How to Hygge Your Home: 13 Must-Haves for Your Coziest Life (Ever!)
It’s the Danish noun for “cozy” and these products will make your living space the coziest place ever.
You know that experience when you hear a word for the first time and then it suddenly pops up everywhere? And I mean everywhere? That's me with "hygge." Hygge—allegedly pronounced HUGH-GAH, but I have yet to hear someone use this pronunciation; usually it's a mix between hickey and huggie—is a Danish noun (without a clear translation to English) that more or less means cozy. When you hear the word it should evoke the feeling of a crackling fire... a warm blanket... a steaming cup of tea. But hygge isn't just a feeling. It's a way of life.
Hygge might be new to my vocabulary but the notion itself isn't new at all—it’s actually a sixteenth century concept that has recently made its way back into popular culture. Not only was it in the running for 2016’s word of the year, it’s also an oft-discussed topic on our current binge-watching obsession, Ladies of London. So it's time to grab an oversized throw and starting staging your best hygge life. We can help.
1. The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living
You can’t live the hygge life without learning about the hygge life. As the title suggests, this New York Times bestseller is your guide to living like the Danish—some of the happiest people in the world. From teaching you about the art of candles and lamps to how to build better relationships and get the most out of your “me” time, author Meik Wiking will teach you the basics of all things hygge.
2. Hygge Collection Soy Wax Candle
You can't achieve full hygge without a calming candle. (In fact, “candles” is literally the first chapter in The Little Book of Hygge.) Paddywax sells a full line of hygge candles, but we're partial to the rosewood and patchouli scent in a blush ceramic pot with copper lid—because candles need to look pretty and smell good, too.
3. Shag Puff Pillow
Whether you go velvet, shag, or cotton, more pillows = more hygge. Our current fave is this acrylic ivory cushion from Anthropologie. The puffy pillow adds a bit of texture to an otherwise smooth couch, and it’ll pair perfectly with your...
4. Avoca Plaid Lambswool Throw Blanket
...plaid-patterned throw! Like pillows before the throw, you can stock your hygge house with velvet, cotton, or plush versions. However, we’ll be snuggling up with this lambswool blanket, perfect for chilly nights at home with a mug of hot cocoa.
BRB, we are going to lay down for just a second...
5. Cat Study Mug
If hygge were to be defined by an animal, we’re pretty sure it would be a cat. What other animal spends its life curling up on the couch and and bathing in sun spots? So. Hygge. But because we can’t actually become a cat (as much as we’d like to sleep away 90% of our lives), we can at least buy all of the cat product!. A hygge place to start? A cat mug for said above hot cocoa.
On to logistics: Not only does this stone mug come in four cozy colors, it’s dishwasher safe and Anthro sells matching bowls. Awww!
6. Philips Wake-Up Light
Waking up from a deep sleep is so not hygge, which is why we’re all for waking up naturally with the sun. If getting up whenever you want isn’t in the cards, then it’s time to invest in an alarm clock that wakes you up semi-naturally. The circular clock simulates the sunrise and will gradually wake you up with natural light. You can also set up the clock so it gradually gets darker for bedtime. Hygge.
You can also select from five natural sounds to wake you up with the light. While we’re partial to soft chimes, but you can also select from sounds like birds chirping or or a combo of both.
7. Cooper Lounge Chair
Whether your ideal hygge day includes reading, binge-watching, or napping you need a cushy, over-sized lounger. Enter this Cooper Lounge Chair from Urban Outfitters. Sure, the chair is basically an upgrade on your college dorm bean bag, but it is a lot cooler. Just picture it in a vacant corner with string lights, candles, and a glass of red wine. Ahhhh. Hygge perfection.
BUY FROM: Urban Outfitters, $249
8. Illuminated Textured Stool
Use it as a stool or a side table or even as a unique floor lamp, but whatever the use, just know that it’s totes hygge. Being totally perfect =/= hygge, which is why we’re obsessed with the odd angles and textured fiberglass surface. It comes with a bulb, but imagine tossing in a black light or something colorful for an even cozier glow!
BUY FROM: Urban Outfitters, $329
9. Beni Neutral Rug
Cold floors are so not hygge. Treat your toes with this handwoven New Zealand wool that’s not only super cozy but will add that special something to your space. It comes in more than a dozen sizes so no matter the room you’re trying to up the hygge, this area rug will work.
BUY FROM: Wayfair, $94.99-$1,365
10. Wish Upon a Star Wallpaper
This is not your grandmother’s wallpaper! Embrace a more contemporary style like this constellation-inspired pattern from Anthro. Although it comes in four colors, we suggest going all in with the midnight blue. Instead of committing to a full blown starry room, toss this up on a single wall as a moody accent. Saying goodnight will be that much more hygge as you wish upon the star(ry wallpaper).
11. LED String Lights
A full-sized lamp is a little too bright for that hygge life, hence the soft glow of an alarm clock and the subtle light of the illuminated stool. In place of your traditional floor lamp, we prefer dainty string lights that give you the soft glow without ruining your new hygge life. Preferably with an Edison bulb. Obviously.
A few new ways to use string lights that are super cozy: Hang them behind your bed as a faux headboard, toss them in a vase or jar for a DIY table lamp, outline an entire wall, or add clothespins and display your photos.
12. Cozy Knot Pillow
Although the DIY version is currently making the rounds on Pinterest, we’re lazy, so we’re just going to buy the ultra-cute knot pillow instead. This cutie pillow is moldable, comes in four adorable colors, and is the perfect accent for your plush reading chair. Oh, and the word cozy is literally in the name. You can’t get any more hygge than that. (Except, knitting your own version is actually a super hygge activity, so we’re just as confused as you are now.)
BUY FROM: Urban Outfitters, $49
13. Recover Outlier Wireless Speaker
And finally, the last element of your cozy life: music. This portable speaker comes in a trendy mint-colored marble pattern and is Bluetooth compatible up to 50 feet with 8 hours of battery life. So whether you’re spending time with your e-reader in bed or soaking in your bubble bath, you’ll be able to hear your fave tunes from anywhere.
