The Ultimate Guide to Hygge
In a world that often moves too quickly, the Danish art of hygge (pronounced “hoo-gah”) offers a gentle reminder to pause, breathe, and savour life’s exquisite moments More than mere cosiness, hygge embodies the essence of contentment: a state of being where warmth, authenticity, and genuine connection flourish.
Why Hygge Matters in Modern Living
In our increasingly digital age, hygge presents a timeless antidote to modern living’s complexities. This centuries-old Danish practice, dating back to the 1800s, continues to resonate deeply with those seeking meaningful ways to create sanctuary within their homes
The Essence of Hygge Living
At its heart, hygge celebrates life’s quiet luxuries - the soft glow of candlelight, the warmth of cashmere throws, and the gentle pleasure of sharing unhurried moments with cherished company.
It’s about creating spaces that whisper rather than shout, where every carefully chosen element contributes to an atmosphere of refined comfort.
How to Use This Guide
Within this guide, we’ll explore how to weave hygge’s timeless principles into your home and daily rituals. From curating intimate gathering spaces to selecting materials that delight the senses, each chapter offers sophisticated yet achievable ways to embrace this transformative approach to living well. Consider this your invitation to discover how thoughtful design choices and mindful moments can elevate your home into a haven of serene luxury, where every detail contributes to a life beautifully lived.
The Nine Essentials of Hygge Living
1. Atmosphere, 2. Presence, 3. Pleasure, 4. Equality, 5. Grattitude, 6. Harmony, 7. Comfort, 8. Truce, 9. Togetherness
Creating Your Hygge Home
Lighting & Atmosphere
Transform your space through thoughtfully curated lighting - the cornerstone of authentic hygge living. Begin with natural daylight, positioning furniture to embrace the gentle flow of sunshine through windows. Layer this foundation with carefully selected ambient lighting, creating pools of warmth that guide the eye through your space.
For the ultimate hygge atmosphere, candlelight reigns supreme. Select unscented candles in natural materials, arranging them in small clusters at varying heights. Place them where their gentle glow can dance across surfaces, creating intimate pockets of warmth perfect for quiet contemplation or intimate gatherings.
Natural light instantly lifts the mood of any room and brings a genuine sense of warmth and clarity. For a true hygge space, keep window areas clear and use light curtains to welcome in sunlight. Arrange your favourite seating where daylight naturally falls, letting gentle rays highlight every cosy corner and texture.
Lovely Lighting
Tom Raffield
Lam Lighting
Pooky Lighting
Considered Lighting Options
Plum & Ashby
POTT Candles
100 Acres
Texture & Textiles
The secret to creating genuine comfort lies in the artful layering of luxurious natural materials. Begin with a foundation of pure linen or cotton, building layers with sumptuous wool and cashmere pieces.
Rowen & Wren
Consider texture as your palette: smooth against rough, soft against structured - creating a tactile journey that invites touch.
The White Company
As seasons shift, so too should your textiles. Summer calls for lightweight linen throws and breathable cotton cushions, while winter welcomes the embrace of chunky knit blankets and velvet accessories. Each transition offers a fresh opportunity to reimagine your space.
The Pure Edit
Natural Elements
Bringing natural elements indoors is central to crafting an authentic hygge environment. Verdant houseplants in elegant pots lend subtle life and fresh air, while natural fibres, such as wool, linen and cotton, introduce comforting texture and a sense of understated luxury.
Thoughtfully placed wood accents, from delicate trays to handsome cabinetry, evoke warmth and connection to the outdoors, creating spaces that feel grounded, harmonious and quietly inviting.
Attica Studios
Bergs Potter
Ferm Living
Living The Hygge Lifestyle
Embodying hygge simply begins with a handful of thoughtful choices: embracing comfort, slowing down, and finding delight in everyday rituals. In the following guide, discover five considered ways to invite hygge into your life, each offering a gentle shift towards warmth, presence, and understated pleasure.
The art of morning
The Future Kept
Begin each day with grace by creating a dedicated morning sanctuary, complete with fine china for tea or coffee, as natural light filters through drawn curtains.
