The COSY factor: 5 ways to get instant ‘hygge’ this winter
Hygge (pronounced ‘hooga’) is a curious idea. The Danish concept of ‘cosiness’ and ‘peacefulness’ is less a tangible thing, more a philosophy, a feeling.
Still confused? Well, if you’re cuddling on the soft in fluffy PJs and drinking hot chocolate, chances are you’re nailing hygge.
Hey, if it’s good enough for Denmark (the happiest country on Earth according to the UN) it’s good enough for us. Wanna get your own hygge on this winter? Here’s how:
1. Bake muffins
Or brownies, cakes, cookies – just pick your poison and get baking. This will achieve hygge on so many levels: you’ll feel like a productive member of society, the house will be filled with the warm smell of baking (very hygge) AND you’ll have loads of freshly baked goodies to snaffle in front of the telly.
2. Cosy up in pyjamas
Cosying up in our PJs after work isn’t exactly a stretch for us, so this is probably the easiest way to get hygge-ready in a jiffy. Just make sure yours are super soft and warm – in fact, we would have to put a case forward for head-to-toe fleece.
3. Fill the gaff with candles
Dimming the lights and placing candles all around the living room is another tried and tested way to get your hygge on. And we’re all about the mood lighting, so if you want to up the hygge ante, hang some strings of twinkling fairy lights across the mantelpiece and over the windows too.
4. Embrace soft furnishings
As if we needed an excuse! Make all your cosy dreams come true by scattering the living room and bedroom with fleecy blankets, furry rugs and huge, huggable cushions. You want to reach the point where someone walks into the room and can’t see you, because you’re buried under a mountain of cosy goodness.
5. Wrap up for winter walks
Hygge is all about feeling peaceful, happy and cosy, so you’ll want a crisp, cold day with blue skies and a bit of wintry sun. And of course you’ll need to look the part, so wrap up in soft oversized woollies, fur-lined boots and warm hats. Extra hygge points are awarded if you’re holding a chai spiced latte or a hot choc.
And if you’re taking a hygge-worthy winter walk with your baby, the only way to play it is to rock the Stokke Xplory range of strollers from super stylish Scandi brand Stokke. The strollers are minimalist chic at its best, and the Stroller Winter Kit even comes with a gorgeous set of matching fur mittens to keep mamas’ hands toasty. Hygge central!
