Creating the Perfect Winter Sanctuary with the Danish Concept of Hygge

How do you stay happy in a country which is cold, dull and wet 70% of the time? Denmark has the answer, often voted as the happiest country in the world could their concept of Hygge be the answer?

In essence, Hygge is creating a nice, warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with people around you. It involves appreciating the small things in life, you know that feeling you get curled up by a roaring fire, with thick socks on, your favourite pyjamas, a warm blanket, a good book and a nice cup of tea – you get the idea, its taking great pleasures in the simple things.

When it comes to the home Hygge is an important concept, a way in which to create a comfortable and relaxing environment for the whole family. The art of incorporating Hygge into your interiors is to keep it simple and invest, after all your home is your sanctuary so why not spend that bit extra.

Home interior specialists Baytree Interiors have been helping people personalise their own homes for many years and give us their tips on creating the perfect winter sanctuary with the Danish concept of Hygge.

Hygge largely comprises of using natural materials and textures to add dimension to your rooms; rustic materials such as wood and leather work well, especially when combined with more cosy textures such as cable knits, faux fur and fluffy rugs.

Any open spaces benefit from being dividing up, creating a range of areas for you to sink in to at any given moment. Make sure you have lots of soft furnishings such as fluffy pillows and throws which people can use to make themselves comfortable.

Keep the colour scheme simple and neutral, using colours such as brown, gray and cream will give a sense of nature being inside. The art of Hygge doesn’t necessarily have a certain look or design philosophy, it’s more about the feeling and atmosphere that a room gives you. Think about the times you have felt at your happiest and then recreate that vibe throughout your home.  

Lighting is a critical element in any Hygge home and it’s the easiest way to create a warm and cosy atmosphere. Lamps and candles create soothing pools of light around the home, but be careful not to use too many lights or bright light bulbs as that can counteract the Hygge feel and detract from the cozy atmosphere you are trying to create. The Danes are said to light more candles than any other country in Europe, so the perfect lighting set up is a must!

The art of Hygge isn’t just about creating a comfortable home, but being content in life. Spending time with family and friends is very important and creating a comfortable environment to entertain in is key.

Homemade wholesome meals are a must in the winter months and are even better when shared with family and friends, so invest in some casserole dishes and decent pans, invite your friends over and get cooking.

Taking up a new hobby is also a good way of unwinding at the end of the day. Put the fire on and relax with a good book or listen to some soothing music, the key is to create a relaxing environment in the home. Crafting hobbies such as knitting and sewing have been gaining popularity over the last few years, and the best thing is you can get the whole family involved and use your finished creations in the home.

As you can see Hygge is all about the little things in life, overall it is a feeling that you will understand from whatever has previously made you feel warm and cosy. It’s all about investing effort in to what you already have.