HYGGE AT HOME
Bring a touch of this cozy Scandinavian style to your American farmhouse.
Bring a touch of this cozy Scandinavian style
to your American farmhouse.
Wool rugs, vintage record players, watching the rain fall on a foggy morning—the Danish word “hygge” can mean all these things and more. Hygge loosely means “cozy” or “charming,” and is a deeply personal experience that is easy to incorporate into the farmhouse style. After all, what could be more warm and welcoming than the classic American farmhouse? In their book Hygge & West Home: Design for a Cozy Life, authors Christiana Coop and Aimee Lagos explore what hygge means for different designers and styles across the country. Here are a few ways you can add hygge to your own farmhouse.
INVITING WALLPAPERS
Wallpapering doesn’t necessarily mean covering all four walls from top to bottom; “it also emphasizes the beauty of everyday objects,” write Lagos and Coop. Try experimenting with various designs and cover up often-neglected areas such as the insides of cabinets or stairs. Most importantly, any wallpaper you choose should feel like a piece of art that tells your story. “Those patterns stick with you in a nostalgic way,” says Julie Backer, one of the featured designers, so choose a paper that is meaningful for you and your family.
BALANCING TEXTURES
Creating hygge is all about mixing and balancing different elements such as color and texture. Try mixing textures that make you feel safe and nostalgic. Decorating your home shouldn’t be difficult, but “use the things you love, and surprise yourself by mixing those things together,” says featured designer, Rod Hipskind. Create an airy ambience in public spaces like your living room to encourage gathering, but don’t neglect the bedrooms. They should be peaceful and inviting retreats.
HEIRLOOMS & MEMENTOS
“Beloved heirlooms can also make for a unique conversation starter,” write Lagos and Coop. Hold onto items that contain good memories—these could be knick-knacks from your travels or antiques your grandparents have passed down. “Nothing adds personality and character more than the things you love,” says Hipskind. Don’t focus too much on pieces that match your existing color scheme, but play around with more personal vintage or handcrafted items. Ultimately, hygge is whatever makes you feel comfortable and cozy, so be unapologetic in your choice of décor.
(above left) This natural look of wood furniture adds cozy warm tones while the colors of the rugs match the gentle pinks and lavenders of the fresh flowers, bringing a little taste of the outdoors to the dining room.
(above) Homeowner Isabelle Dahlin splurged on these ornate and colorful tiles to make a statement in her kitchen. Additionally, she painted the cabinets to bring balance and added the wood countertops for their warm, earthy tones.