Cosy Up This Winter: The Art of Hygge

Whether we like it or not, winter always comes around eventually. So, rather than resist the colder, darker days, we think it’s better to embrace the season and make it your mission to get as cosy as possible.

That’s where Hygge comes in. Not only are we experts in draft-busting, insulating window dressings for your home, but we also know a thing or two about this quintessentially Danish art form. By art form, we mean the art of living well, come rain or shine. And let’s face it, wintertime usually entails its fair share of rain… snow…and ice. Brrrr.

So, what exactly is Hygge? How can we bring the spirit of Hygge into our homes this winter? And…er…how do we pronounce it? Well, that’s what we’re here to cover today. So brew a cuppa, sit back and enjoy our top tips for boosting the cosy factor in your home.

What is hygge and where does it come from?

The word hygge – pronounced ‘hyoo-gah’ – is actually Norwegian in origin, and translates loosely as something akin to ‘well-being’. Hygge as we know it today, however, may originate from the word ‘hug’, as derived from the 1560’s hugge which means ‘to embrace’. Hygge is likely derived from the Old Norse hygga, which means ‘to comfort’, which in turn comes from the word hugr, meaning ‘mood’.

As you can see, the history of hygge is complex. But ‘mood’, ‘comfort’, ‘hug’ and ‘well-being’ are certainly all apt words to describe elements of what hygge is today.

Explaining exactly what hygge is, well, that’s a tricky one. This is because it is more of an atmosphere and an experience rather than a thing. It has been dubbed everything from ‘the art of creating intimacy’ and ‘cosiness of the soul’ to ‘taking pleasure from the presence of soothing things’ and ‘cosy togetherness’. In short, hygge can be defined as a feeling of home. Of being safe, warm, comfortable, relaxed and at ease.

In recent years, hygge has ventured beyond the bounds of Denmark and has captured the fascination and imagination of many across the globe. Unsurprisingly, in a country as cold and damp as the UK, the notion of hygge has really taken hold. So, how exactly do you bring hygge into your home?

Let there be light

No recipe for hygge is complete without careful consideration of lighting. And not just any lighting, but warm, inviting and ambient lighting. That’s right, it’s time to ditch the main light and turn your attention to lamps, twinkling fairy lights and, of course, candles.

Unsurprisingly, candles play a huge role in the hygge effect of cosy, warmly-lit rooms. When Danes are asked what they relate most closely to hygge, a whopping 85% will mention candles, according to Meik Wiking in his hugely popular ‘The Little Book of Hygge’.

There really is no speedier way to welcome hygge into your home than by lighting a few candles. In fact, the Danes have such an emotional love affair with candles that they burn more candle wax per year than any other European country, even referring to them as levende lys, meaning ‘living lights’.

So, do like the Danes and crowd your shelves, tables and mantelpieces with glowing candles. They’re sure to create a warm, welcoming ambience in your home.

Keep the warmth in

Embracing hygge means striving to create as much warmth within your home as possible. This will allow you to enjoy the romanticism of colder, darker days comfortably, as you are nice and snug indoors.

Fireplaces, stoves and candles are all quintessentially hygge, bringing not only the atmosphere but warmth into your home. Blankets, quilts, quality knitwear and fluffy socks are also stalwart hygge components, and ought to be readily available in ample quantities at any given moment if you really want to do hygge right.

When the weather really turns, however, sometimes you need to look at the core basics of how you are keeping your home warm. Often overlooked here is the role that quality insulating window dressings play in keeping out the cold.

It may sound too good to be true, but installing the right blinds or shutters can drastically reduce the amount of heat your home loses during cold months. Warmer rooms and well-dressed windows will certainly help you boost the hygge factor of those long, winter days spent at home. Plus, tapping into the heat-trapping benefits of your window dressings will also help you cut your energy costs, too, which you can read more about here.

Here at Angel Blinds & Shutters, we specialise in helping you to find the right window dressing so that you can keep your home toasty warm during the wintertime.

It’s the little things that count

At its heart, hygge is all about simplicity. It’s about creating more room in your life for what nourishes you. It’s about creating a sanctuary out of quietness, peace, togetherness and relaxation.

So, instead of complaining about the bad weather this season (as we Brits are wont to do…), seek the small pleasures out and find joy in them. Light some candles and cosy up with a pot of coffee and a comforting book. Or embrace the joys of friendship and celebrate togetherness by cooking up a pot of something hearty and warming to share with loved ones on a cosy evening indoors.

Don’t forget to go outside, too, where there are small joys to be found in abundance. After all, Hygge isn’t about shutting yourself away from the elements, so bundle up and stride out for a bracing walk before coming home to stick the kettle on. Notice the fresh quality of the winter air, hear the birds singing in the trees, and consider how quietly beautiful the Earth is, even when everything is dying back.

Feeling inspired to add a touch of hygge to your home? We can help. Simply get in touch today to discuss all of your window dressing needs.