Our Guide to Hygge
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Stories, updates, and interviews from Burrow
Our Guide to Hygge
If you missed Hygge the first time it visited from Denmark to sweep the nation, there’s never been a better time to get familiar. The Danish practice of happiness, contentment, and comfort is pronounced hue-ga, and feels just like a hug. An antidote to the winter blues, hygge brings the best parts of winter front and center, from spending time with friends and family to finding charm in the everyday.
This season, we’ve teamed up with Bearaby, known for their best-in-class weighted blankets, to help you bring hygge into your life. It’s more than just a few tips and tricks, it’s about turning everything you know about the great winter hibernation on its head, making it about happiness over hiding.
Start at the top
The sun sets early and so should your overhead lighting. A warm, inviting atmosphere starts with lighting, so if you already have dimmers, turn them down a notch. If you’re an advanced practitioner of wintry comfort, turn off the overhead lighting entirely and get creative with candles and lamps.
A few candles, especially in glass vases or holders, surround you with a (literally) warm glow and, optionally, your favorite scent. Strategically placed lamps fill the room with functional light, where candles aren’t bright enough, without flooding the space the way overhead lights do. Shadows are just as important for creating your perfect cozy space as areas of light.
Under pressure
Now that you’ve set the mood with lighting, curl up under a weighted blanket with a good book (or a few hours of reality TV, whatever floats your boat). Filling your space with blankets and throw pillows is essential, and don’t forget the most relaxing essential of all: Bearaby’s weighted blankets are proven to help reduce anxiety and improve your sleep. The gentle, full-body pressure makes you the little spoon without anyone having to fall alseep with an inconveniently placed arm, and even when you’re awake, it improves, mood, focus, and looks beautiful for that extra dose of joy.
Go au natural
You know that indescribable feeling of peace you get when you’re out in nature? While it’s cold, bring it inside with you. Make space for plants and furnish your home with simple design and natural materials. All-wood furniture like our Serif Coffee Table or Index Wall Shelves lend some natural texture, and there’s something special about the way the limited daylight bounces off authentic wood finishes to create a cozy sense of place.
Gather ‘round
The key to hygge is appreciating the little things, and no one deserves more appreciation than the people in your life. Even if they’re the people you see every day (because, you know, they live with you), celebrate loved ones with a drink or a bite while you gather around a table for board games or conversation. Make room for everyone with a big sectional, try adding a bench for the extra space and storage, or go for an armchair to accent your sofa. You can’t go wrong with more room.
Pictured here: Bearaby Velvet Napper
Pictured here: Field 6-Piece Sectional Double Lounger
Make your routine a perfect ten
Take comfort in daily rituals. You know those little things you try every once in a while, like a hot cup of tea before bed, and think to yourself, ‘why don’t I do this all the time?’ That can start now. Whether it's a warm beverage, a leisurely bath, or just some time with your thoughts, make your evening routine intentional and give yourself something to look forward to. Not to mention, a little phone-free time goes a long way.
While you wait for the groundhog to do its thing, get comfortable celebrating the winter months. Hygge is about reframing your thoughts and finding joy in the little things, whether it’s updating your cozy spaces with new furniture or just adding a weighted blanket. Sunshine and the great outdoors will be calling before you know it, so get cozy while you can.
