Just creating this post I was all warm and fuzzy inside. I found myself ready to relax even before I did anything at my house yet. I guess just the thought of how to hygge up your house brings relaxation.
What is Hygge?
The Swedish Genealogist gives a great definition of hygge. Hygge is pronounced hue-guh. It can be used as a noun, adjective, or a verb. The word comes from a Norwegian word meaning “well being” and it’s a centuries-old Scandinavian / Danish concept that is used to describe a moment or feeling that is cozy, special, or charming.
This sounds amazing because it has become that time of year again where all the cozy things make us want to curl up and I think it’s about time we did just that. Let’s make our houses so cozy but first, we need to…
Creating the right atmosphere
Creating the right atmosphere involves tantalizing all 5 of the human senses. Which are:
Sight: What your house looks like? It is inviting? Does it scream “COME SIT ON ME! COME GET SO COZY YOU FALL ASLEEP!”
Sound: What do you hear? Loud cars in traffic? No, we want to hear relaxing music, maybe some nature sounds.
Touch: Are you wearing or sitting on this that makes you feel itchy? We need to find soft items that promote cuddle and squish me.
Taste: Make a meal that just gives you a hug and says worry about your diet tomorrow. haha…
Smell: Have you ever seen a person sad when their house smells like chocolate chip cooks.
Me neither, I rest my case.
Doing things around your home to stimulate these senses can leave you with a coziness feeling all over. Who doesn’t want that in their home?
Slow cook a meal
I don’t want nor do I want for you to have to worry about cooking dinner. Grab your crockpot to just set it and forget it till later when you are hungry.
I highly recommend The Magical Slow Cookers Mississippi pot roast or Paula Dean’s Crockpot Cheddar Bacon Potato Soup from Insanely Good Recipes. They are quick and easy. Dinner is cooking while you hygge up your house.
Find your Hyggekrog
This one I did not know had a name for it, but I know everyone has one. If you have ever watched Big Bang Theory you will know why this is such a big deal. So unlock your inner Sheldon and claim your spot on the couch. That is what a hyggekrog is.
Mike has his spot on the couch and I have mine. I have pictures on my Instagram of me on mine.
Create cozy lighting
Lighting is everything. Do you ever feel cozy when you are laying in a hospital bed under those fluorescence lights? No mean neither. Finding those lights that brings a warmness to your home that is just so damn inviting.
If the lighting in your home is not optimal I suggest you string some Christmas lights around to give the living room this kind of homey glow. Come on doesn’t that look cozy AF!
Light some candles
If you can’t get your hands on Christmas lights, lighting candles will do. Candles smell good and still bring that warmth to the room just the same. Just be careful and don’t fall asleep while burning a candle.
Find your cozy outfit
Nothing says relax more than an outfit that feels like a hug. There is just something about leggings and a comfy sweater or cardigan that just makes you at to cuddle on the couch. But really a comfy outfit could be whatever you want it to be.
You could be one of “those people” who think jeans are comfy. I don’t know how you could be… Nobody needs that kind of confinement in their life. Especially when you are hygge up your house.
No electronics
Hygge says no electronics. This is more about disconnecting from the screen. However, I think they could be used to enhance your experience. You won’t be on them, but you will be using them.
My idea is to put on a lo-fi vibey playlist with nature scenery on. I have a playlist on my YouTube of all my favorite lo-fi playlists. This is especially great if you can’t get outside bring the outside inside to you.
Cozy up with a good book
Nothing says hygge more than lounging around your house with a hot drink, a throw blanket, and a good book.
What are you currently reading? I started a book challenge if you would like to join? I have read 2 books so far and I just started my 3rd. Maybe we can make this book challenge a book club. Let me know!
Journal about your day
Being cozy all up on the couch with your hot drink, the throw blanket, and a book… Why not journal some. Writing down all the things you are thankful for this fall season.
I know we didn’t do a lot, but I am sure there is a lot to be thankful for. So sit down and write what makes you happy, what has brought you joy. Things you wish you had more of and things you will do differently when the world gets back to “normal”.
If you are looking for more prompts for your journal I have a whole list of questions you could ask yourself. Check them out on the freebies page.
Grab your favorite board games
The nostalgia of board games. Nothing brings a family closer or tears them a part quite like a board game. What is your favorite board game to play? Ours is Sorry!, Uno and Skip-bo.
Bake something sweet or savory
As I said at the beginning of this post… I have never seen a person sad when their house smells like chocolate chip cooks and I stand by that. Here is a suggestion trying the Chocolate chip cookie recipe from Handle the Heat. Just like getting them from the bakery.
If sweets aren’t your thing you can try your hand at making savory loaves of bread with an olive and herb dip. I tried making bread. I have learned my lesson and have gotten a lot better.
Hygge up your house
Isn’t it pretty easy to hygge up your house this fall season? Just some quick little changes and it’s cozy comfy time. These simple little changes don’t cost a lot. You could easily make do with what you have at home. I am sure you have most of this stuff at home.
Remember though hygge is not all about aesthetics and being Pinterest worthy. Hygge is about a feeling you have. A concept that is used to describe a moment or feeling that is cozy, special, or charming.
I hope you found this post to be cozy, special, or charming.
Let me know in the comments below what is your favorite part of the fall season?
Until next time, Have a great day!
I got such a warm feeling from reading this post. For some reason, it still feels like summer where I am right now but I can’t wait for the cold just to implement some of these. I started looking at cozy outfits and socks midway through reading this. Great post!
It is still summer here in Florida as it always is year-round, but inside my house, I want it cozy af.
