10 tips for creating a hygge atmosphere at home

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

Transform your home into a calm, cozy and warm place that you don't want to leave.

They started talking about hygge in Russia last fall, when Mike Viking's book “Hygge. The Secret of Danish Happiness”. For comparison: until October 2016, Google returned 35.5 thousand results for the “hygge” query, and from October 2016 to December 2017 - as many as 43.3 thousand. All over the world, apartments in the hygge style began to appear, clothes in the hygge style are sold, there are articles about hygge cosmetics. The hygge trend is sweeping the world.

There is no unambiguous translation of this word into Russian. In the book Viking (an ideal surname to write about Danish happiness) lists translation options that will help create an idea of hygge: a feeling of coziness, attention, mood, comfort, hug, well-being, and others.

But in fact, hygge is an absolutely simple and understandable thing that everyone felt, especially in childhood. It is a feeling of serenity, security, simple happiness.

There are many tips in the book and on the Internet on how to comprehend hygge, but not all of them are feasible in a metropolis, especially during the cold season. We understand that it is not so easy to find a fireplace or light a fire in the city. At the same time, hygge can help restore strength and, most likely, make you happier, at least for a while.

Below are 10 simple tips to create a hygge atmosphere in your home that you can apply right now.

1. Use candles and several different light sources

During the day, we are haunted by bright uniform lighting: in offices, shops, cafes. For a feeling of comfort, in addition to light, shadows are also needed. In order for the shadows to appear, you need several sources that will create islands of light. Soft lighting creates a pleasant and relaxing atmosphere.

Place the lamps on the table and on the floor. Better if they are with lampshades and shades of frosted glass. The lower the power of the light bulb, the warmer its light, therefore it is better to buy simple incandescent lamps with a power of no more than 150 watts.

Another option to get a dim light is to light a garland. And of course, candles are a symbol of romance, which is easy to arrange for yourself every evening.

2. Build a hygge corner

A few small pillows and a blanket are enough for this. Remember how in childhood this could have turned into a house or even a whole fortress? We sat in our building feeling completely protected from the outside world. Ideally, you can arrange such a corner on the windowsill and watch the street and the lights of the house opposite, but you can choose a place on the floor or on the couch, as long as you feel comfortable.

3. Disable gadgets

Give yourself a digital detox. You will definitely check the messages, feed and news, but later. Rest your eyes, brain and soul. By the way, according to a study, 80% of people breathe less often when they look at their phone or computer. And the lack of oxygen, as you know, increases the level of stress, which we already have enough. According to various sources, we check smartphones 150-200 times a day. So let's take time for ourselves, not for the device.

4. Wrap yourself in a blanket and put on knitted socks

Convenience and coziness are what you need after a hard day. Put on your favorite pants, in which you will never go out, and enjoy the freedom.

5. Sweets and hot drinks

Everything is clear here. Chocolate, pastries, cakes, sweets, coffee, tea, cocoa … What could be simpler and more beautiful? Among the most hygge sweets are usually called cinnamon rolls, potato cake, chocolate cake.

6. Print old photos

Remember photo albums? My favorites are the ones where you could make captions for each, such an analogue of modern Instagram. Now our photos are scattered across social networks. Dedicate an evening to collect them and print, make an album or commemorative wall.

7. Write a letter to someone or to yourself about the happiest moments

When we write, we become more aware of what happened and once again experience moments of happiness. Write a letter to a loved one or yourself in the future.

8. Call your friends and cook dinner together

Cover the table together with a tablecloth, candles, beautiful napkins, flowers, beautiful dishes. It would seem such a simple action, but what can bring you closer together than a common meal? And here is the Russian version of the hygge: stick homemade dumplings or dumplings with friends or relatives.

9. Buy something from antiques

Get a figurine, lamp, chair, or give a second life to an old object. How nice it is to find something of your own in the huge number of faceless goods that are offered to us in the mass market. Moreover, there are now a lot of decent vintage stores, where they bring selected goods from Europe.

Things with a history are nostalgia, emotions and other value in the eyes of their owner. It is not necessary to throw the item away if it is out of date. For example, in our coffee shop there is an old armchair, which we have sheathed with new fabric, it fits perfectly into the interior and is now always occupied by our visitors.

10. Get to know your neighbors and make a book exchange in the hallway

Seriously, it's best to know who lives behind the wall. Believe me, these people have similar experiences, fears and joys. And even after meeting the neighbors, even their noise is no longer so annoying.