a mother and daughter cuddle together by the window on a rainy dayWhat if the secret to happiness isn’t having the newest high-tech gadget around, but something much simpler? Denmark knows a thing or two about happiness. Winning the top spot in the United Nations’ World Happiness Report in 2012, 2013, and 2016, Denmark has long winters but boasts a unique high quality of life. This is due in big part to the common practice of hygge, translating loosely to coziness, or to the comforts of home. The word dates back to the 18th century and is loosely connected to the word for “hug.” Practicing it is a point of pride for the people of Denmark, from the young to the old.

How to Hygge

There are many ways to hygge, but what sets it up apart from other ways of being is its focus on slowing down and being intentionally present for the given activity at hand. Hygge trades in our modern obsession with producing results for activities that promote being with others, single-tasking, and enjoying what is already here.

Togetherness

Though you can hygge on your own by curling up with a book on a rainy day, gathering with others is central to the practice. However, the energy of the gathering is as important as the gathering itself. Gathering to hygge together means coming together without pretense simply to enjoy each other’s company. It’s an opportunity to play board games, retell stories, and share warmth — not to brag about your accomplishments or have a video game competition. Hygge means gathering harmoniously to deepen relationships, nourish each other’s spirits, and often share food. Hygge gatherings are known for down-to-earth foods, such as plates of meat and potatoes, or rich baked goods and freshly brewed coffee.

Atmosphere

Because coziness is at the heart of hygge, creating a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere is central to practicing it. This means investing in simple but comforting additions to your home decor, ones that prioritize comfort. Set yourself up with a collection of beeswax candles, set your overhead lights to a dimmer, and create a charging station where all the tech can be stored while you hygge, wind down and unplug. When decorating, choose Scandinavian furniture that is inviting and begs to be lounged on. Think recliners, blankets, sheepskin rugs, and lots of freshly plumped pillows. For a colour palette, lean towards natural colours and finishes choosing organic materials like wood and leather over plastics.

Indulgence

A description of hygge would not be complete without touching upon one of the central core tenants of hygge: indulgence. The hygge version of indulgence, however, is much different from the North American perspective, which assumes instant gratification and a bigger-is-better mentality. The Scandinavian practice of indulgence is instead about savouring something fully, making hygge more about quality rather than quantity. Consider the difference between arriving home, mindlessly putting on your sweats before landing on the couch to watch your favourite show, and carefully picking out your favourite lounging outfit, and making yourself a cup of tea to enjoy while you slowly settle into your evening. It is this kind of slowing down and intentional indulging that makes hygge hygge! To try hygge for yourself, use the next rainy day as a way to reframe your thinking — now that you don’t have to rush out and run a million errands, what comfort of home do you get to indulge in? Hygge is perhaps exactly the kind of nourishment all of us need to help recharge in the midst of our busy lives. The Back Store is your source for high-quality, carefully chosen Scandinavian furniture. We’ve always been all about comfort and hygge, and we hope our selection can help you practice it.