Home Decor and Interior Design Styling Tips to Hygge your Master Bedroom
/Bringing Hygge into Interior Design to create spaces that make us happy.
Hygge is a lifestyle around exploring human happiness in daily rituals.
During my days of traveling the world for kids fashion brands, I was fortunate enough to visit Copenhagen a handful of times. It wasn’t simply the rolling meadows of bright green grass and the biking commuters that mesmerized me. The people were unbelievably calm, present and well rounded. Sure, they work and create but their mindsets were not that of Americans. There was a peacefulness to their cadence. They were happy. The belief is their happiness is contributed to their practice of hygge. Let’s dig in a bit.
The first thing we must understand is hygge itself. The pronunciation is up for debate and quite honestly, the Danes speak with such a deliberate yet delicate tone that it will be hard for Americans to duplicate. The two pronunciations I found closest to what I believe is correct are "hue-gah" or "hoo-guh". Think circle lips when you say it out loud or google pronunciation of it with your microphone turned on. But, what is it you ask?
The fundamental principles of hygge include atmosphere, presence (the ability to be focused in the now), pleasure, gratitude, comfort, and togetherness. The concept of hygge is about gratitude and savoring the simple pleasures that bring you joy. Since 71% of Danes believe home is where you experience, it’s an ideal time to develop the concept in your own home. Here’s what you need to know to Hygge it out:
The Nook: Historically speaking, these hyggekrogs are placed by a window but it’s not necessary. You can easily define a comfy corner space by adding a cozy chair and some pillows and you guessed it, lighting.
Fireplace: It’s the ultimate experience in coziness and warmth. Not always an option for everyone in their master, but they are relatively common in living rooms and dens and also can be added with a plug in version where gas is not an option or convenience.
Candles: There is no hygge without candles. Danes light candles almost every single day. I was happy to read this because it’s hands down one of the most comforting things to me personally. Well, that and fireplaces. Have you ever done a fire meditation where you just sit and watch the flicker of the flame. Try that before you crawl in bed and sleep like a baby :)
Wood: According to The Little Book of Hygge, Wiking suggests that wood plays a vital role in feeling grounded as it takes us back to our caveman roots. It’s one reason he says wooden toys are making a come back. Wood brings us closer to nature and is a simple and warm aesthetic. Some examples on how to bring wood in: flooring, an antiqued dresser, a blanket ladder or a nightstand.
Nature: Literally bring the outdoors in. Cowskin rugs, sheepskins, greenery, acorns… basically anything you can think of to store on a table, bench or the floor. Those of you who’ve seen my garland wall art video know that I’m all about bringing nature inside the house. Even if, the spiders do sometimes come with it. EEK!
Books: Taking a break with a good book is what hygge is all about. Any book is considered hyggelig but the classics hold a special place for the viewer. According to Wiking, books written by authors such as Jane Austen, Charlotte Brontë and Charles Dickens should be placed in prominent spots on shelves.
Ceramics: Your favorite mug, teapot or vase are all hygge. The feeling behind these pieces is what makes them important… they are comforting. Typically driven by rituals of making tea, picking wild flowers for your vase and filling a ceramic pot with herbs or greenery from the outdoors, all of which are the cornerstone of hygge.
Tactile Accents: Much of design is less about how you think and mostly about the feeling a space provides. What will you be doing in a room and how will that make you feel. For example, your bedroom will be for sleeping, reading and relaxing. Therefore, selecting key pieces that will enhance those experiences is crucial.
Vintage: In our modern day of grab and go, we are less likely to spend the time sourcing relics that bring us joy. We try to hit up antique co-op shops once a month in hopes of finding special ceramic bowls, lamps, wooden accents and even antique toys. It’s a really fun past time for the kids and provides them with a broader understanding of evolution.
Blankets and Cushions: Think snuggly and cozy and warm. Layering multiple blankets and pillows is not only hygge it’s a beautiful way to create a color palette, add texture and create dimension to a room. One of the easiest places to start with this is on your master bed.
I truly hope these tips have helped you understand more about how interior design in your spaces directly relates to your overall well-being and happiness. We talk about this a lot and even wrote about it on our very first blog post in 2019. You can read that article here - 8 lifestyle interior design tips to encourage growth + happiness at home and work.
Join the Terra Sol Virtual Book Club for March where we’ll be delving deeper into the principles of hygge as well as sharing some hygge examples in our own spaces with each other. To sign up for the March event, visit our sign up page HERE. So, come on let’s get Hygglig!