Evening ritual
Neptune
As daylight fades, transition your space into an evening haven with soft lamplight and candleglow, settling into a favourite armchair adorned with luxurious throws.
Screen-free Sanctuaries
The Stamford Notebook Company
Designate technology-free spaces filled with carefully curated books, journaling corners, and comfortable spots for mindful activities.
The Art of Gathering
Rowen & Wren
Transform your dining space with natural linens, thoughtful seating arrangements, and gentle candlelight to create an atmosphere that encourages meaningful conversation.
Seasonal Traditions
Emma Bridgewater
Create gentle rhythms throughout your year with thoughtful traditions that celebrate the changing seasons and foster community connections.
Seasonal Hygge
Embodying hygge simply begins with a handful of thoughtful choices: embracing comfort, slowing down, and finding delight in everyday rituals. In the following guide, discover five considered ways to invite hygge into your life, each offering a gentle shift towards warmth, presence, and understated pleasure.
Winter's Embrace
Transform corners of your home into intimate retreats with layers of natural wool throws and handcrafted cushions, creating sanctuaries perfect for winter’s lingering evenings.
Let the gentle ritual of preparing warming beverages, perhaps Earl Grey in your finest china or rich hot chocolate, become a daily pleasure.
When frost touches windowpanes, turn inward to peaceful pursuits: reading by lamplight, gentle crafting, or simply watching shadows dance across walls.
Cooking is a wonderful way to embrace hygge in the winter with comforting meals shared around the table with loved ones. We love this festive menu from The Venetian Pantry.
Summer's Bliss
As warmer days unfold, extend your living space into sun-dappled gardens and peaceful terraces.
Exchange heavy textiles for whisper-light linens and crisp cottons that catch the breeze, allowing your home to breathe with the season.
Create meaningful connections with nature through morning garden rituals, evening walks, and alfresco dining beneath the stars.
Summer is made for alfresco dining moments, and gathering around an outdoor table is always a wonderful way to embrace a slow hygge evening. We love these recipes from The Venetian Pantry.
Our Top 5 Cosy Cotswolds Getaways
There are few places as beautiful as the Cotswolds when it comes to a cosy escape from reality. With our roots in the heart of the Cotswolds, we’ve chosen our five favourite local stays for a getaway of dreams.
1. Thyme England
Nestled in the heart of its namesake village, Thyme epitomises rural elegance; an estate where ancient farmsteads are fused with contemporary design. Expect fragrant gardens, tranquil spaces, and a discreet air of luxury: the perfect restorative haven for those who cherish genuine comfort and understated indulgence.
2. The PIG
Effortlessly relaxed yet inherently sophisticated, The Pig is a celebration of country life’s pleasures. Set amongst abundant kitchen gardens and rolling landscapes, expect deeply comfortable rooms, fireside feasts, and a commitment to authentic, sustainable luxury reminiscent of a grand English house party.
3. Wild Thyme & Honey
A riverside sanctuary graced with country warmth, Wild Thyme & Honey draws inspiration from village heritage and hand-crafted touches. Here, timeless textures, tactile linens, and gentle hues invite you to unwind by crackling fires, where every detail is considered for an enveloping sense of calm.
4. The BULL Charlbury
The BULL Charlbury reimagines the village coaching inn with unexpected flair: chalky linens, crackling hearths, and artful cuisine meet serene Cotswolds vistas. It is a gathering place for quiet moments, fine conversation, and the rare luxury of feeling wholly at home.
5. Double Red Duke
With a rich interplay of heritage and contemporary charisma, the Double Red Duke offers sanctuary within honeyed stone walls and candlelit corners. Thoughtful service, deep armchairs, and inspired gastronomy combine to create a sense of ease and timeless comfort: ideal for languid winter afternoons.
Resources
In our Ultimate Guide to Hygge magazine, we've created some helpful resources to bring hygge into your space.
The Hygge Home Checklist
How to Create a Cosy Corner
