It's the most hyggelig time of the year!

For many people - including me - Christmas is a wonderful time, if not the most wonderful time of the year. However 'wonderful" is far from the only word used to describe Christmas. If you ask people of any nationality to describe Christmas in one word, adjectives like 'happy', 'cheerful', 'warm' and 'heartfelt' would probably surface. Danes would agree with a lot of these, 'but' - they would object' - 'the most fitting word is missing. You forgot hyggelig!'.

In Denmark, during winter time, the days are so short you will be lucky to catch only a glimpse of the sun. Riding your bike to and from work in the cold and wet and (often) in complete darkness, you begin to question why anybody ever thought settling in Denmark would be a good idea. Not that it is any different from living in the Netherlands or any other Northern country, if you ask me. Winters up here are harsh. Growing up in Austria I definitely am not used to such darkness and biting cold winters. This is something I will never get used to, I think.

However, as unlikely as it sounds, this is the season of hygge in Denmark. Danes simply will not let the weather or the laws of nature define their emotional well-being. Therefore, instead of going into hibernation - which definitely seems appealing on damp December mornings - Danes have decided to make the best of things. And, even though it is possible to hygge all year round, only once a year it is the ultimate goal of an entire month.

But what does hygge even mean?

Hygge is a danish word used to acknowledge a special feeling or moment. It can be alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary but is always cosy, charming or special. In essence, hygge means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with (or without) good people. The warm glow of candlelight is hygge. Cosying up with a loved one for a movie, or sharing comfort food with your closest friends – that’s hygge, too. There's nothing more hygge than sitting around with friends and family, discussing the big and small things in life. Perhaps hygge explains why the Danes are said to be the happiest people in the world.

And who would have thought - the high season of hygge is Christmas. Danish winters, as mentioned before, are known to be long and dark, and so the Danes fight the darkness with their best weapon: hygge, and the millions of candles that go with it.

But, how to hygge your home?

• First things first - use natural elements Thinking about the colder months there is not much green outdoors, which is why you should bring it inside to lighten and brighten your home. Wood is just another material that helps bring nature into your home for a cozier, happier feel. Wooden floors, furniture, or decor can help us feel closer to nature, which is a very important part of the hygge concept.
  

• Candles, candles and even more candles One of the first things that might come up to most peoples minds when thinking about hygge are candles, and for a good reason. The glow of candles creates the perfect atmosphere, lifting the spirits and casting warm light on a winter evening. Turning off artificial lights and opting for candles transforms any space into a cozier, more romantic, and more intimate place.
  

• Incorporate more natural light Beyond just candles, natural light in general is a huge factor of hygge. A hygge home draws in as much natural light as possible. Keep curtains open and position mirrors on walls across from windows to double the natural light in your home. If your space has few windows or it gets really dark during colder months, be strategic about lamps. Choose light bulbs with a more orange tint instead of blue light, and position lamps near the coziest areas of your home.
  

• Display your favorite books Taking a break with a good book is one of the mainstays of hygge, especially in fall and winter, when people are cooped up inside. Displaying all of your favorite classics or that stack you’ve been meaning to get to (you know the one) not only adds a cozy element to your home but will also inspire you to stay home and snuggle up with a good book. Why don't you try filling a shelf with gorgeous books or stack your favorites on coffee tables and side tables? Books have a special way of making a space feel more welcoming and lived-in (very hygge-appropriate).
  

• Create "the nook" Every hygge home needs that perfect place to curl up with a blanket and relax. In fact, there’s even a Danish word to explain this perfect little spot: hyggekrog, or - to put it in simplier words - a cozy corner. Think of it as your safe space where you can be at peace, read a book, and have a cup of tea or hot chocolate. To create your own hyggekrog, start with your comfiest chair or a favorite corner of your sofa, layer pillows and blankets to make your nook the coziest spot in your home, position it by a window or add a warm lamp for soft lighting, and add a side table for the perfect spot to put your favorite cup of tea. Et voilá - there it is, your personal little hyggekrog.
  

• Try a warm, neutral color palette By now, you probably get that hygge is all about warmth and making your home feel inviting and comforting instead of cool. Besides actual warm elements like candles and lighting, color scheme has a major effect on how hyggelig a home feels. But, cool tones or bright pops of color aren’t necessarily a no-go (the point is to evoke the feeling of home, however that feels to you). However, warm neutrals like creams and beiges tend to feel more relaxing and inviting than cool gray or dark black and feel less cluttered than bright colors.
  

• Texture matters too Yes, they do. The right tactiles are so important when it comes to hygge interiors, since the lifestyle is all about how you emotionally feel, which is represented by what you physically feel with your home decor. Aim for a variety of textures for a comforting and balanced feel in every room. Since it’s all about how you feel rather than just how it looks, think about what textures would feel best for you and add in a variety of elements: picture running your fingers run across a wooden table, being wrapped in a linen blanket, or stepping across a (fake) fur rug.
  

• Simplicity is the key Last but not least, remember that the hygge life is about ease, contentment, and comfort. If there’s a cluttered corner or a piece of furniture you don’t really love, you probably aren’t as content as possible when you’re enjoying your home. Only fill your space with the things that really make you happy and give away, or even donate whatever doesn’t help to create more simplicity. Hygge is not about extravagance but about taking pleasure in the sheer simplicity of your immediate surroundings.

What are your thoughts on hygge? How do you create a feeling of hygge for yourself? If you would like to share your own thoughts on that topic, please feel free to send your thoughts and comments to timeasdesign@gmail.com or via the comment section below.

"You know hygge when you feel it."