The word “hygge” originally comes from Norwegian and means something like “well-being”. However, the Danish have adopted this way of life even more enthusiastically than the Norwegians. Contentment and plenty of candlelight are probably the most distinctive features of this life-affirming, relaxed atmosphere.
Essentially, it includes anything that gives pleasure: Spending time with friends and family while polishing off a delicious piece of cake. Or sitting on the sofa wrapped in a cuddly blanket – a good book in one hand and a cup of hot chocolate in the other. Living hygge is basically quite simple, especially if your home is designed accordingly.
If you want to furnish your home Scandinavian-style, there's no way around furniture with wood components. It makes no difference whether they are made completely from the natural material or only with proper feet. This furniture is typically particularly linear in design, making it a popular choice for modern-style furnishings.
As far as the colour scheme is concerned, soft pastel shades or strong muted colours are recommended. A wardrobe with wooden legs and mint green front or an armchair with pink upholstery – both fit perfectly into a hyggelig environment. Even though they're considered rather dull, grey tones are also very effective. A grey sofa with a white lacquered table is a beautiful combination for a Scandinavian interior. However, this should be combined with some colour accents to make the overall impression more vibrant. But be careful: A large variety of colours, especially bright ones, are rather untypical for a hygge-style home!
Soft home textiles can provide an excellent, refreshing splash of colour. But that's not all: They can be used to create even more added value. After all, what invites you to indulge in a hyggelig moment of relaxation on the sofa or in bed more than a thick woollen blanket and snugly pillows? Indeed, hygge also means relaxing in the here and now, and this works especially well when cuddled up in a comfortable place – especially since winters in Denmark are even darker and longer than in Germany. Carpets and animal skins help create a visual impression of warmth and cosiness in the room. Naturally, a sheepskin is better suited for Scandinavian design than a tiger skin.
One of the main rules of the increasingly popular Nordic interior design is: Candles, candles and more candles! Tea light or beeswax candle, large or small – it doesn't matter, the main thing is to have lots of them! An arrangement of candles of different sizes on a fireproof base, such as a stylish tray, looks great on a coffee table or chest of drawers. The windowsill is ideal for a collection of small lanterns, while large lanterns are best placed on the floor or a low sideboard. In addition, light chains provide for hyggelig lighting effects. Bright ceiling lights are only switched on when they're really needed. Instead, floor lamps or table lamps immerse the room in a pleasant atmosphere. The brightness can be adjusted flexibly with dimmable LED bulbs. Such a lighting concept will not only light up your room, but also your heart – promised!
In Scandinavia, domestic furnishing is dominated by clear structures. This applies not only to the furniture, but particularly to the decoration: Typical elements include puristic pyramids made of metal rods, cylindrical vases and slim or fashionably streamlined candlesticks. The general rule of thumb: Less is more! After all, living hyggelig also means focusing on the essential. If a living space is packed with decorations and other things, it quickly has a constricting effect. This is far removed from the Danish ideal of lightness. Instead of crowding the room, it's preferable to hang up a few sleek and simple pictures with a high white content. The frames should also be white or wooden. Geometric patterns or natural subjects such as plants or sketched landscapes are particularly suitable as motifs.
TIP: Spending a harmonious time with friends and family is an essential part of hygge. If everyone simply puts their smartphones aside for the moment, the experience of coming together will be even more intense.
In a hyggelig home, plants shouldn't just appear in pictures, but also in reality. The Scandinavians are very nature-oriented, which is reflected in their furnishings. As a rule, colourful flowers with full blossoms are not used, but green plants with clear structures similar to the rest of the décor. Be it in a hanging pot, a stylish vase on the chest of drawers or a larger version placed on the floor, it's entirely up to your own taste. Speaking of floors: In the ideal case, this is also a testament to the Scandinavians’ affinity to nature. Real wood floors are ideal, such as the parquet flooring Style PC 400 from MEISTER which has a very special character thanks to its pronounced cracks and signs of ageing. MEISTER parquet flooring has more classic plank variants, in the PD 200 and PC 200 collections for example. A flooring with an authentic look, such as the flexible MEISTER design floorings, makes a great alternative to real wood floors. Just like parquet flooring, it spreads a cosy warmth to the foot – truly hyggelig!
