What is ‘Hygge’ and how can I add it to my home?
Discover what hygge really means and how to bring more comfort, coziness, and joy into your home with simple Scandinavian-inspired decor and traditions. Includes product ideas, and styling tips.
In a world that often feels rushed, loud, and overwhelming, the Danish concept of hygge offers something beautifully different—a lifestyle built around comfort, connection, and the small joys of everyday living.
But what exactly is hygge?
And more importantly, how can you add hygge to your home—without moving to a cabin in the Nordic woods?
If you’ve ever searched:
“What is hygge and why is it trending?”
“How do I make my home feel cozy and peaceful?”
“How do I create a Scandinavian-style home?”
You’re in the right place.
In this post, you’ll learn what hygge means, why it matters, and how to bring it into your life using simple Scandinavian-inspired decor, design tips, and handmade touches—including a few special items from our Scandinavian Hearts collection designed to help you live with more warmth and intention.
What Is Hygge?
Hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) is a Danish word that doesn’t have a direct English translation—but its meaning is deeply felt.
At its core, hygge is:
The feeling of comfort, contentment, and well-being created by enjoying the simple things in life.
It’s lighting a candle on a rainy day.
It’s sipping tea in your favorite chair.
It’s a cozy meal with loved ones, soft socks, or a heartwarming book before bed.
Hygge isn’t a trend—it’s a way of living that has been woven into Scandinavian culture for centuries. And now, people around the world are embracing it as a way to slow down and reconnect to what truly matters.
What People Are Asking: Top Questions
Let’s take a look at some of the most searched questions related to hygge—and answer them for you.
What does hygge mean?
Hygge is a Danish term that refers to the feeling of coziness, comfort, and joy that comes from simple pleasures. It’s a cultural concept that values well-being, connection, and warmth.
How do I bring hygge into my home?
You can create a hygge atmosphere by adding soft lighting (especially candles), natural materials, cozy textiles, warm drinks, meaningful rituals, and personal touches like books, handmade decor, and photos.
What are hygge essentials?
Top hygge home essentials include:
Candles and lanterns
Cozy blankets and throw pillows
Books, music, and warm drinks
Natural textures like wood, wool, and linen
Sentimental decor items
The 8 Elements of a Hygge-Inspired Home
If you’re ready to make your home a hygge haven, here are the eight essential elements to get you started.
1. 🕯️ Soft Lighting
Why it matters:
Hygge is all about atmosphere. Scandinavians rely on low, warm lighting—especially candles—to create a sense of calm and presence, especially during the long, dark winters.
How to add it:
Light candles in the evening (real or LED)
Add fairy lights to bookshelves or windows
Use lamps with warm-toned bulbs instead of overhead lights
🧡 Scandinavian Hearts Tip:
Pair your candles with a Woven Heart Ornament or Wooden Heart for a glowing, symbolic touch of love and tradition.
2. Cozy Textiles & Layers
Why it matters:
Comfort is key to hygge. Textures help you feel at ease and encourage relaxation. Think soft blankets, chunky knit pillows, and natural fabrics that invite you to curl up and unwind.
How to add it:
Keep a throw blanket on your sofa or bed
Mix in linen, wool, or cotton textures
Add seasonal layers for warmth and variety
🧺 Scandinavian Hearts Tip:
Use a Woven Heart Stuffy as both decor and a cuddly addition to your hygge space.
3. Natural Materials
Why it matters:
Hygge connects you to the natural world. Incorporating wood, stone, greenery, and earth tones grounds your space and reflects the Scandinavian love of the outdoors.
How to add it:
Use wooden trays, bowls, or picture frames
Decorate with fresh or dried greenery
Choose neutral, nature-inspired color palettes
🌿 Scandinavian Hearts Tip:
Our Dala Horse Decor and Wooden Scandinavian Hearts blend nature and tradition beautifully.
4. Books, Music, and Storytelling
Why it matters:
Slowing down is central to hygge. Books, storytelling, and quiet background music help create peaceful routines that support rest and connection.
How to add it:
Create a cozy reading corner with pillows and soft lighting
Build a seasonal bookshelf with feel-good reads
Listen to calming music or audiobooks in the background
📚 Scandinavian Hearts Tip:
Explore our Anna Children’s Book Series to pass down cultural traditions and enjoy meaningful moments with your kids.
5. Comfort Food & Warm Drinks
Why it matters:
Nothing says hygge like something warm in your hands. Think mugs of tea, cocoa, or coffee—and simple, nourishing meals enjoyed slowly.
How to add it:
Designate a favorite mug and cozy beverage ritual
Set the table with candles—even for simple meals
Bake a seasonal treat and share with friends or neighbors
🍪 Bonus Idea:
Tuck a treat or a kind note into a Paper Woven Heart Basket and share it with someone you love.
6. Meaningful Moments & Connection
Why it matters:
Hygge is never just about decor—it’s about relationships. The spaces you create are invitations to slow down and connect more deeply with others and yourself.
How to add it:
Set aside time for no-phone evenings
Light candles and play a board game
Cook or craft together as a family
🧡 Scandinavian Hearts Tip:
Make Woven Hearts or holiday ornaments together and use them to decorate with love and intention.
7. Decluttered, Peaceful Spaces
Why it matters:
Hygge doesn’t mean filling your home with “stuff.” It means being intentional. Clean, peaceful spaces allow for more presence, fewer distractions, and deeper appreciation for the items you love.
How to add it:
Keep surfaces tidy and decorate sparingly
Use baskets to store cozy items when not in use
Choose quality over quantity
🧺 Scandinavian Hearts Tip:
Our heirloom items—like the Wood Hearts—are designed to bring beauty and meaning without creating clutter.
8. Seasonal Touches
Why it matters:
Scandinavians are deeply attuned to the seasons. They decorate with the rhythms of nature—light stars in winter, floral crowns in summer, warm woods in fall.
How to add it:
Decorate with seasonal greenery (pine, eucalyptus, flowers)
Swap pillow covers or wall art to reflect the time of year
Celebrate simple seasonal traditions
Scandinavian Hearts Products That Bring Hygge Home
At Scandinavian Hearts, we believe that home should be a place of love, simplicity, and connection. Our handmade products reflect the heart of Scandinavian living—timeless, soulful, and full of intention.
Our Bestsellers for a Hygge Home:
Woven Heart Stuffy: Cozy, symbolic, and beautiful anywhere
Dala Horse Home Decor: A soft accent that blends heritage and design
Anna and the Woven Hearts Book: A story of tradition, love, and hygge for kids
Wooden Scandinavian Hearts: Simple, handcrafted warmth
🎁 Bundle our bestselling book and stuffy for a heartfelt gift or seasonal decorating tradition.
Final Thoughts: Hygge Is a Feeling
At the end of the day, hygge isn’t about the perfect decor or the coziest chair—it’s about how you feel.
It’s about living with intention.
Pausing for small joys.
Lighting a candle not because you “should,” but because it brings you peace.
Decorating with hearts and horses because they carry stories you love.
And creating spaces that support connection, care, and calm.
So pour your tea.
Turn on soft music.
Add a pillow, light a candle, and let hygge begin—right where you are.
From my Scandinavian heart to yours,
Wendy Jensen
Founder, Scandinavian Hearts
