Hygge

As we approach winter, there’s nothing quite like snuggling up in a cosy and inviting space, layering the fluffy blankets and sitting by the fire. Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a Danish concept that encapsulates the feeling of cosiness, contentment and well-being. And it can easily be achieved in your home. 

“The true essence of hygge is the pursuit of everyday happiness. It’s basically like a hug, just without the physical touch,” says Meik Wiking, author of The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets To Happy Living and CEO of the Happiness Research Institute. 

In its simplest form, hygge is the pursuit of well-being and comfort. This comes about most importantly during winter when you spend more time indoors at home.

We’ve put together some tips and tricks to help you achieve the hygge aesthetic and feeling. Although in its true essence hygge is a feeling and cannot be bought, there are ways to bring it to life in the comfort of your home. 

Bathe in Light: 

One of the easiest ways to practice hygge living is by bathing in natural light. During winter, natural light can be harder to come by because daylight hours are shorter. Alternatives may include sun lamps or candles to create a peaceful and calming environment.

To bathe in sunlight, find the place in your home with the most light, and place a comfy chair or cushion there. To enhance the natural light in your home, move large pieces of furniture away from the windows so they don’t block out any of that precious light. Open the blinds and even place mirrors opposite the windows to reflect the light into the room.

Embrace Soft Textiles:

Cosy blankets, soft cushions and plush rugs are perfect for adding warmth and texture to your home. Curling up in a comfortable blanket will make you feel you’ve entered a cocoon. Wool, fur and cashmere are the best fabrics to emulate a warm hug, and they are great options for creating a hygge feeling. 

Bring the Outside Indoors:

Bringing the outdoors inside fills the air with fresh scents and creates a welcoming environment. We crave the outdoors as humans, but at this time of year not even the best winter coat will always keep us warm. Try to find pine cones, textured wooden branches, ivy, and even leaves to bring inside. 

With these tokens of the outside world, you can make your home feel like a small indoor oasis. Adding indoor plants is also a great touch to create the hygge feeling indoors. 

Use Warm Colours and Textures:

Incorporate warm and muted colors such as beige, grey, and earthy tones into your interior design scheme. These colours evoke a sense of comfort and relaxation and are perfect for creating a hygge feeling.

When it’s cold inside, we seek out beautiful, warm textures. Surfaces such as wood, rattan, pottery, white porcelain and anything made of natural materials help strengthen that connection to the outside world. Make the effort to include these textures in your interior space. 

Create 'Cosy Corners':

It’s important to have spaces in your home that are cosy and can be used for nesting. Designate a corner in your home for reading, knitting, or simply relaxing. Add a comfortable armchair, soft lighting, and a small table for a hot drink.

The simpler the better for these cosy corners. You could even display personal mementos such as family photos, heirlooms, or sentimental objects to evoke that feeling of nostalgia and contentment for a real hygge atmosphere. 

Houtlander and Hygge

Hygge is the idea of creating a cosy, warm atmosphere and enjoying the simple pleasures of life. It’s about creating a sense of comfort, contentment and relaxation. We strive to infuse this concept into our furniture design by using noble materials, natural textures and classic silhouettes that exude warmth and cosiness.

Each piece is crafted with care, using traditional woodworking techniques that have been passed down through generations. We aim to work with nature, rather than against it, and we’re committed to sustainable sourcing and environmentally conscious practices. Our materials are simple, elegant and long-lasting, and the American white oak at the heart of what we do is a sustainable and durable choice.

Our furniture is designed to be functional and aesthetically pleasing, with attention to detail and consideration of how each place will be used in a home or commercial space. From the gentle curves of our seating to the smooth sliding doors of our tambour cupboards, each piece is created with the user’s comfort and enjoyment in mind. 

In essence, Houtlander embodies ‘hygge’ in all aspects of design and ethos. We seek to create furniture that is not only beautiful and functional but also imbued with a sense of warmth, comfort, and relaxation. We invite users to slow down, savour the moment, and enjoy the simple pleasures of life.