It’s so important to speak to all the senses while hyyging up the spacem I learned a new word today, thanks!
this article simply all about relaxiation,,,,yes i totally agree,,,but in my case this can only be done during weekends,,,weekdays need to work hard and play hard to earn a living….the best part of it ccoking savory dishes for the family wich i love to do every weekend…and the least is. no electronics,,,listning to music watching tv movies netflix is a family bonding for us,,,,social media apps relaxes me to.i even fall asleep while facebooking
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Hey, you do you. If you can only do it on the weekends that is A-okay. I would rather have 2 days of coziness than none at all.
I came across this concept when I was in Denmark and loved it. I like the idea of putting up warm lighting to make the room feel cosier!
Honestly, living in Florida with its year-round summer is really what inspired me. If I can’t change the outside, I can definitely change the inside. LOL
God help me if Darcee, my wife reads this post because she is going to have me remodelling my house to hygge it up! She loves fall so the idea of a reading nook with blankets, books, and candles is probably her dream! Not sure how that is going to work in warm Louisiana but we may have to make it work to keep her happy!
Love ya Eric, but I am going to need Darcee’s email and social media. Make your house cozy AF. LOL
I know many Danish concepts, but I like most of them. Interesting tho…
Love dressing and getting my house to feel as cozy as possible during the fall and winter season.
I absolutely love it too.
Great ideas! i definitely don’t mind extra comfort this fall, it somehow doesn’t feel right now for me
I live in Florida… It never feels cozy and comfy for me. LOL
Yes ! The temps just dropped here so it’s making me want to “hygge” up everything lol! Love these tips
I am counting down the days until Florida has its cold days.
Oh Hygge is my favourite thing <3 and fall is the absolute best time to make your house cozy! I also am a huge fan of twinkle lights and I have them all over our house in various vases, or strung. I also tend to light lots of candles in the even to make the house smell lovely and feel extra cozy, while I curl up with a hot cup of tea and my favourite cozy blanket. I love all of your tips! Sometimes at Christmas, my mom has put together "Hygge Baskets" including mugs, fluffy blankets, teas, cookies, teapots, candles, all sorts of fun things to make people feel extra cozy during those colder months. Love your post!! 🙂 <3
Oh, I love the idea of a Hygge basket. I might have to do that this year. Everyone is getting blankets, mugs, cookies, and tea.
ha, I’ve learned a new term today, Hygge. I love the idea of that though, a house that is warm and cozy, I’ve always wanted to create the atmosphere in my own home. Baked desserts, scented candles, and soft furniture seem like the perfect way how to. Thanks for sharing
I strive for that. Once I own my own house I will probably never leave. It will be so warm and inviting my guests won’t want to leave either.
I just love the ideas you share here. Especially during these stressful pandemic times, I think we could use any tips at all on making our homes a more comfy and inviting place. As you point out, it doesn’t have to be costly in terms of time or money in order to be effective.
Use what you have and if you want to splurge on something then splurge.
I needed this! There’s already snow on the ground, and it’s not even Halloween. 😩 But reading about all the comforts of a hygge home makes me embrace the season change with excitement. Thanks!
UGH, I WANT TO SEE SNOW. I have never seen snow in my life. I was born in the wrong state. Stupid Florida. LOL
With all your brilliant and exciting ideas, you make me so look forward to the last few months of what’s been a testing and boring year. I’ll def’ try out a few. Cheers!
I have been counting down all year to make my house so comfy and cozy because Fall and Christmas are MY FAVORITE time of year.
It is beginning to get cold and rainy where I live, so these are great ideas for me. I love my big sweatshirts and slippers and being cozy!
Ya’ll are making me realize I need to move soon. LOL
This article could not have come at a better time. With so much going on during this pandemic, it is challenging to keep my spirits up for the festive season, nevertheless I must. I do slow cook and create warmth, and I will definitely be playing a lot of cool music in the background. Thank you so much for sharing this.
The right music makes any home instantly cozier.
I have been trying to journal my day and slow cook meals.
Thank you so much for the tips.
You are so welcome Bree.
Oh, Michele, I’m afraid that after reading your tips, I’ll never leave home again. You make it sound so easy – and especially now during another semi-lockdown, it’s super-important to feel hygge in your own four walls. Thanx for this cozy post 😉
It’s my goal in life to never leave my home, but make money somehow. LOL
I love this and definitely going to try make my space more inviting.
Let me know how it goes Dris.
Crocheting and upcycling clothes give me that hygge feeling and I love it. I love doing it while my cat sitting next to me sleeping.
That sounds like a lovely way to spend your nights. You had me at cats!
Liked and shared and thanks a lot for sharing some great ideas, especially the lighting, I am going to do the same at home – Knycx Journeying
The twinkle lights or even Christmas lights instant make the room feel more magical and cozy.
We all need to master this, especially at this time. While some people have gone out and are back to normal, much of the world is trying to adapt to the new normal. Learning how to hygge up your house is good not just for the fall season, but for always.
We have all spent so much time at home, we should do a little renovating and make our most used room very inviting and cozy.
really enjoyed my read here & appreciating all the ideas shared, am gonna resume my journaling 😀 cheers, siennylovesdrawing
I love the Fall season and all it entails. Bringing warmth to my house whether it’s decor and food is so beautiful.
Fall has slowly become my favorite time of year and I want my house to feel that way all year round.
The concept of hygge is so wonderful, glad you got the chance to incorporate it into your life!
That’s all I want is for my house to be warm, cozy, and inviting all year round.