I have been asked to do a presentation about hygge and how we incorporate it into our designs - EEK! I will be speaking in December and February! I'll share the details of the 2 presentations when the dates gets closer but wanted to introduce the concept to those who are not familiar with the term and also share some great examples of how you can start incorporating hygge elements it into your home for fall.
First...what is Hygge you ask?
By definition Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is a Danish and Norwegian term which can be described as a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).
Explaining exactly what hygge is can be tricky because it is about an atmosphere, and an experience, not about things. Hygge cannot be achieved through material things and simplicity is at the heart of hygge. That being said, elements around us aid in achieving hyggelit environments but it's about enjoying what's around you at that moment in time.
Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and author of The Little Book of Hygge states, "Hygge is a sense of comfort, togetherness, and well-being. It is about being with the people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe."
The principles of hygge:
Atmosphere
Presence
Equality
Gratitude
Harmony
Comfort
Truce
Togetherness
Shelter
We all have our own definitions of comfort, togetherness and well-being - whether it be a cup of hot coffee on a brisk fall morning, being wrapped in a warm blanket by the fire, or an evening walk with a friend (or all of these and more) - enjoying these moments to the core, creates a hyggelit environment. Combine the principles of hygge plus elements within a space, such as candles, and you create a hyggelit environment.
Our goal then as designers is to create the environments that support these principles. So at the core of our designs are the principles of hygge. This is why it's very important for us to ask questions of the client regarding who they are, how they live their lives and what their interests are. These are the driving forces behind our designs.
In Minnesota we get to enjoy all 4 seasons. When one season passes I'm sad to say goodbye but start to look forward to what's ahead in the coming season. As fall is approaching, I'm reminded of all of the things I love about fall.
The change of colors
The sound of fallen leaves crackling under foot
Brisk mornings
Beautiful days
Those surprisingly warm days just when you think summer has past
Halloween
Football
Bonfires
Boots
Sweaters
Blankets
Thanksgiving
Family
Apple picking
Apple Crisp
Pumpkins
Mulled Cider
Hayrides
Although we all have different ideas about what constituents comfort, togetherness and we'll-being, adding items like these into your home for fall can help create a hyggeligt environment and transcend you into fall. So light a fire, relax and read on!
What is your ideal place of comfort and what elements around you help make it so?
Family and Living Space
With the cooler fall air moving in, blankets are essential items in the home. This is a perfect decor piece to add to a hyggeligt environment - place it on the sofa or in a basket by the fire.
Project: Staging
Get the Look for Fall
Plaid Wool Throw from Carver Junk Company - This is the perfect throw blanket for fall! I LOVE the neutral plaid - huge for this fall and perfect with any decor.
You can't have a hyggeligt environment without candles. Danes associate candles to hygge. Most of the time they will use unscented candles which are great for the ambiance if you don't care for scents. It's also very important to use unscented candles at the dinner table as scented candles will impede with the taste of food - blah! I love to use scented candles in living spaces however and we place candles in all of the rooms we design!
Project: EH Design - Osseo Main Living Space
Get the Look for Fall
Mulled Cider Scented Candle from Carver Junk Company - The scent of this candle is UNREAL! It will instantly transcend you into fall
I highly recommend having more than one blanket in the living space of your home, especially in the colder months! You want to be able to provide guests with the option to warm up as well. So a great place to store these extra blankets is a basket. You can place this anywhere in the room. I love these by a fireplace, near the sofa or to fill a bare corner!
Project: EH Design - Osseo Main Living Space
Get the Look for Fall
Curved Basket from West Elm - This is a nice large basket so it will fill up a nice corner!
Rugs can help transition your space from summer to fall instantly. Choose a rug that has more texture and feels cozy under foot for a more inviting hygge setting. If you would prefer not to switch out a large area rug in your space, try layering your rugs! We love this look!
Project: EH Design - Charcoal and Gold
Get the Look for Fall
Sweater Rug from West Elm - This rug feels so amazing under foot and is the perfect candidate for layering!
Kitchen and Dining Room
Hygge is all about enjoying time spent with friends and family. What better way to do that than to have them over for dinner or a cup of coffee. Add white dishes to your must have list. They are so versatile and you can build on them for each season. For example, for thanksgiving, add a decorative side plate and the entire tablescape changes without having to cost a fortune.
Project: Owner, Designer, Erin Haugerud Home
Get the Look for Fall
Legio Nova Various Plates - These simple white dishes are timeless and so versatile
Again, hygge is about enjoying the moment and surrounding yourself with loved ones! If you're going to have them over for dinner, it's a good idea to have some flatware to eat it with 😉 Investing in a nice set is a good idea so that you can have it for years to come!
Project: Staging
Get the Look for Fall
West Elm Gold Flatware - This brass set is to die for! What a fun way to add interest to a table, especially in the fall
There is no such thing as too many tea towels. Another important element in hygge is letting yourself indulge in great food, in moderation of course. Many times we associate great moments in time with food, whether consumed or simply the smell. How many times have you smelt something cooking and it instantly takes you back to that moment in time? That is hygge! Use tea towels to cover the dough while it rises or to wipe your kiddos hands after lunch. We love the size and weight of tea towels and you can get them in so many patterns.
Project: Staging
Get the Look for Fall
Handwritten Recipe Tea Towel/Flour Sack - This tea towel is amazing for so many reasons. You can put your favorite recipe on a tea towel to keep and pass down. The best part is that you can transfer the recipe in the handwriting it was originally written in. I cherish things that are handwritten from my Nanny and this would be just absolutely perfect! This is hygge!
This just scratches the surface of hygge! I hope I was able to introduce a few people to hygge and I look forward to sharing more with you! There are so many amazing books out there about hygge - I love The Book of Hygge: The Danish Art of Contentment, Comfort, and Connection