Winter is the perfect season to turn your living space into a hygge haven with elements inspired by Danish culture.

Have you heard of hygge? We’re sure you have, as it’s seen a huge surge in popularity over the last few years. But in case you’ve missed it, hygge is a Danish word that isn’t really translatable to English. Roughly translating as ‘cosiness’, it isn’t a thing, exactly, but more of a feeling or an experience. 

Pronounced ‘hoo-gah’ in English, hygge stems from Old Norse, and it can be a noun, a verb, or an adjective. Meik Wiking, CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen and author of the best-selling book The Little Book of Hygge, says that hygge is “the overlooked ingredient in the recipe for Danish happiness”.

For two years running, Denmark has come in second only to Finland in the World Happiness Report, so it seems like hygge really could play a part in becoming happier!

It’s not just Danes who can experience hygge, though. Have you ever lost yourself in a good book whilst curled up in front of the fire? Or have you enjoyed a cosy candle-lit dinner with a loved one? Sipped on coffee whilst catching up with good friends? If you’ve answered yes to any of these questions, then you’ve enjoyed hygge without even knowing it!

It’s all about the feelings of warmth and contentment you experience during such activities, and the enjoyment of simple pleasures. As the temperatures drop, the days grow shorter, and we continue to spend more time indoors, there’s never been a better time to adopt this Scandi-inspired philosophy — read on for ten ways to bring hygge into your home this winter.