Hygge at home – how to create a cosy winter

When the days get short and the cold nips at your cheeks, it's lovely to have a home that feels like a warm embrace. Hygge is the Danish word for exactly that feeling: being cosy, safe and keeping things simple, ideally with someone you care about. It's not about buying lots of new things, but about creating small moments of warmth in everyday life. Here are our best tips.

What is hygge?

Hygge is hard to translate exactly, but it's close to the English word cosiness. It's the feeling of candlelight on a dark evening, a cup of tea in your hands, a soft blanket over your legs and no rush. Hygge is as much a mindset as an interior style: allowing yourself to slow down.

Start with the soft stuff

A lot of the hygge feeling comes from what we touch. Soft, warm materials make a home feel inviting straight away.

Blankets and cushions

• Keep a blanket out on the sofa, and ideally one on the bed too. Knits, wool and fleece are classic choices.
• Mix textures: a chunky knitted throw, a soft velvet cushion cover and a wool blanket.
• Choose calm, warm colours like beige, grey, brown and muted pink tones.

Cosy clothes

Hygge applies to what you wear too. Change into something soft when you get home: a big knitted jumper, soft trousers and warm socks. An oversized knitted turtleneck is a good example of a piece that feels like a blanket but that you can also wear out.

Warm feet are half the cosiness

It's hard to feel relaxed with cold feet. Cold floors draw a lot of heat, especially tiles in the hallway, kitchen and bathroom.

• Fluffy socks for the sofa and reading corner. Our CozySocks have a thick sherpa lining and a cable-knit outside.
• Non-slip slippers if you move around a lot at home. CozySlippers are slipper and sock in one, with sherpa lining and non-slip grip on the sole.
• Rugs on cold floors, so your feet don't have to stand directly on tiles or stone.

Light that warms

Lighting is perhaps the easiest way to change the mood of a room.

• Switch off the ceiling light and use several smaller light sources at a lower height instead.
• Choose lamps with a warm, yellowish glow.
• Light candles – and remember to blow them out when you leave the room. LED candles are a safe alternative.
• A string of fairy lights in the window adds a cosy feel both inside and out.

Create a cosy corner

You don't need a lot of space. An armchair by the window, a floor lamp, a blanket and a small table for your teacup go a long way. Keep a basket nearby with socks, a book and something to potter with, and it's easy to settle in.

Small everyday rituals

• Evening tea or hot chocolate in a favourite mug.
• Baking on a Sunday afternoon, when the smell fills the whole home.
• A slow breakfast at the weekend with time to read and talk.
• Game night or movie night with friends or family.
• Screen-free time with a book, a puzzle or some knitting.

Don't forget to go outside

Hygge isn't just indoors. A walk in the winter light makes coming home to the warmth afterwards even nicer. Dress warmly with a beanie, scarf and gloves, and put on warm socks. You'll find matching winter accessories among our accessories.

Hygge also makes a lovely gift

Soft socks, a pair of slippers or a winter set with beanie, scarf and gloves are simple gifts that most people appreciate during the cold part of the year. Pair them with a box of tea or a candle.

Frequently asked questions

What does hygge mean?

Hygge is a Danish word that describes a feeling of cosiness, security and well-being, often in simple everyday moments.

How do you create hygge at home without buying lots of new things?

Start with what you already have: dim the lights, light candles, bring out blankets and create a spot where you love to sit down. Hygge is more about feeling than about things.

Which materials suit hygge?

Soft, warm materials like knits, wool, fleece, sherpa and wood create a snug feeling.

Are slippers or socks best at home in winter?

Both work. Fluffy socks are lovely on the sofa, while non-slip slippers are better if you move around a lot on cold or slippery floors.