How to Hygge
In recent years, the Danes have established themselves as lovers of calm and simple living, and in turn, consistently top the polls as the happiest people on earth. One thing consistently practiced in Denmark, which could be a contributing factor to their more relaxed pace of life, is hygge.
Pronounced ‘hoo-ga’ or ‘hue-gah’, this term is the latest wellness trend to land in the UK. Frequently described as ‘cosiness’ or ‘togetherness’, in English the term has no literal translation. By many, it’s defined as a feeling or mood rather than a specific word, therefore the concept can be interpreted as a state of mind.
Confused? Don’t be.
Basically, in the simplest of terms, hygge is the act of taking pleasure in making ordinary, everyday moments more meaningful, beautiful or special. To help you keep calm, carry on and do as the Danes do, we’ve rounded up the ultimate checklist on how to hygge in the home.
Candles
Candles are possibly the most important element of hygge the Danish burn more candles per head than anywhere else in Europe, with a third of Danes admitting they like to light candles every day. Whether it’s in the morning over breakfast or at dusk with dinner, candles provide a warmth and aura that will help to instil calm from within.
Textures
When thinking of ways to make your home more warm and cosy, the mind instantly goes to soft textures such as faux fur throws, chunky knit cushions and fluffy woollen rugs – all very hygge!
Textured accessories are set to be a huge trend in 2017, with the layering of different tactile surfaces to create a styled look at the forefront. Take a look at your home and think how you can incorporate different textures. With a focus on soft and warm fabrics, you’ll have a hygge haven in no time.
Embrace lamps
Harsh lighting is very detrimental to the hygge ambiance instead of constantly having the main light switched on, choose two or three smaller lamps placed around the room to create low-level lighting that feels warm and inviting.
Hygge is also reading a good book so when sitting on your sofa surrounded by soft pillows, make sure you have a good reading lamp too.
Bring nature inside
To really give your home a bit of hygge flavour, adapt your decor to be a little more in tune with nature. The key points are incorporating wood furniture into your home and bringing nature into your living space. Whether it’s using plants, pebbles and stones or twig lights, little touches like these will help create the perfect hygge ambiance.
Less is more
These words are absolutely key when creating hygge. If you have a small living room, use small nesting tables instead of a huge coffee table. Try not to overload on large pieces and instead accessorise with different fabrics and textures - this makes it easy for you to create a cosy atmosphere without losing all of your space.
So if this has inspired you, why not start the New Year off with a bang by planning a move into your dream property with Miller Homes and create your own hygge haven. All properties have been designed to the highest specification with family living in mind. To find out more about a development in your area. Visit www.millerhomes.co.uk.