A Hygge-Style Home: The Danish Path to Happiness
Find out how to turn your home into a peaceful and relaxing retreat by following the principles of Hygge design.
Find out how to turn your home into a peaceful and relaxing retreat by following the principles of Hygge design.
The word hygge represents a Danish concept that describes the feeling of contentment and well-being that comes from life’s simple pleasures. Sitting on the couch with a hot cup of tea, a soft and cosy blanket, the delicate scent of a candle, a relaxing bath after a long day at work.
Words like simplicity, intimacy, warmth, and security perfectly describe this lifestyle, deeply rooted in Danish culture and, in recent years, increasingly popular as an inspiration for our homes as well.
Join us as we continue to explore the origins of this philosophy of life and discover the ways in which it can be applied to create an authentic hygge-style home!
It’s no coincidence that, for years now, Denmark has consistently been ranked as one of the happiest places on earth by the UN’s “World Happiness Report”. So what’s the secret to this happiness?
The answer, or one of them, lies in a single word: hygge, a concept that the rest of the world tries to translate with words like inviting, warm, or homey, but that, for the Danes, requires no explanation. This one word embodies a true philosophy of life that encompasses various, interconnected aspects. Of these, the home environment undoubtedly plays a central role.
In this context, the home becomes a welcoming retreat, a place in which to share precious moments with friends and family. Hygge means rediscovering the simple things, cherishing time spent with loved ones and doing what make us feel good. Accustomed to long, cold, dark winters, Danes seek warmth and comfort within the walls of their homes, turning their living spaces into true havens of well-being.
This is why hygge-inspired décor focuses so heavily on comfort: plush sofas, large cushions, woollen blankets, combined with the use of candles or table lamps to cast a warm glow. All these elements work together to create a space in which every detail encourages serenity and well-being.
For those who wish to integrate hygge-style into their home, surfaces play a crucial role as well, especially when they add warm colours and inviting textures or patterns.
Choosing ceramic surfaces that mimic the beauty of natural materials like stone and wood – such as those of Panaria’s Kairos collection, ideal for adding a touch of warmth and authenticity to a space – helps to enhance the sense of nature that the home transmits.
Natural colours, raw wood, and plenty of lit candles: these are the first things that come to mind when we think of a hygge atmosphere. This style is typically Scandinavian, with neutral tones, simple materials, and details that instantly make you feel at ease, such as soft lighting and relaxing scents filling the air.
Beige, cream, and brown are the basic colours, but white, black, and grey are also part of this cosy look, which can even include some more vibrant accents, like electric blue or sage green, to add personality.
In short, here are some essential tips:
While for us it is more common to go out to dinner with friends, in Denmark the opposite is true: it is more common to have people at home, and this is reflected in the layout of the domestic spaces.
An open-plan kitchen perfectly captures the hygge spirit, making it possible to cook and chat with guests without ever isolating oneself, all in a warm and communal environment. Another great option is a kitchen with an island, perhaps featuring a comfortable bar and a few stools, perfect for creating a festive atmosphere or for sipping a cup of tea or hot chocolate!
Choosing surfaces that capture the warmth of natural materials can transform this space into an incredibly cosy environment. Organising the kitchen in a functional way, with everything easily accessible, helps to create a relaxing atmosphere which is essential to the hygge style.
The Borealis collection by Panaria, which faithfully replicates the look of oak on durable stoneware surfaces, is perfect for this room, providing visual warmth, practical durability, and excellent hygiene, ensured by the PROTECT® antibacterial shield.
For the dining room, a large table is ideal, preferably round, surrounded by plenty of chairs. For a cosier and more rustic touch, try replacing the chairs with wooden benches topped with soft cushions!
To add decorative elements that enhance the warm and cosy feel of the kitchen, incorporate details like aromatic herbs in flower pots, wooden utensils, and ceramic containers for a personal and functional touch.
In a true hygge-style kitchen, dishware displayed on floating shelves, small retro-style appliances, and a wood stove that heats the space and warms the atmosphere are essential. The choice of chairs, which can all be different from one another, also allows one to introduce a bit of personality. The idea is to create a space for informal social gathering, where everyone feels at home and participates in the preparation of dinner, while chatting and laughing, at a leisurely and relaxed pace. This too is hygge!
While the living room is a space for socialising, the bedroom is an intimate retreat. Here less is more: keep only the essentials. A comfortable bed with soft textiles and pillows in neutral tones, a raw wood armoire, simple night stands, and lightweight linen curtains to soften the light that enters the room.
Lighting also plays a key role. In addition to an overhead lighting fixture that emits a warm and welcoming glow, place small table lamps on the night stands and, of course, do not forget the candles to create an intimate and relaxing atmosphere.
Vintage-style details are essential here as well, evoking serenity and the slow passage of time, feelings that are crucial in a space dedicated to relaxation and reflecting on the day’s events. One option is a surface that mimics the traditional look of cement tiles, decorative yet understated, such as those in Panaria’s Memory Mood collection, especially in warmer tones.
To create the perfect personal retreat, envision a comfortable arm chair or a small love-seat filled with cushions in soothing colours and geometric patterns. Add a soft throw blanket and a rug beneath your feet for extra warmth and comfort. Curling up here with a good book is pure joy!
For an extra touch of style, try adding a small bookcase next to the love-seat, or a low table on which to place a hot cup of tea. A floor lamp that emits soft lighting can also help set the right atmosphere, while small plants and vintage accessories will make the space feel even cosier.
If space allows, a large built-in window seat or a bench with soft cushions could become the perfect spot to get lost in a book.
The living room is the heart of a Danish home. This is where friends get together to enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine. The hygge spirit is based on sharing, so it is essential to create an environment that encourages togetherness and makes everyone feel at home.
A hygge-style living room would not be complete without a large, comfortable sofa accompanied by inviting armchairs and warm blankets ready to keep you snug on chilly evenings. Add a plush rug for extra comfort underfoot and plenty of decorative cushions on which to sit an relax. If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace, light it whenever you can: nothing creates a warmer or more inviting atmosphere than a crackling flame casting a soft glow throughout the room.
Here too, lighting plays a key role: opt for lamps with dimmer switches that emit warm light, along with scented candles and string lights to add a magical and intimate feel to the room. You might also consider vintage-style lamps or those in natural materials like wood or rattan, for a delicate and organic look.
A piece of furniture in natural wood for the TV or a bookcase full of books can serve as a functional and aesthetically pleasing focal point. A nostalgic touch with vintage elements, like old trunks or clocks, can tie the whole look together, blending past and present in such a way that every corner is unique and feels authentically lived-in, also thanks to the addition of carefully framed personal photographs.
Finally, don’t forget to bring a bit of the outside into the living room: plants like pothos or ferns not only purify the air, but also add a touch of green that makes the space feel even more inviting.
The solution to creating a hygge-style home is about more than just design choices. It is about choosing a lifestyle that promotes well-being and happiness through simplicity and comfort.
Exploring Panaria’s range of products may inspire you to create spaces that are not just visually beautiful, but also comfortable and enjoyable to live in every day. Have fun looking for your next source of inspiration!
