According to Wikipedia, Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is a Danish and Norwegian word for “a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment.” It’s a concept to embrace this winter, no matter where you live. This year has been challenging for all of us, so creating ways to feel content should be a top priority. Here are some tips for finding comfort in your home, as well as your workspace. Find some ideas that you can incorporate today, and then share some with your clients to help them indulge in all things cozy!
How To Hygge Your Home
To hygge your home, think texture, warmth, scent, sound… use all your senses! Here are a few ways using items you already own or can purchase inexpensively.
- Try adding a faux sheepskin rug draped over the sofa or a chair. (I love this one from Amazon.)
- Find the softest blankets, and be sure they are large enough to cover your entire body. (Here’s a fabulous one on Amazon.)
- Add candles or soft lighting. (Here’s my go-to candle.)
- Scent the air with essential oil spray or the smell of something yummy in the oven.
- Play music that calms, invigorates, or brings back happy memories. (I’ve recently added Spotify to my life, and it brings so much joy!)
Hygge can also be in your daily experiences and routines, from the ritual of steeping a cup of tea to baking cookies with your kids.
- Try a new soup recipe and let the scent waft through the house.
- It’s totally okay to binge-watch Netflix during times like these. (I just finished binging Working Moms. Seriously funny, but for adults only.)
- Bring out some board games for a fun night with the family. (We love the game Catch Phrase!)
- Get outside and find some sunshine. If you live in colder climates, dress warmly and go ice skating, sledding, skiing, or snowshoeing.
- What you wear can be part of hygge as well. Think cozy and warm with soft socks, chunky knit sweaters, soft leggings. Anything goes, so long as you feel comfy and cozy. (See my favorite socks here, which are even better than the expensive ones from the “Nordic Socks” company.)
- Those in warmer climates have no excuse not to go for a daily walk at a park, the beach, or simply around the neighborhood.
How To Hygge Your Work Space
Transfer the above tips to your work area. Delight all five senses to create the perfect hygge home office.
- Instead of harsh overhead lighting, turn on a desk lamp for a more relaxing vibe. Choose lightbulbs that give a softer glow. Light a candle (real or battery-operated) to soothe the space.
- Add some greenery in the form of a small bouquet, a plant, pretty pebbles, a tiny cactus, or some evergreen stems in a simple vase. Incorporate little bits of nature by adding outside elements. Shells, pinecones, and driftwood all help bring nature indoors.
- Toss a chunky throw blanket over the back of your desk chair and wrap yourself in warmth when you feel a chill.
- You might incorporate a little holiday cheer in your workspace as well. Decorate a small tree, cut out paper snowflakes for the windows, or add some evergreen branches to make your room smell like the holidays.
- Try upping your office supply game… indulge in a luxury pen, buy some pretty boxes to hold supplies, or grab some new notebooks that make you actually want to work.
Personal connection is also part of hygge. Since in-person visits are more difficult these days, schedule time to connect virtually with co-workers or clients. A phone call, email, or Zoom meeting will suffice until we can be together again. Don’t forget the positive vibes that a funny or sweet greeting card can provide. (I really love these for a bit of sass and humor.)
Are you ready to get your hygge on? I’d love to hear how you make your home and office space cozier with your own Hygge Tips for Home and Office. Drop me an email here to share your tips!