What the Heck is Hygge?

Quick: are you into hygge? Chances are, most of you are staring at your screen trying to figure out what we just asked you. Is it a style of yoga? A new yogurt-based diet trend? A hip new dance? The answer is far simpler than you think: hygge, pronounced “hoo-ga” is a Danish concept based on the principle of finding happiness and comfort in everyday life. Hygge can be roughly translated to “cozy contentment,” and those who are inspired by the Danes to embrace hygge in their lives report a sense of enjoyment, happiness and wellbeing in even the smallest things in life.

Perhaps the best thing about hygge is that it can literally be anywhere you look for it, as long as something brings you joy. Being mindful and appreciative of people and things that matter to you can help you find your sense of hygge and lead a stronger, more purposeful life. Here are some tips on how to achieve hygge within your everyday life:

Get comfy- In order to achieve the warm, fuzzy feeling associated with hygge, it is essential to make your home and surroundings as comfortable as possible. Cashmere socks, snuggly throw blankets and warm sweaters with plush textures can all contribute to your sense of hygge.

Keep it simple- Hygge is all about finding beauty in simplicity. Whether you choose to embrace the simple life by inviting a couple of friends over for a no-frills, home-cooked dinner or by spending a relaxing evening in an overstuffed armchair with a glass of red wine and one of your most beloved books is up to you. Find the joy in the simple things in life and you’ll have hygge locked down!

Love your friends and family- Of course you already do this, but to gain true hygge perspective, try spending more quality time with your loved ones. Simply chatting around a warm log fire or relaxing on a big comfy couch and telling stories of good times past can deepen your connection to one another and give all of your an immense sense of inner peace and well-being.

Bring nature in (or bring yourself out!)- Connecting with nature is one of the foundations of the concept of hygge. There’s nothing quite as uplifting for the soul as a walk through the great outdoors, breathing in the fresh air and feeling your heart pump in your chest while you think your thoughts. If you can’t get outdoors at the moment, do the next best thing and bring the best of nature inside the house with you: a well-placed bowl of pinecones, an antique vase filled with wildflowers, or a collection of pressed fall leaves will boost the hygge factor each time you look at them.

For more about hygge and what it can do for your life, read this interesting article from House Beautiful, and please let us know how hygge is going for you in the comments section.  

Make the Most of your Backyard

Summer is here again- time to get outdoors with friends and enjoy barbecues, watch your kids run through the sprinklers, or simply relax in a hammock and watch a lazy afternoon drift by. This time of year, your backyard turns into another room of the house, for as much time as you and your family are spending out there. But what can you do if your backyard could use a little design help? Here are some tips for maximizing space, upping the “wow” factor, and turning your backyard into a summer paradise!

Break it into “rooms”- Rather than view your backyard as a whole, separate it into a multi-functional group of “rooms.” Have separate zones for grilling, dining, gardening, playing- whatever you wish to use your backyard for. By creating the visual separation, you will give the illusion of a much bigger, more organized yard.

Let the exterior match the interior- To create a better sense of “flow” from your home’s interior space to the backyard, try to select the same colors and styles of furniture that are present inside your home. Affordable lounge-style seating homier and encourage relaxation and conversation.

Play with angles- For smaller backyard spaces, why not create more area by shifting the angle of the paving? Doing your stamped concrete or brick patio in a diamond rather than a square, for instance, gives you more room on each side for grass, trees, bushes and flowers for landscaping.

Cut down on clutter- Of course, the easiest and quickest way to get your backyard looking good is to clean it up and minimize the clutter and junk. Treat your backyard like any other room in the house, and pay attention to its cleanliness and style. By reducing the number of planters in your backyard and making them all one uniform style, for instance, you will make your backyard design seem much more purposeful and less chaotic.