• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Harmony Realty

Put Down Some Roots

  • Search Homes
    • Client Login
    • Advanced Search
    • 55+ Homes
    • Best Neighborhoods
    • Search By Town or County
    • Search By Property Type
    • Raleigh Homes For Sale
    • Homes for Sale in Cary NC
    • Durham Homes for Sale
    • Triangle Area Open Houses
  • City Guides
  • Resources
    • Buyer Resources
    • Seller Resources
    • 55+ / Retirement
    • Best Neighborhoods
    • Articles
    • Market Reports
    • Videos
    • Triangle Area Open Houses
    • Urban Farming
  • About
  • Contact
  • Newsletter
  • 919-725-1885
You are here: Home / Living in Your Home / Cheerful Winter Decorating Using Danish Hygge

Cheerful Winter Decorating Using Danish Hygge

by Ellen Pitts

As we approach the cool winter months and the skies have a more frequent hue of grey, it’s a great time to implement some new home decor that embraces the season. I’m not talking about Christmas, or Chanukah. I’m talking about Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah). 

The Danes, apparently the happiest people in the world, have got this winter thing down. And we can learn a few things from their tradition of Hygge. While I haven’t been able to put my finger on an exact definition, I like this one from Hyggehouse.com

“Some also refer to hygge as an “art of creating intimacy” (either with yourself, friends and your home). While there’s no one English word to describe hygge, several can be used interchangeably to describe the idea of hygge such as cosiness, charm, happiness, ‘contentness’, security, familiarity, comfort, reassurance, kinship, and simpleness.”

Warm Lighting

We’re going to use that coziness to inform some winter time decorating to make our homes full of warmth and love. No matter how cold and dreary it gets our homes will be warm, welcoming and filled with comfort.

hygge
Image Credit: Shutterfly

Because a Hygge home is cozy, bringing low lighting through fireplaces or other means is a common theme. Reusing your Christmas lights, twined through earthy ball lanterns will give your home a warm glow while bringing in elements from the outdoors: another hygge theme.

Spa Retreat in Cary offers a full line of Paddywax candles, an excellent option for bringing both scent and warm lighting into your home. Candles are available in the store only.

Texture

Another principal of hygge is to use soft, cozy textures. This can (and should) be accomplished through plenty of soft blankets and warm, snuggly sweaters, but why stop there? You can use homey textures like these sweater cozy’s for your fireplace mantel.

hygge

Image Courtesy HGTV.com

That's Too Cute apex, nc

Image courtesy of That’s Too Cute Boutique, Cary

All kinds of sweaters, cozy socks and other wearables can be found at That’s Too Cute Boutique in Cary. If you are looking for custom made coziness such as blankets or decor items, Sew What With Jennifer can customize whatever you like!

All the Senses

Another hygge principal is to appeal to the senses. That is accomplished through the crackling of the fire, the soft touch of the cozy fabrics, but why not add another layer to the sensory melange and diffuse some essential oils? 

I have a particular blend, custom designed by my friend Shannon at Petrichor Apothecary. It is spicy and warm and my family has come to associate the scent with our home. It’s definitely very hygge!

Petrichor Apothecary’s products are now featured in AromaBox, a subscription box of aromatherapy, skincare and lifestyle products.

hygge

Image Courtesy Keeper of the Home

Take it Outdoors​​​​

hygge

Image Courtesy of Country Living

Even though it’s cold outside, hygge isn’t limited to the indoors. Spice up your front porch with these cheerful bottles, again reusing your holiday lights. And if you happen to have a front porch swing or rocking chairs, bring a chunky wool blanket and cup of hot tea to enjoy the fresh air. 

The Perfect Piece in Cary is a great place to find unique house wares for both indoors and out. For a large variety of premium quality loose leaf teas, check out Tin Roof Teas in Raleigh.

Don’t Forget the Dining Room

Don’t forget to include your warm fabrics into your dining room decor. You can use chair covers to bring warmth and soften the glare of polished wood in the winter time.

hygge

Image Courtesy of BHG.com

If you want to learn more about hygge, check out this video from Refinery21. Or get popular primer on Hygge, The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living

You’ll find more decorating inspiration at the following blog posts:

How to Turn Your House into a Home from ImmoAfrica.net

How to Reupholster Dining Room Chairs by Eileene Anderson

2018 Decorating Trends by Karen Highland

10 Ways to Add Instant Curb Appeal to Your Home by Sharon Paxson

How to Remove Wallpaper by Bill Gassett

Bring warmth to your home with scents and good food Lynn Pineda

Sharing is Caring! If you enjoyed this article, please share it with you friends!

sell your home

Filed Under: Living in Your Home

Footer

919-725-1885
ellen@harmonyrealtytriangle.com

Harmony Realty
an affiliate of Keller Williams Raleigh
Each office independently owned and operated.

4700 Homewood Ct Suite 200, Raleigh, NC 27609

Privacy Policy here.

Keller Williams Logo

Copyright © 2025 · Infinity Pro on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in