Simple Ways to Create Hygge in Your Home This Fall

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Have your heard the word hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) before? It is a Danish/Scandinavian word meaning to create an environment of comfort and coziness that brings a feeling of contentment or well-being. I first heard this word last year and after learning the meaning of it, I realized how much that is what I strived to create in my home. I believe our homes should be our sanctuaries… a place where we can relax and feel our best. We have lived in our house 8 years and I feel like it took me a long time to achieve this. I have discovered a few things that I feel have allowed me to create a feeling of “hygge” in our home.

Diffusers

Our sense of smell is so important in the way we feel and function. Different scents can affect our mood and our energy levels. For example, lavender or cedarwood can be calming, lemon or lime may ease your stress, and peppermint can increase your energy/productivity. I could go on and on. I believe that it is so important to bring scents into our home to promote our well-being. Most candles can be toxic, however, diffusing therapeutic grade essential oils can provide you with the same scents as candles without exposing you or your family to toxic chemicals.

Himalayan Salt Lamps

It has been said that Himalayan salt lamps can improve air quality, boost your mood, and improve sleep, however, these claims have not been proven by science. Nevertheless, I jumped on the Himalayan salt lamp bandwagon several years ago and have not looked back. Even if they do not actually produce these claims, I still enjoy having them in our home. We have them in our living room and in each bedroom. They emit a nice warm glow in the evenings creating a beautiful ambiance. This also limits our exposure to bright lights in the evening which can inhibit sleep. In our kids’ rooms, we use Himalayan salt lamp nightlights.

Plants

I don’t have much of a green thumb and tend to struggle to keep plants alive. However, I will never not have live plants in our home. They not only add to the décor in our home but certain plants have been proven to improve air quality and provide health benefits. According to researchers at Kansas State University (Go Wildcats!), having plants in hospital rooms sped up recovery rates. They found that patients that had plants in their rooms had lower heart rates and blood pressure, experienced less anxiety and fatigue, requested less pain medication and were released from the hospital sooner. That is amazing! On top of that, plants can remove toxins from the air, including VOCs. Some of the best plants for indoor use include the philodendron and the snake plant, both of which we have in our home.

Blankets & Pillows

This is a very simple and common decorating technique. By adding cozy throws to your seating or beds in your home, it can lend to a more inviting and relaxing atmosphere. It is such a simple way to add texture and provide function, especially during the colder months.

Books

In today’s society, we spend so much more time looking at screens versus opening a book. Screens can be so addictive and they tend to add stress to our lives instead of promoting relaxation. Reading real books for a few minutes each day can actually reduce your anxiety or stress better than listening to music, going for a walk or drinking a cup of tea. A few steps that you can take to encourage yourself or your family to read more include; placing more books around your home that you want to read or have enjoyed in the past, create a nook that is cozy and inviting, and/or limit your screen time at night.

Vintage Finds

There is something about bringing old, loved items into your home that adds so much charm and character. Old items that have a story can invoke a feeling of nostalgia like no other. We have a large antique store near where we live and I love visiting there and just strolling the aisles for inspiration for our home. I have found so many little treasures that add so much to our home décor and bring me so much joy.

These are all simple, inexpensive ways to create a home that you love. I hope you found it helpful. Tell me, does your home have hygge?