Published on 07:52 PM, April 30, 2022

Embracing Hygge décor for a cosy home

Photo: Sazzad Ibne Sayed

Ask any Dane why they are considered one of the happiest nations in the world and they will answer you with one simple word: hygge. The word hygge doesn't directly translate into English, but for the people who live in Denmark, it implies comfort, warmth, and personal well-being. Vis-à-vis this word, Hygge décor refers to the minimalistic interior decoration that prioritises the qualities of cosiness and ease and incorporates the Danish idea of hygge.
Have you ever walked into a home and felt like you could live there in peace and harmony? Well, Hygge décor evokes such emotions in you as it is both inviting and cosy and helps you to create an atmosphere that encourages togetherness and mental well-being.
So, below are some simple pointers so that you can easily bring hygge to your home décor and live each day with more equanimity.         

With Hygge, the simpler the better
Hygge décor motivates everyone to find pleasure in the simpler things in life, so to incorporate hygge in the home décor, one needs to opt for warm and natural materials for the functional and decorative objects. As natural materials provide warmth and gentleness to any home, wood is an ideal option for floors, furniture, and other embellishments.  And by any means, do not overwhelm the rooms as a visually heavy surrounding makes it difficult for anyone to relax and be at ease. Try using soft lighting to create a peaceful ambience: candles, lamps, and fireplaces are always present in a home that is filled with hygge. Also, you can take inspiration from the Scandinavian décor style and use scattered scented candles and fairy lights throughout the living space.  
Make the walls a buoyant canvas for neutral colours—white-on-white, light grey or other muted tones are the perfect colour schemes. Pair them with beige or pastel coloured wood furniture, and voila! You can easily add a Scandinavian touch to your loving home. Moreover, wood tones not only bring balminess to any household, it equally makes one feel close to nature. 

Invite nostalgia and homeliness
The notion of hygge teaches us to treasure the moments we spend with our loved ones—more precisely, to be more appreciative and grateful. So, instead of rushing to the store to buy new decorative items, try to utilise what you have already such as the antique decorative items that you have inherited from your grandmother.
To add softness and create a homely environment, choose soft textiles with natural fibres such as cotton, linen, wool or real fur to decorate your home. You can also use hand-printed cotton placemats and napkins by arranging them with natural colourful flowers to create a welcoming dining space.
And there you go—cook a hearty and special meal, invite your friends or family, put on soft lighting, let any jazz or piano music flow throughout the room and enjoy a fulfilling quality time with friends and family as hygge is essentially about cosy togetherness.

The kernel of Hygge décor: Hyggekrog
Don't we all love to cuddle in a corner with a delicious cup of coffee or one of our favourite books and enjoy a few calming, peaceful moments! Every home that treasures hygge requires that perfect place to curl up with a soft blanket or comforter, and the Danes term this special spot as the hyggekrog.
To create a hyggekrog or a cosy corner, you can use a comfy chair or your favourite corner of the sofa—or else, you can set up a personal space by the window. Layer pillows and throws with multi-coloured texture on the couch, or use a small mattress, blanket and throw pillows by the window to make your hyggekrog the comfiest spot in your home.
On that note, hygge embraces and cherishes the small, simple and pleasurable things in life. So, endeavour to prioritise comfort and contentment; fill your home with the things that truly make you happy and donate the items that don't spark joy.