Do You Have a Hygge Home?

I got my hygge on recently reading a New York Times article on Christmas Day, with a steaming cup of tea next to me.  Entitled “Wintering the Danish Way,” the article went in depth on the Danish concept of “hygge,” which translates loosely as “anything that makes you feel safe, happy, secure and snuggly.”

Pronounced “HOOga,” I guess you could say it’s the Danish word for cozy.  But it is so much more than that.  In fact, there are whole books written about it.  I just had to buy one and see for myself.  The book much touted is the newest guide to establishing hygge in your life called The Little Book of Hygge.  Written by Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, this little gem is truly a step by step guide to getting the most benefit out of the bleaker months – and that’s one thing we Chicagoans can really use.

After reading that book cover to cover, I could write my own book on creating the kind of home we all need to weather our weather.  But I won’t.  Instead, I’ll give some easy tips provided by Mr. Wiking, and as you think about them, you may realize you’ve already created the perfect hygge home intuitively!

 

 

The Danes insist that we should burn candles in the home — a lot of candles.  Wiking’s survey shows that 30% of Danish households have candles burning all the time.  (But you also have to open windows occasionally to air the soot out.)

I remember recently at the cabin when friends were staying over; I got up early, but not as early as my friend, Marie, who had every candle burning — in the morning.  It was absolutely magical.

 Something I probably would never have thought of until dusk.  So I’m all for candles.

Wiking then moves into the correct lighting for creating the H-mood (I just made this up, but I like it).  Design Within Reach will enjoy this reference.  Their very Scandinavian/modern lighting is the perfect addition, over the dining table or the coffee table, or standing next to your favorite comfy chair.

(I splurged on their Grasshopper Lamp  for next to my sofa.)

 

 

Overhead lighting is NEVER mood lighting.  That’s from my rule book, too.

Once the right mood is established in your home, then Wiking expounds on the most important ingredient — friends to share the mood with.  As one writer put it, “Get hygge’d by settling down, wrapped in a blanket, drinking a cup of coffee (or whatever your preference) and watching a Danish police procedural about a serial killer with your friends.”  Maybe Homeland would work for America?

Wiking also talks about the right foods — cake is big on his list, as are Danish.  And anything baked at home.  As he did his research, he thought food and candles would be at the top of every Dane’s preferred list.  But it turned out to be coffee.  “Kaffehygge,” another compound word, is used everywhere.  “Come to kaffehygge,” — and cake, or knitting, or working out. He says there is a website dedicated to kaffehygge that states, “Live life today like there is no coffee tomorrow.”  I can subscribe to that!

There’s even a guide in the book on how to dress like a Dane.  Seems like the look is already popular, because the author suggests scarves, wearing all black, bulky tops (but nothing sloppy), layers and woolen socks.  I would guess most Chicagoans look something like this almost all winter.  There’s also a mention of having a worn pair of baggy pants waiting to slip into that you would never wear in public but serve as the perfect complement to you hygge evening.

My favorite word to come from Wiking’s book, since decorating is my passion, is “hyggekrog,” or “a nook.”  This is the place where you have all your favorite things, such as snuggly blankets, books, a footstool, a favorite view

…The author says his spot is by the kitchen window.  “I’ve put some cushions, a blanket, and a reindeer hide there, and I also sit there to work in the evenings.  In fact, many of these pages were written there.”  I can just picture this setting…

Wiking offers a simple hygge wishlist with “Ten Things that Will Make Your Home More Hygellig”:  1.  A hyggekrog (cozy nook) 2.  A fireplace  3.  Candles  4.  Things made out of wood  5.  Nature  6.  Books  7.  Ceramics  8.  Think tactile  9.  Vintage  10.  Blankets and cushions.

The book goes on to discuss hygge outside the home, and during office hours, and finally, how to create hygge year-round (which to me, seems more of a challenge).

This morning I opened the Tribune to yet another article on the latest lifestyle trend –“Hygge at Home.”  Suddenly this concept seems to be appearing everywhere!  So there you have it.  It’s obvious that hygge has permeated cultures the world over, and may go by many names — in Canada, hominess; in Germany  gemutlichkeit; in Norway, Koselig, and in The Netherlands, gezelligheid.  In our country, we have to go with cozy, I guess, because English isn’t big on concept words.  But more than a word, truly an all-encompassing feeling, “(hygge) is about gratitude and savoring the simple pleasures in life.  In short, it is the pursuit of everyday happiness.”

Happy hygge-ing.