Hygge (pronounced ‘hoo-gah’) is a Danish cultural phenomenon that has gained international recognition in recent years for its unique approach to creating a sense of warmth, comfort, and well-being. Any Dane will tell you that it can’t really be translated, but essentially hygge is about a sense of cosiness, contentment and togetherness. It’s a mood – but it can also be an aesthetic.
Let’s delve into hygge from the perspective of a Dane.
Deeply embedded in Danish culture, the idea of hygge has historical roots that can be traced back to the nineteenth century. You could say that with its long, cold winters and limited daylight hours, Denmark made the best of a bad situation and developed hygge as a coping mechanism, helping them to create moments of joy and connection during the darker months. The term itself likely derives from the Norwegian word ‘hugga’, meaning ‘to comfort’ or ‘to console’.
For a Dane, hygge is not just a concept but a way of life
The home takes centre stage in the idea of hygge: its role as a sanctuary makes it ideal for creating a cosy atmosphere. Danes take pride in their interior design, but in fact ‘hygge’ can sometimes quite happily clash with accepted ‘good taste’: dark, cluttered, old-fashioned interiors will often be instantly described as ‘hyggelig’ – perhaps because of the cave-like qualities. A sense of shelter is certainly a must.
It’s still perfectly possible to create ‘hygge’ in what most people probably think of as a typically Danish interior – all white walls, mid-century style furniture and an overall minimalist feel. Again, it’s about creating a sense of warmth: picking furniture in warm colours and natural materials (Danes still use a lot of natural wood in their homes), soft cushions and throws, soft lighting with dimmer switches – and more candles. Foreign visitors to Denmark are always amazed at the amount of candles we go through, mostly the original, unscented variety. Battery-operated alternatives have become accepted in recent years, but many Danes still consider them not quite right …
Foreign visitors to Denmark are always amazed at the amount of candles we go through, mostly the original, unscented variety. Battery-operated alternatives have become accepted in recent years, but many Danes still consider them not quite right …
Hygge is about comfort. Connection. Cosiness. And, of course, candles.
It’s essentially about taking pleasure in the little things in life – and being aware of that pleasure
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