What is Hygge?

Have you ever curled up under a blanket with a good book and a cup of coffee? Or spent an evening in your most comfortable sweater, cuddling with a loved one in front of the fireplace? What sounds like a scene from every romantic comedy is actually a Scandinavian term: Hygge.

Pronounced hoo-gah, hygge is a sense of coziness, warmth and comfort. It’s a mood that spikes in the fall and winter months, as temperatures dip for much of the world. As we spend more and more time indoors those few months each year, our homes become our source of happiness and well-being - this is when hygge design is at its peak.

2097 Chandelier By Flos Lighting

265 Plug In Wall Light by Flos Lighting

So how do you bring hygge into your home? Elements like washed woods, lush textiles, soft shapes and warm color temperatures go a long way - it may be easier than you think.

Warm Dim technology by PureEdge Lighting

Color Temperature

The quickest way to warm up your space is to dial down your color temperature. Today’s LEDs mimic the warm glow of incandescent, and modern technologies like Warm Dim and Tunable White make it easy to dial into the comfortable mood you’re looking for. To keep things cozy, look for bulbs and fixtures in the 2700K range. Tala offers an incredible selection of modern LED bulbs. 3000K is a bit too white, and 2400K and below cast a dramatic amber hue. 2700K feels reminiscent of a sunset, washing any space in the familiar glow of a sunset.

Shop 2700K Bulbs Explore Warm Dim & Tunable White

Flower Pot Pendant by &Tradition

Material

Mother Nature often provides a sense of serenity and calm, and textures like wood, feathers or warm stone help carry that mood into the home. The Tie Stix collection from PureEdge Lighting is the perfect blend of materials, with several wood options and metal finishes. Choose a suspension or wall mount, match your finishes and select the perfect color temperature or Warm Dim option for the ultimate hygge fixture.

Mater and LZF are other great options, when it comes to wood fixtures. If you’re looking to go beyond the grain, Scandinavian brand Umage has a variety of feather fixtures to help lighten things up, while brands like David Trubridge, Santa & Cole, Currey & Company and Marset use a veritable palette of natural materials to create pieces that are at once chic and cozy.

Baird Light by Hudson Valley Lighting

Tip Toe Table lamp by Hudson Valley Lighting

When choosing finishes, worn and rustic textures with a sense of history and heritage make a space feel inviting and lived in. Light, washed woods, warm golds, soft matte and vintage brass are all great choices. Avoid high gloss, cool glass or cold hues like silver and dark grey - while great in contemporary spaces, they have a tendency to feel stark and sterile, the opposite of hygge.

Superloon Floor Lamp by Flos Lighting

Shape

It may be strange to think of shapes as setting a mood, but subtle elements can make a world of difference. Scandinavian and midcentury modern design are often associated with warmth and well-being - pillars of hygge - thanks in large part to their use of soft edges, rounded corners, globes and florals. Lighting brands Arteriors, George Nelson, Muuto and Mitzi offer an incredible selection of fixtures in every shape and size imaginable. Once you land on that perfect shape, vintage finish and warm color temperature, you’ll be amazed how quickly your space warms up.