Heard of Hygge?
Hygge, pronounced “hoo-ga,” is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfort that brings with it a feeling of contentment. February is the perfect month to bring hygge home. There’s no better way to beat the winter blues than to combat them with the tips from the experts. Denmark, famous for brutal, long winters, is also consistently rated as one of the world’s happiest countries. It’s about savoring the best of the great indoors.
Light a Fire
A recent Swedish study suggests that fireplaces and woodstoves bring with them joy and comfort – but also relieve tension. Everybody loves a campfire. It brings us more than warmth. A fire is a gathering place. Consider building a firepit outdoors. If you aren’t lucky enough to have a fireplace, there are many electric fireplace options available to bring instant coziness into any room in your home.
Surround Yourself With Art
Put those blank walls to great use with art. Not just any art, bring home artwork that you really enjoy. Order prints from an artist you admire or choose pieces from a local photographer. The idea is that your artwork should evoke joy when you look at it, not just decorative items to fill blank space. Whatever style of art you choose to enhance your walls, make sure they meet your hygge standards.
Go Crazy With Candles
We are going for cozy here, and nothing says cozy like candles. The warm, flickering glow of candlelight is hard to match. Grab scented candles and tealights and generously use them around your room, along windowsills and open shelving. You will notice a sense of calm they bring – as long as you keep them out of the reach of your kids or pets. Kids + pets + candles create the opposite of hygge.
Build a Cozy Corner
Everyone needs their own little space to read or do a crossword puzzle. Find a cozy corner, preferably near a window, fill it with a pile of pillows, and claim it as your own. Light it with a lamp if possible, and keep cozy blankets nearby.
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Hang Sheers
Don’t block out what little light the winter has to offer with heavy curtains. Opt instead for sheer, translucent, or lacey curtains to take the winter sun and turn it into a beautiful, soft light to fill your home office, living space, or kitchen.
Bring on the Green
Spending 2020 indoors has us revisiting a trend from the ‘70s – indoor house plants. Just like a fireplace, plants are all about bringing nature indoors where we can enjoy the comfort it brings us. Visit a local nursery and let the experts give you advice on the best plants to grow indoors. Don’t be shy. The more the merrier.
Snuggle Up With a Rug
Rugs can work wonders to help turn a room from “meh” to amazing! A colorful, cozy area rug can pull a room together and give your feet a treat when they hit the floor. There are some super fuzzy rug options in floor coverings these days. Choose a rug that will bring you as much comfort to look at as it does to stretch out on.