What is the true meaning of ‘hygge’, and how can this Scandinavian lifestyle concept enrich your home, enhance your wellbeing and change your outlook on life?
‘Hygge’ is a word many of us have come to associate with warm and welcoming Scandinavian interiors. However, research suggests the word originated from old Norwegian languages and roughly translated as ‘wellbeing’ at the time. It wasn’t until the 18th century that the word appeared in Danish writing and was adopted into general society.
Alexander House by Alexander &CO | Photography by Anson Smart
How to pronounce ‘hygge’
Pronounced ‘hoo-ga’, hygge is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as ‘a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or wellbeing’. Hygge wasn’t a widely known concept until 2016 when it gained traction in the cultural zeitgeist as a lifestyle craze, a rise to stardom so impressive that the term earned a place in the Collin's Dictionary Top 10 Words that year.
Casa Ter by Enlightened Living | Photography by Salva Lopez
What does ‘hygge’ mean?
The true meaning of hygge as it was originally conceived is almost impossible to translate into English terms, and only aspects of its connotations are captured in the idea of ‘comfort’. In fact, ‘hygge’ isn’t even the only word from the Norwegian language used to describe the lifestyle concept we’ve come to associate with it. Research suggests the adjective ‘koselig’ is another Norwegian concept that encompasses nature, companionship and cosiness to promote personal wellbeing. Pronounced ‘koosh-lee’, koselig shares the same ideas of beauty, warmth, emotional closeness, feelings of solidarity and relaxation from work as Hygge.
If ‘hygge’ is such a difficult concept to define, how are we to understand it enough to apply the concept to our homes? The key, perhaps, is in understanding the place from whence it came.
Mendi Argia by Enlightened Living | Photography by Mari Luz Vidal
Where did ‘hygge’ come from?
The long, harsh and dark Scandinavian winters have forced those who live there to spend extended time indoors, to build close relationships and to strengthen their communities to work together towards common goals, and to be more preoccupied with creating comfortable and cosy homes.
In his report, Translating Culture: Exploring kos/hygge, Danish anthropologist Jeppe Trolle Linnet explains that the Danes are extremely focused on the home. “People meet more at home here in Scandinavia than in other parts of the world. Homes are thus essential when it comes to understanding kos/hygge, as they are the most common setting for experiencing an intimate form of socialisation. By spending time with family and friends in a welcoming environment, people experience closeness and learn to appreciate balance and moderation," writes Jeppe.
Great Ocean Road Residence by Rob Mills Architecture | Photography by Mark Roper
Jeppe, who holds a PhD in consumer culture and hygge, further describes ‘hygge’ as the experience of taking particular pleasure in the ease of a moment that allows one to be ‘as one is’. In another essay, A Definition of Hygge: an atmosphere that allows dwelling, he writes, “It is an enjoyment of the here and now that stems both from one's style of interacting with other people, and from the atmosphere of the physical place."
Linnet goes on to describe the characteristics of a hygge experience as safety, familiarity and comfort – devoid of intensity or glamour. “A hygge encounter with other people has a degree of intimacy which is always closer and more personal than it might have been, but never invasive of anyone's personal space or boundaries. Absent are unpleasant challenges, or anything that is demanding. Hygge hereby offers a contrast to stressful, competitive and utilitarian aspects of life," writes Jeppe.
It’s only natural, then, that the western world has adopted the idea so thoroughly.
Spotted Gum House by Alexander & Co | Photography by Anson Smart
What is a hygge home?
On a practical and visual level, the application of hygge to one’s home requires the purposeful creation of a calm, soothing, warm and welcoming environment free from judgement and responsibility. The space should be intimate while never encroaching upon anyone’s personal space, it should be pared-back and free from overt glamour or dressage. A hygge home is one that fosters connection and communication.
Therefore, it stands to reason that concepts of ‘hygge’ and ‘koselig’ play into similar interior design schemes as wabi-sabi; embracing the beauty of raw and natural materials, showcasing the character of flaws and imperfections, and furnishing a space with items that provide comfort, relaxation and joy. It’s a concept that celebrates elevated essentials.
In his book, Consumption and Everyday Life, Hugh Mackay describes hygge in terms of aesthetics. “If we keep to the furnishings, a cosy home has a wealth of textiles, potted plants, souvenirs, paintings and photographs.”
