Move Over, Ikea: Hygge Style is What We’ve Really Been Missing—Fixer Upper Friday

Over the past several years, Scandinavian style has dominated interior design trends. In may ways, it’s been our answer to our overly cluttered, chaotic lifestyles and we’ve embraced it’s simplicity and function. Every home seems to have some space-saving, Ikea solution in one room or another, and we’ve totally fallen in love with the idea of paring down and organizing the things we have.

The root of this ‘less is more’ design motif is that we all just want a serene space that allows us to truly relax when we get home at the end of a long day. We want a space that is perfect for entertaining family and friends. We want a space that functions to make our daily routines easier and joyous. We want a space that’s cozy and inviting… and in the back of our minds we know that no piece of furniture on its own can create that kind of space. That space we all desire requires action. This, in a nutshell, is the Danish concept of Hygge (hoo-ga).

Hygge encapsulates the idea of mindfulness, kinship, familiarity, comfort, charm, and simplicity. It’s about creating an atmosphere of intimacy in our daily lives and in our homes. More than just a design trend, Hygge goes a step further by celebrating life’s mundane moments and fostering a general sense of mental wellness. Whether it’s lighting a candle with every meal, or taking the time to brew a cup of loose tea, Hygge describes the feeling of genuinely taking pleasure in all of life’s simple moments. Isn’t that what we all need a little more of?

Here are some simple ways to make Hygge a part of your life:

• play board games with friends and family
• host a brunch or a themed family dinner
• light candles
• take a relaxing bath
• snuggle up in a chunky blanket
• have your morning coffee outside (or next to a window to take in the scenery)
• bring the outside in (houseplants, y’all)
• Be grateful (keep a ‘grateful journal‘ to remind yourself of all the positive things happening in your life)

For more information on Hygge, Check out this amazing book available through Amazon. It’s a total game changer!