Hygge [hoo-gah]
Have you heard of Hygge? You may or may not have heard of the term, but now is the time to practice it! For those new to the concept, Hygge (pronounced: hoo-gah) is a Norwegian word that means "well-being." the people of Denmark have wholly embraced the Hygge way of life; after all, the Danish people are well known to be the happiest people on the planet!
Since February is the month of showing love, I wanted to share ways you can practice Hygge through home design. Taking care of your well-being is a form of showing self-love and loving others within your home. Some of the ways I practice Hygge are:
LIGHTING: Candles are a great way to add cozy lighting to your design. I love designing with the flameless candles sold at Pottery Barn. They flicker to emulate a real candle, without the worry of forgetting to blow out the candle but instead putting it on a timer! Brilliant! To keep the hygge vibe, choose warmer light bulbs. I typically select between 3000K for a warm white and 3500K bulb for a more neutral light you can place on a dimmer.
TEXTURES: Blankets and pillows are great for creating a hygge vibe. I like to design with chunky knits, furs, and the fun new sherpa materials. After all, the softer, the better when creating a welcoming environment after a long busy d
TONES: The hygge color palette is typically understated with soft and earthy tones. Any natural materials are great to use when creating a cozy retreat. Hygge is about creating a welcoming space, which can be accomplished through interior design!
NATURE: Plants add to the feeling of well-being. They help clean the air by adding to the humidity in the house, and if you'd prefer silk plants, I use those too, so feel free to go natural or faux when designing with trees and plants within your home. I use a company that creates all my silk designs using natural tree stems and silk leaves. Olive trees are my favorite to design with, as they unconsciously remind us to extend an olive branch when we disagree, which is an excellent reminder of caring for our well-being, AKA hygge.
Elevation Ave applies Hygge throughout our designs and renovation projects. As we often crave a little more contentment and comfort, know it's possible through thoughtful design, and we are here to help. If you want to create your unique hygge haven, give Elevation Ave a call today!