fireplace

In case you haven’t heard of it, hygge, pronounced (hue-gue), is a term that encompasses a variety of concepts - all somewhat related to warmth. It’s about creating an atmosphere of coziness, comfort, contentment, and wellness. Wouldn't it be great to create the ultimate "Hygge" style bedroom? Origins of Hygge The term “Hygge” is a Scandinavian word that denotes an ambiance and mood of coziness, comfort, wellness, and contentment. Some believe it's associated with the Danish word “wellbeing.” Some believe it stems from the word “hug.” Others believe it stems from the Old Norse term “hygga,” which is defined as “to comfort” and is derived from the word “hugr,” which means mood. Regardless of its origin, the concept of hygge has become a defining characteristic and integral part of Danish culture. It has also permeated throughout the U.S. and other parts of the world over the past few years. In fact, in 2016, six books were published in the U.S. on hygge, with more following in succeeding years. There’s an interesting fact about the Danish culture and Denmark: despite having rain for almost half of the year and no tropical beaches, it was named the happiest country in the world. Does the “hygge” culture, which encourages people to live well and enjoy life’s simple pleasures, have something to do with it? 7 Ways To Create The Ultimate “Hygge” Bedroom When designing a bedroom in the hygge style, you want to feel as though you’re wrapped with a warm, friendly hug, as soon as you walk through the door. So, what can you do to hygge your bedroom for a long, frigid winter or chilly spring? 1) Install a Fireplace There’s nothing like a crackling fire to bring warmth, comfort, and coziness to your bedroom. While it isn’t always practical to install a wood-burning fireplace, you can try an electric heater that mimics a wood-burning fire. You can also burn fireplace scented candles. Some of them are even made with wood wicks, so you can experience the crackle and pop of burning wood! You can also install a gas fireplace. Many gas fireplaces, sold in stores today, look like the real thing. 2) Bring Plenty of Warm, Cozy Blankets There’s nothing that says warmth and comfort, like a warm, cozy blanket, to cuddle under this winter. In fact, the more, the merrier. You might want to install wooden quilt stands in your bedroom for the blankets. You can also have several throws along the foot of your bed, or you can add a comfortable overstuffed chair in a reading corner. Choose blankets made of warm, thick materials to enhance the hygge atmosphere, but make sure they are soft and touchable, too. 3) Choose Sturdy Wood Furniture Dare we say, rustic? For many people, rich, warm woods are the epitome of hygge, and few things say comfort and warmth better than a nice sturdy bed to snuggle into. Four poster beds with sturdy posts are a particular favorite, but the key is to choose touches of wood, throughout the room that lend warmth without overpowering the room or making it too dark. You might even consider wood flooring in your room for added atmosphere. 4) Be Mindful of Your Lighting Bright lights can be harsh, and reduce the feelings of comfort and warmth in your bedroom. Consider installing dimmer switches for your overhead lighting, so that you can control how much light comes into your bedroom at any given time. Beyond that, focus on subtle, warm lighting in dedicated areas of the bedroom. This includes things like table lamps, candle lights, and maybe even whimsical string lights in warm golden tones (not the bright LED variety). Candles are especially useful for creating hygge in a room because they not only add a visual sense of warmth, but the scented variety can also bring your sense of smell into play. Look for candle fragrances that make you feel warm and welcome. Some people like scented candles that smell like baked goods for this, especially during the warm winter months. Others prefer candles that smell like nature (crackling fires, pine trees, etc.). Choose fragrances and colors that work well together, especially if you’re burning multiple candles, and make sure it’s a fragrance you and anyone who shares your hygge bedroom can live with. 5) Use Area Rugs to Add Comfort and Warmth Thick, warm area rugs are perfect for cold winter days. They help to absorb the coldness of the floors beneath your feet, and they add more cheer than traditional carpeting. Area rugs give you an opportunity to sneak a little personality and charm into the room. This will enhance the hygge feeling whenever you return home, after a long day at work. Thick and plush is the word of the day, when choosing area rugs for your hygge bedroom. So, keep that in mind as you explore your options for the perfect choice. 6) Keep it Neutral The other thing you can do for a serious sense of hygge is to keep the colors in the room neutral. Bright colors can feel stark and cold, distracting from feelings of comfort and warmth that define hygge. Neutral, beige, winter whites and soft colors are perfect choices for creating that hug or embrace you expect to feel when walking into a hygge bedroom. 7) Use Natural Materials Stone, natural fibers, organic mattress, and wood are all ideal for bringing hygge into any room. It is especially important in rooms like bedrooms. Some fun touches to add include natural fiber baskets, wood furniture, thick wool-knit blankets, and live plants. You can even use natural light, streaming in through windows, for warmth in the day in your hygge bedroom. Who doesn’t love a hug at the end of a long day? What better way to feel comforted and warm, than to create a bedroom that gives you a hug, every time you walk into the room? What other ideas do you have to “hygge” your bedroom? Let us know. We would love to hear from you! Link to Us! If you found this article useful and shareable, please copy and paste the following into the html code of your website or blog: Learn More About Going Green at the PlushBeds Green Living Blog .