What Is Hygge?

Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) has been on the tip of everyone’s tongue in the home interiors industry in 2016. It’s all about enjoyment and creating an intimacy in your life which resonates deep within your soul, taking pleasure from the little things in life. This can be translated to our home lives to include the right ambient lighting in our living rooms for a welcoming evening spent in absolute cosiness, to the art of making the perfect coffee. As a homeware stockist who aims to offer the perfect tools and accessories to help you build your ideal home, at Black By Design we believe in embracing new ideas and reflecting them in our carefully selected collections.

A Way Of Life

According to ‘The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way To Live Well’ by Meik Wiking, you know hygge when you feel it. As the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, Wiking is just the right person to teach us more about this happy state of living that we all seem to be seeking in the journey of our lives. He believes that hygge is the ‘missing ingredient’ that sets Denmark apart from other countries (the Nordic country being said to have the happiest inhabitants in the world). By creating a cosy, snug home, we’re feeding our happiness. His personal tip for ultimate cosiness? Delicious cocoa by candlelight.

Being linked to mindfulness and meditation, this is a cultural influence which has a positive impact on our emotional and physical wellbeing. With so much consumerism being at the forefront of our daily lives, the hygge philosophy of taking time for ourselves and doing what makes us happy is seemingly the antithesis to the latest clean eating fads and restrictive living we’re used to seeing in the media. As Wiking also comments, ‘it’s a hygge revolution’ and everyone is intrigued by the Danish way of life.

Even the tourism board in Denmark are promoting the soulful concept with VisitDenmark.com stating their own perception to include creating ‘a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people.’ The high season for hygge is without a doubt during the festive period with Christmas being seen as the ideal time to embrace warm activities with friends and family.

How To Create Hygge In Your Home

Blend the Danish art of hygge with your home interiors easily with a few simple tricks. As far as interior trends go, we’d suggest the fail safe Scandinavian trend with a soothing neutral colour palette, with natural fibres and textures. Don’t forget, it’s just about whatever makes you smile!

Put together a cosy little nook in your home where you can escape to for some time alone spent reading, journaling or simply enjoying your morning cup of coffee. Plenty of soft plush cushions and faux fur throws help elevate the levels of cosiness, plus deep pile rugs, candles and rustic wall hangings work well to create an aesthetically pleasing corner you’ll enjoy spending time in.

If your kitchen is the heart of your home, then this is a great place to begin transforming into a welcoming space for your loved ones to gather in. A well stocked wine rack and treats in the oven may be all you need to make your guests and yourself happy. Decorate surfaces with flowers (real or artificial) and plenty of candles for a lovely atmosphere with minimal effort.

Scandinavian Style at Black By Design

We pride ourselves on having our finger on the pulse of home interior trends here at Black By Design, which means we strive to provide our customers with all they need to create their dream home, whatever their preferred style. As we’ve discovered, the Scandi-inspired trend has taken over our lives and we have lots of wonderful Danish brands you’re going to love.

Vita Copenhagen perfectly encompass the Scandinavian home style with their collection of statement lighting in various stylish designs. Their Silvia pendant lights in copper, brushed brass or steel would offer any room an alternative lighting option, whilst the Eos feather pendant light shades would give a bedroom a lovely soft glow.

The Zone Denmark range includes some wonderfully sleek home accessories, such as felt laundry and storage baskets, to contemporary Peili 3-in-1 bowls and platters. The felt storage solutions are ideal for adding interesting texture to a room, as well as keeping your belongings organised. The accessories in this collection are also easily coordinated with other designer homeware you may have.

Every Nordic style bathroom needs a homeware piece from Rode Bath. With functionality at the top of their design wish list, the designers have created a stylish twist on everyday home items. Store cotton wool pads and other beauty products in the modern storage containers with mirrored lids, and hang your fluffy towels on a sleek metal towel rail.

Holmegaard is one of our newest Danish design brands, and they do not disappoint with their incredibly chic homeware accessories. Create your own hygge inspired living room with the Holmegaard candle holder and candle dish, or add to your kitchen with their grey storage jars with oak lids. Meanwhile, the designs from Lene Bjerre are inspired by the natural scenery of Denmark, and the collection at Black By Design provides many options to add to your home office or study.

Build a hygge friendly home with Black By Design today with our exquisite collections of contemporary Scandinavian inspired homeware, furniture and accessories.

(Top image source: Pinterest)