We delve into the world of hygge with Melissa Denham, Interior Design Expert at Hammonds Fitted Furniture, and explore how you can bring the cosy Scandinavian concept into your own home.
Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah for those wondering) is a Danish word that loosely translates to cosiness and is a concept that provides a feeling of warmth and being content. A hygge home helps you to enjoy life’s simple pleasures through minimal interior design choices that focus on enhancing the cosiness of your home – perfect for the cold, miserable winter months.
One colour
Focusing on one colour when choosing a colour scheme will give you clean and simple surroundings that place emphasis on effortless style and easy living. This is a great place to start when introducing hygge into your home as it acts as a base for the rest of your interior.
“Rooms covered in just one shade are becoming even more popular as they serve as a refuge from the busy modern world outside. Many Danish interiors follow a pattern of using one dominant colour – with just a little bit of accent detail within the room – throughout their living space. This colour is typically one from a neutral or pastel colour palette, with sage, beige, and putty being popular shades. A monochrome interior can give a space a calming, positive energy.”
Our Pick
Beige 07 | Lick | £45
Beige 07 is a mid-beige with warm white and yellow undertones that’s the perfect hygge colour. It’s a rich and optimistic colour that brings a touch of golden hour into your space, making it feel comforting and warm.
Aim for sustainability
Sustainability has been a key aspect of Danish interior design for some time, and the UK is quickly following suit – it’s now easier than ever before to incorporate sustainability into your home.
“With the discussion about environmentally friendly design and minimal impact on the planet having
gone on for a very long time in Scandinavia, many British designers are now also taking sustainability
to the next level here. Think recycled wooden floors, hessian place mats, jute rugs, and bamboo kitchen shelves. These are all things that look visually attractive but are also minimally processed to reduce damage
to the environment. Incorporating natural light into interior spaces can also reduce the need for artificial lighting and improve energy-efficiency. So, consider the positioning of windows and skylights when it comes to placing furniture and fittings.”
Our Pick
Seaspray organic oval jute rug | Braided Rug Company | from £40
Jute is well known for being highly durable, easy to maintain, and sustainable. This one from Braided Rug Company keeps to the neutral vibes of hygge, with a subtle pop of colour.
Bring the outdoors in
Even though a neutral or monochrome colour scheme is a defining feature of a hygge home, unexpected colours can be used to mix things up.
“Houseplants add a vibrant pop of green into a kitchen; they play a significant role in a hygge lifestyle. Lush greenery not only splashes colour into a minimal kitchen but also contributes to that sense of calm and zen by connecting with nature and blurring the lines between the indoors and outdoors.”
Our Pick
Snake plant | Soto Gardens | £12
If you don’t have green fingers and often kill your houseplants, a snake plant is the perfect choice for you as it requires very little maintenance. It will bring the outdoors inside and connect you to nature from the comfort of your own home.
Contrast old and new
Danish interior design often incorporates a mix of vintage and modern elements, creating a unique and eclectic look that’s easy to replicate.
“Keeping artisanal techniques alive is important to traditional Danish craftspeople, and there’s a good chance that buying vintage Danish-style furniture could land you with some high-quality pieces that can be easily upcycled. When combined with a few of the convenient features found in a modern interior, the results can be both beautiful and functional.”
Our Pick
Mid-century Danish teak vintage vanity bureau | & VNTG | £895
Produced in the 1960s for Danish retailer Illums Bolighus – a renowned design store known for high quality furniture, décor, and lifestyle products – this vanity is the perfect piece to bring hygge into your home.