Bring Hygge to Your Home
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Danish tradition of “hygge”—typically associated with wintertime. While here in the greater Phoenix area, we don’t have the same kind of winter as those in northern climates do, many of us could still use the ideals set by hygge, so here at Altra Home Décor, we thought we’d give you a few ideas for bringing the tradition into your home—for now and even into the summer.
What’s Hygge Anyway?
The word hygge (pronounced “hyoo-guh”) comes from the same base as our English word “hug.” (You can even hear it a little in its pronunciation, even if the spelling seems odd.) With this practice, people feel encouraged to slow their pace, feel connected to the world and those around them, and add daily practices that feel like a “hug.” According to Tova Brandt, curator of Danish American culture at the Museum of Danish America in Elk Horn, Iowa, hygge helps people “find a healthier work-life balance, to be more in the moment, to build interpersonal relationships, and to turn off digital distractions.” The idea of hygge began as a lifestyle movement, but has evolved to encompass a home’s ambience and décor. Below are some tips for how you can bring the sense of hygge to your home.
How Do You Practice Hygge?
Think of the things that will bring you and anyone in your home comfort. For example, wearing comfortable clothes. It’s hard to relax if you’re in uncompromising jeans. Put on what’s comfortable, and encourage your guests to do the same. When you entertain, keep it simple. Don’t worry about serving a huge platter of food—go with the minimum and focus on being together. Play board games that encourage interaction and nostalgia.
Add Warmth to a Room
You don’t need a roaring fire to bring warmth to a room—candles can do the trick! Their soft glow is calming and restorative. Also bring in comfy textures such as soft knits and sherpa fabrics as accessories. Finally, bring nature indoors—aspen or birch logs make great decorative elements, as can wreaths made of pine boughs or dried stems.
Create a Cozy Nook
When you want to slow down as an individual, you might want to have a space directly set aside to create a sense of coziness. You could set up a plush armchair in a corner with a good reading lamp and a side table to rest a nice cup of cocoa on. Or put your bay window to work, adding comfy pillows and the right window fashions to feel ensconced. For example, consider Provenance® Woven Wood Shades give a sense of the great outdoors while creating an effect of melding the windows together. You can also add external drapery that can make the bay window nook feel like its own room. No matter the style, always go for what feels the most comfortable. That’s where you’ll achieve hygge. For ideas, be sure to speak with an Altra Home Décor specialist today!
Bringing Hygge to Your Home in the Greater Phoenix, Peoria AZ Areas
Altra Home Decor is your source for window treatments, custom drapery, flooring, and more! We serve the greater Phoenix area, including Peoria, Sun City West, Glendale, and Scottsdale, with a showroom in Surprise. Stop by our locally owned store to view our full-size window treatment displays and sample books. Contact us today to schedule an in-home design consultation!
