Hygge is a Danish lifestyle that places the simple pleasures of everyday life at the center of well-being and personal satisfaction. The definition is quite vague, so everyone interprets it differently: a way of life, a style of interior décor, or moments of sharing?
What does being hygge mean?
A Danish idea
Laid back, but the Danish way. According to the World Happiness Report 2017, an annual UN report on global happiness, Denmark is the happiest country in the world, while France is only ranked 32nd. Yet, the economic and social statistics of the two countries are quite similar. So why are the Danes far ahead on the happiness scale? The answer may lie in the Danish lifestyle, summed up in one word: hygge.
An abstract concept
The challenge with hygge (pronounced "hoo-gah") is that it?s untranslatable and unique to Denmark. While the concept has spread to countries like Germany, where it?s known as gemütlichkeit, it remains largely Scandinavian. In short, it?s a feeling of well-being experienced when enjoying life?s simplest pleasures: an evening with friends, a cup of hot chocolate, or a book by the fireplace. It has many definitions and aspects. For Danes, hygge can be enjoyed alone at home or outdoors with friends, during long winter evenings or sunny summer afternoons.
Hygge is a true art of living in Scandinavia: centered on everyday pleasures and cozy atmospheres, it includes décor but above all, a particular mindset. If you?re stressed, anxious, or glued to your smartphone, you?re not hygge. Hygge is a feeling of calm, serenity, a moment of pause and detachment where you retreat into your bubble to enjoy the present.
This abstract concept of comfort and pleasure is deeply rooted in Danish language and lifestyle, right into their homes. Danish décor has thus become hygge, meaning it focuses on the essentials while bringing a sense of tranquility.
A well-established trend
In its current sense, the word hygge appeared in Denmark around the early 19th century, derived from the Danish word for ?well-being.? It has long been a way of life in the country and has spread elsewhere in Europe. In 2016, after Brexit and the resulting slump in morale, the British adopted hygge to disconnect from gloomy news and relax. According to Collins, the leading English dictionary, "hygge" was the second most important word of the year 2016 in the UK, right after "Brexit." More recently, the trend has crossed the Atlantic: now Americans are adopting candles and wool socks for cozy evenings.
Moments of sharing
Sharing time with friends, having a drink on a terrace: hygge moments can be shared. In winter, invite friends for a good chili and a good movie at home. In summer, meet at the park to play guitar and sing country songs (or maybe skip the singing, better not spoil the sunshine). You can also go for a walk in the woods, watch squirrels, lie in the garden with lemonade, or sip iced tea under an apple tree (notice the wide variety of hygge drinks).
Danish-style cocooning
Reading a book by the fireplace is already very hygge. Add hot chocolate, a blanket, and wool pajamas, and it?s bliss. Hygge can also be experienced alone, devouring a good crime novel on your plush baroque sofa or spending a warm Netflix night tucked into bed. Feeling comfortable is a sine qua non condition: in winter, wear your favorite sweatpants and grandma?s knitted socks. In summer, at the park, go for sandals and shorts (though in Denmark, the heat risk is low). Another key: no phone. You must disconnect completely, clear your mind, and enjoy the present moment without daily worries.
How to create hygge décor?
Go back to basics
Danes emphasize the importance of avoiding anything superfluous: for them, hygge is about contact with nature and rejecting the superficial. This is why Scandinavian design is so minimalist: with simple shapes and pastel colors, anything visually aggressive is avoided. Shapes are reassuring, lines are curved, and natural materials are used: marble tabletops, wooden lamps... Forget garish colors and rustic furniture: here, everything is about softness and delicacy.
Make yourself a cozy nest
Throw out your cold leather sofa and your wooden design chair. Opt for soft and cushioned! The bigger and fluffier the decorative cushion, the better. Adopt throws and poufs, bury yourself under layers of blankets. A hygge décor is one where you feel good. Make hot chocolate or tea, put on loose clothes, and sink into your Scandinavian sofa. Just be careful not to spill the drink on it...
Candles. Lots of candles.
At six kilograms per person per year, Danes are by far the world?s biggest candle consumers. Create soft, pleasant lighting and avoid harsh or direct lights: everything should be dimmed. Use candle holders and candlesticks to enhance your décor: if there?s one word Danes always associate with hygge, it?s ?candle?. If you prefer traditional lamps, go for simple shapes with lampshades. Avoid eccentric styles and bright colors: to enjoy a hygge moment, you need to focus on yourself, not on distracting surroundings.
Key takeaways
The Danes coined a word for an indescribable feeling: the well-being and contentment you feel when everything is right, when you?re well surrounded or simply at ease. Once confined to Denmark, recent events in Europe and worldwide have pushed more countries to adopt this daily happiness philosophy. Snuggling under a blanket, enjoying an afternoon reading, or spending time with friends: everyone has their own vision of the concept. And to foster a hygge atmosphere, Danes have reinvented their décor.
Choose neutral colors and simple shapes; pile up cushions and throws to feel comfortable. Light candles and disconnect: enjoy the present moment.
