Over the last few years, you’ve probably noticed the word “hygge” (pronounced “HOO-gah” or “HUE-gah”) pop up on your feeds as the defining aesthetic of wintertime nesting at home. The term has spawned countless trend pieces and (often satirical) debates on what “new” version of Scandinavian coziness will take hygge's throne. Merriam-Webster even added the word to the dictionary in January of this year.
Far from a fleeting or controversial design trend, hygge is a meaningful and integral part of life in Scandinavia, where the term originated. Signe Johansen, the Norwegian American author of the bookHow to Hygge: The Nordic Secrets to a Happy Life, dispels any notion of its frivolity: “It’s certainly not a retreat into a state of cozy hibernation — far from it. Hygge in Scandinavia is something we believe we have to earn, so we’re very outdoorsy at all times of the year, and we believe in a spirit of self-reliance too,” she says.
The hallmarks of the hygge home aesthetic floating around social media are always calming, filled with soft accents, pops of ambient light, and plenty of naturalistic design cues. “The color palette of Nordic design is very much rooted in nature, so all those muted tones and many shades of wood are archetypal colors you’ll see in the region,” she says.
But overall, the look of hygge decor is entirely up to the individual, and they're appropriate for indoor and outdoor spaces of all sizes. Think softly scented candles, plush rugs, warm layers for your couch and bed, and even beautiful-looking tabletop games and puzzles. It's all about enriching your space with the personal touches that make you feel the most at ease.
With that ethos in mind, here are 10 chic-yet-cozy hygge decor items to invite that convivial feeling into your home.
Blankets are a no-brainer when it comes to hygge decor — the chunkier the knit, the better. Their very presence is so comforting, inviting guests to truly feel at home in your space. They soften rigid silhouettes and make a room feel more lived-in.
Bearaby's Cotton Napper combines two cozy features in one product: It's a large-scale knit blanket that's also weighted for an ultra calming effect. It comes in seven different colors and four different size-and-weight combinations, ranging from 10 to 25 pounds — the biggest size is perfect for sharing!
Even everyday coffee breaks have an element of hygge to them — the Swedish concept of Fika is all about the shared enjoyment of a strong cup of coffee during the workday.
Because nothing interrupts a Fika break like having to microwave your lukewarm coffee, the Ember Smart Mug ensures that your brew will never dip below the perfect sipping temp. The mug used on its own will provide 80 minutes of precise warmth, but its included coaster functions as its charger, keeping your brew warm for much longer.
For workspaces, dinners, casual hang-outs, and even just a night alone soaking in the tub, candles are the perfect detail for any time of day. “Candles are, of course, welcome during the midwinter; we light them without ceremony or occasion. I’ll light a candle at my desk, which instantly adds a sense of calm when I’m writing,” Johansen says.
While unscented is always a safe bet if you really want to elevate the atmosphere of your hygge decor, many prefer opting for a scented candle with fresh, outdoorsy notes.
Outdoor Fellow's No. 3 Coastal Forest candle smells like the cliffside cabin of our dreams, blending pine, fir, eucalyptus, patchouli, and clove.
Whether displayed as part of a holiday village scene or simply as mantel decor all year long, this ceramic, tealight-lit trio embodies hygge decor with their joyful glow. You can even use battery-operated lights that switch on at the same time each night for total ambiance on autopilot.
While the look is flexible, hygge decor should help you stay mindful and derive small pleasures from your interiors. It's nice to take a break from the screens and opt for offline playtime to be totally in the moment.
Puzzles are one of our favorite ways to unwind, and having one always in progress can help encourage a little more togetherness. This 252-piece puzzle from Minted is just the perfect (not overwhelming) size and its design from Singapore-based artist Elly is the visual definition of a hygge day on the slopes!
6
Natural Beauty
Emerald Bay Print Minimalist Mountain Panorama Calm Lake
Hygge decor is all about connecting to nature through colors and calming motifs. When it comes to your wall art, the same idea totally applies.
There's something about this particular panoramic print from Etsy artist DANGERDUST that is so instantly soothing: The cool tones, minimalist linework, and, of course, the mountain vistas all make for a lovely landscape.
Scandinavians are quite carpet-averse — in fact, Johansen has an entire section in her book titled “Banish That Carpet.” She writes, “If it were up to me, I would rip up carpets from every home and make a bonfire to end all bonfires.” While Nordic folks may greatly favor the natural look of hardwood floors, they aren’t opposed to bringing a little softness to the ground in the form of faux sheepskins and plush, shaggy rugs.
This big softy from Ruggable has a geometric, Moroccan-inspired style and a cushy pile that feels great underfoot but doesn't shed. Even better: It comes in six different sizes, has an included pad that sticks firmly to the floor, and the soft top part of the rug can be thrown into the washing machine to clean!
There's nothing more hygge than bundling up and enjoying the great outdoors, even during the darkest and coldest months. This is why we love fire pits — specifically, the Solo Stove.
This wood-burning fire pit is built for maximum air circulation, efficiency, and heat with virtually no smoke. You can build and start the fire in just 5 minutes, so you'll be enjoying its toasty warmth far sooner than with other models. It incinerates hard logs into ash instead of leaving behind smoldering stumps.
Are you sensing a theme? Hygge decor emphasizes strategic lighting at home to chase away the doldrums that the darker days can bring.
While some LED light strands are best for holiday decorating, these battery-operated fairy lights add a magical accent to a bedroom or living room that feels welcoming and party-ready all year long.
You can create the coziest hygge decor vibe at home, but it won't mean much if you're sliding into cold, unseasonably thin sheets at the end of the day. Luckily, a set of high-quality flannel sheets can deliver buttery soft warmth to lull you into dreamland while still being breathable.
Brushed to pill-resistant perfection, these 100% cotton flannel sheets from L.L.Bean are touted by users for their soft feel and long-lasting quality. Many reviewers even attest to buying these sheets continually over the years as gifts and that they're something that helps them look forward to winter.
Melanie YatesSenior Home Decor EditorMelanie is the senior home decor editor of Best Products, where she's been researching and testing out home and bedding products since 2015 — her work can also be found on House Beautiful and Women's Health.
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