Hygge Decor Guide: How to Add Hygge Style to Your Home

Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is a concept derived from an old Norwegian word meaning “well-being” and has become an important part of Danish culture. The Danes started incorporating hygge into their lifestyles after the word appeared in Danish texts in the eighteenth century. The term can be used as an adjective, noun, or verb.

You have experienced hygge if you have delighted in the comfort of curling up in sweatpants and drinking a cup of tea or hot chocolate, snuggled indoors with loved ones in cold winter months, or enjoyed a picnic in the park on a warm summer evening surrounded by friends.

Hygge decor is inviting and cozy, revolving around creating an atmosphere in your own home that encourages togetherness and appreciating the good things in life. Hygge design trends, marked by comforting neutral colors and natural materials, are a signature mark of the Danish lifestyle.

The release of the 2017 book The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking, founder of Copenhagen’s Happiness Research Institute, introduced the rest of the world to Denmark’s secret. The book became a New York Times bestseller, and people across the globe have since tried to mimic the Danes by adding more comfort to their lives, homes, and wellness routines.

The hygge experience around the globe has evolved through these nordic decor ideas. The simple decorating ideas are open to interpretation, as they are meant to bring a feeling of contentment into the home—which will vary for different cultures and personalities.

One of the best ways to incorporate hygge into your way of life year-round is with minimalist home decor. Here are home design tips to help you embrace hygge in your living space:

1. 1. Soft textiles: Decorate with accessories like throw blankets, throw pillows, faux fur area rugs, or sheepskin-lined blankets to create a warm cocoon on a cold night.
2. 2. Neutral color schemes: White walls or warm neutrals create a calming canvas. Hygge decor is marked by natural elements such as wood, bamboo, and plants.
3. 3. Mood lighting: Set the tone with string lights for a diffused source of illumination. Hang them in the living room, dining room, or bedroom. Use fairy lights to illuminate a fireplace mantle, adorn windows, or add a glow inside the fireplace in place of a fire.
4. 4. Comforting scents: There’s a reason realtors suggest baking cookies before an open house—the familiar scent of a childhood home creates a cozy and welcoming environment. Instead of mixing up a batch of cookies, try scented candles. Warm aromas like ginger, vanilla, cinnamon, or orange contribute to a relaxing atmosphere.
5. 5. Reading nook: Adapt hygge style to your love of literature. Set up a comfy space in which you can enjoy a good book and a cup of coffee.

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