nice soft mood lighting, maybe adding some pretty lights (I love white ones), and lighting a few candles (keeping safety in mind, of course) help to add to the ambiance.
I really crave comfort food at this time of year especially after coming in from the cold. I am thinking about hearty soups with crusty bread, anything with gravy, chilli and creamy pasta dishes. Also, hygge is about treating ourselves and our families to all the good things like enjoying delicious pastries or other desserts. Yummy!
Clearing clutter is an important aspect of Hygge. Change around your room for the season. Create a space where you hang out the most. Hang up some lights to brighten up your space indoors. Clear out the clutter to make space for the new! The more you work on the excess clutter in your home the more hygge you will feel.
What can you do this week to add more hygge to your home?
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Happy Decluttering!
I love the whole vibe of hygge. You have me thinking about what I can do to increase it in my home. I wish I had one of those fireplaces that you can turn on with the flick of a switch. I have two fireplaces, both of which require the full wood. I enjoy this in my family room, but in my living room, I’d rather not be dealing with the whole mess of an actual fire. Still, I long for the warmth and feeling of it all.
I do switch out my curtains and pillows in the fall. This brings a cozier feeling.
I’m happy to clear clutter in any season, and I love that this can be part of creating a cozier, more appealing space.
Thanks Seana – I would love to have a fireplace. I like wood burning fireplaces too but yes it is a lot of physical work and can be messy. Fireplaces are just so cozy though. I am glad I inspired you.
I’m a fan of Hygge. Winter is so dark where we are, too. I like making chilis and warm soups (though this fall is warm and dry), and decluttering does help me enjoy my home more during this time. Thanks for your ideas about Hygge.
Thank you Sabrina,
Yes, I am a huge fan too. I love this time of year when we can spend more time indoors and really create cozy spaces.
Definitely a fan of Hygge especially this time of year. This post gave me warm fuzzies and inspired me to cozy up our home!
Thank you Florena,
Thank you for commenting. So glad I inspired you.
I remember reading “The Little Book of Hygge” a while back and loved all the ideas for creating coziness. I would have a hard time living in a place with so much darkness and little sun. It’s incredibly creative how the Danes figured out how to enjoy it. What a great lesson.
I love all things cozy. With darkness arriving earlier each day now, it signals to me that it’s time to switch out of my day/work clothes and change into my pjs. Nothing makes me happier than snuggling under a warm, soft blanket when the temps are cooler.
Hi Linda, Yes me too. It is pretty interesting how the Danes live. There is so much more to it than what I wrote as well. Be fun to visit them.
I loved reading “The Little Book of Hygge” and its book-y relatives when it came out a few years ago. The Nordic countries really do seem to have a handle on dealing with cold and darkness in a way that nurtures the soul.
I tend to run hot, so I don’t mind the winter temperatures (especially because, although I’m from Buffalo, I’ve lived more than three decades in the south), but the darkness does a doozy on my mood. In the past, attempts to knock out seasonal affective disorder with extra lighting haven’t worked to my satisfaction, and I think this year, both physically and emotionally, I will need to embrace the coziness of Hygge’s approach. Thanks for the great reminder.
Thank you Julie – The Nordic countries sure do know how to make the best out of the dark times. We are getting ready to put up some pretty lights in our window (on the inside) to brighten up those short days. Thanks for commenting!