Since “The Cozy Life” was published in 2016, the Danish concept of hygge has become quite a phenomenon. It seems everyone is talking about it. And why not? Hygge is like being given official permission to light a bunch of candles, curl up with a fuzzy blanket and drink yummy hot beverages. What’s not to love?
I’ve been practicing hygge my whole life although I didn’t know it had a name. Curling up in a cozy corner with a hot cup of tea has been a favorite pursuit since I was a toddler drinking hot tea with lots of milk and sugar at my grandparents’ house next door. My cousin and I each claimed a corner of Grandma’s den where we played house by the hour. We made these corners as cozy as we could with whatever we dragged in each day, usually loaded up in our doll strollers.
Those days are long past but I still love having my own spot to sit and read and drink tea.
Here’s how you can create your very own cozy Hygge Corner.
1. Choose your location: Ideally, this will be your very own comfy chair in an out-of-the-way spot in your house. A place where you can go to read, think, daydream, nap and of course, drink delicious hot beverages. But even if you don’t have your own chair, you can claim a corner of the sofa and make the area around it a comfortable and cozy place.
2. Side table: Have someplace to set a cup within easy reach.
3. Lighting: Overhead lighting can be harsh. If possible, there should be a lamp in your Hygge Corner.
4. Fluffy blanket or throw: My mom has given us some very soft blankets the past two Christmases so we now have four. I have one on the ottoman in my corner, David has one on his chair in our library, and we have two more in the family room. No matter where we settle for the evening, we have one of these lightweight but warm (and SOFT!) blankets handy.
5. Candles: You can’t really experience hygge without candles, right? I think it’s a law or something. Be sure you have matches or a lighter nearby, as well.
6. A coaster for your drink: A steaming hot cup of tea or coffee can ruin the finish on many types of side tables so be sure to keep a cute coaster handy.
7. Books and magazines: One of my favorite activities to pursue in my Hygge Corner is reading. I keep a basket on one side of my chair for books and a cute magazine holder on the other side for current magazines.
8. Twinkle lights: Perhaps not essential but such a nice touch. My corner is near the bookcase in our library and I have a string of lights draped around it. I put them up one Christmas several years ago and liked them so much I left them.
9. Box of tissues.
10. Reading glasses if you use them. And extra lighting if necessary.
11. Manicure supplies: I keep a small manicure set in a zippered case in the basket with my books. Sometimes you just need to file your nails and it’s handy to have at least an emory board nearby.
12. Hand cream: I don’t know about you but my hands get really dry in the winter.
13. Phone charger: Have one that is designated just for your Hygge Corner and threaten anyone who dares “borrow” it.
14. Flowers or a plant are a nice addition.
15. Candy dish with chocolates. I would love to do this but our dog, Shiloh, got ahold of some fancy chocolates two Christmases ago and we had to make him “dispose” of them out in the front yard. On a freezing night. Including several wrappers. We have to keep chocolates in a closed cupboard but if you don’t have a chocoholic dog (or toddler) it would be lovely to have a few delicious chocolates in a precious little candy dish.
16. A Hobby: A deck of cards, puzzle book, adult coloring book or something similar.
17. Handwork: If you knit or crochet, a pretty basket with your latest project would be a great addition to your Hygge Corner.
18. Music: This could just be your phone but an old fashioned radio or a turntable with vinyl records seems more hyggelig to me. My corner happens to be right by our stereo system.
19. Himalayan salt lamp: I don’t have one yet but it’s on my list!
20. Diffuser: I like to address all the senses in creating my space and it’s nice to be able to diffuse essential oils near my Hygge Corner.
21. Light therapy lamp: If the dark days of winter have a tendency to get you down, a light therapy lamp can be really helpful. By exposing yourself to wide-spectrum light mimicking sunlight, you may find improved energy levels and sleep patterns. If this is something that you need, putting it in your Hygge Corner just makes sense.
Hygge Corner Resources
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The book that began it all:
Twinkle lights
Turntable
Light therapy lamp
Coasters
Throw blanket
Hand Cream
Magazine Holder
Soy Candle – Lavender
Salt Lamp
Diffuser
And finally, what is a Hygge Corner without a delicious, steaming hot cup of tea? I recommend:
Reading Nook Blend by Plum Deluxe
Sounds delightful – I’d never want to leave! I do have my favorite space on the couch, with my books, magazines, a notebook and pens, a soft blanket, and my cuticle salve nearby.
We do need our nests, right?
The Alexandra Stoddard is available at Amazon. Used books only
If I set up a space like that, I’d never want to spend time anywhere else!
I didn’t know about Hygge until around a year ago, but I’ve been doing things that could be considered Hygge since I was little too, and curling up with a soft blanket, a warm drink, and a good book – or movie – is still my favourite way to spend my time.
It is indeed a temptation to spend a lot of time there. 😉