9 Simple Tips for Hygge Decor in Winter

These simple tips for hygge decor will have your home feeling cozy this winter in no time…

This cold, wintery day seems the perfect opportunity to talk “hygge”. Specifically, hygge decor.

What is hygge you may ask? Not only will we cover the definition of hygge, but we’ll also go over some other common questions about the topic, such as “how the heck do you pronounce hygge?”

And finally, you’ll learn 9 simple tips for creating cozy hygge decor in your own home.

First things first:

What is hygge?

Hygge isn’t necessarily a “thing”. It’s more a state of mind, a state of well being. But let me let the authorities give you a proper definition of hygge. I consulted google, and here’s what they tell us:

In my mind, hygge is that feeling I have sitting in my comfiest pjs at home in the winter. I’m curled into my favorite spot on the sofa, covered in our softest blanket, papoose-style. My hot coffee is next to me, as is a snuggly child.

I’m listening to the fire crackle, and jazz or classical music is playing lightly in the background. My most-loved candle fills the air with the scent of cedar and cinnamon, while the crockpot warms our favorite homemade soup for dinner.

At that moment, all is right in the world. I can just exhale, close my eyes and completely relax. In my mind, that is the epitome of hygge.

Correct pronunciation of “hygge”

Here’s what Alex of Hygge House says of the definition and hygge pronunciation,

And if hearing the word spoken is most helpful, here’s a 17-second video clip…

So now that you know what hygge is, and how to say it, it’s time to get your hygge decor going at home!

The great news is that creating an authentic, hygge aesthetic and feel at home doesn’t have to be hard. It involves a few key elements…most of which you may already own.

9 simple tips & elements of winter hygge decor

1. Cozy pjs (and socks)

Comfortable pajamas and cozy socks are kind of the pinnacle hygge products. Nothing feels more hygge than the rainy, snowy days where you can stay in your pjs all day, and not feel one single ounce of guilt about it. I got a new set of gorgeous linen PJs this Christmas from Serena & Lily…

Did you know they sold PJs? I didn’t either! But I can tell you, now that I have these gorgeous, luxurious pajamas you have to give me a really, REALLY good reason to take them off. I have a size medium in the Positano pjs…this color is “wildrose”.

They are made in Portugal, and the quality is outstanding. I’m 5’3″ and about 125 lbs. The medium is roomy, which is how I love my PJs to fit.

Paired with a great pair of socks (my current go-to’s are Bombas or anything super fuzzy or fleece-lined) and some old, reliable, broken-in slippers (my mother-in-law bought me this pair of UGGS this Christmas, and they already feel like I’ve had them for a decade…perfection).

2. Blankets for bundling

Blankets are a staple of a hygge home. And they have to be blankets you really want to bundle up with. No scratchy, uncomfortable blankets that you don’t absolutely adore.

The blanket above is a splurge that I have wanted for years. It’s a chunky, hand-woven throw from Peru made with unspun wool. This is one of those blankets you want to nestle into and stay in for a long, long while.

In the winter, make sure you stock a comfortable throw in every room that you want to hang out in for any length of time.

Bedrooms, living rooms, family rooms and basements/playrooms come to mind. But you can also have a basket with a blanket or two in less expected places, like the dining room.

Having a blanket stashed for you or a guest to pull out when needed is a great way to extend hospitality.

3. Fire

Have a fireplace? Then you’re in luck, because having a roaring fire in the fireplace is a key feature of a hygge home.

Be it wood-burning, gas, or even electric…seeing those dancing flames is a key to amping up the cozy factor.

If you don’t have a fireplace, don’t fret. As I type this, I’m sitting next to a little space heater that we bought for our camper renovations (see our Instagram highlight reel for all the details on that project!).

It looks like a little pot-bellied stove and costs well under $100. It has the look, and the feel of a burning fire without the chimney, wood, or gas. I love little electric fireplaces. We have a couple of very modern ones in our home.

There’s one in our basement, and below is one we installed in our master bedroom. That “chimney” or brick fireplace wall is faux.

You can read more about that project, and the “german smear” brick whitewashing technique here (it’s super easy and inexpensive to do).

4. Fairy lights

It’s always sad to take down all the Christmas lights at the end of the holiday season, right? Well, what if I told you that you should keep some hanging around? Fairy lights or the really small, white Christmas lights are perfect hygge decor!

Place some in a beautiful glass vase, or perhaps on a  rich, wood cake platter under a cloche dome. The twinkle will lift your spirits and warm up cold winter spaces at the flick of their little switch.

Pre-lit wintery twigs are also a fun, hygge home accessory to try.

5. Comfort food

Break out the crockpot or the instant pot this winter, and your favorite soup and stew recipes.

Warm comfort food that can cook all day and fill the house with savory scents are an easy way to make dinner AND improve your home’s winter hygge.

6. Icy metallics and shimmering silvers and golds

If you decorate with silver and golds over the holidays, consider leaving some key pieces out instead of packing them up for the season.

Metallic candle holders, dining room chargers, vases and lamps are a pretty way to add some shimmer and shine to your home in the winter.

And the light that bounces off metallics when caught in the glow of a fire, or near the flame of a candle, or even twinkle lights can be magical.

7. Greenery

Just because you had to put the Christmas tree out to pasture doesn’t mean you have to get rid of all the Christmas greenery.

Though I’ve taken down the rainbow tree you see above in our foyer, the greenery around the breakfast room pendant light seen behind me in the shot above remains. And there it will stay for at least the next month!

Garlands, evergreen wreaths (minus red accents and overly “Christmas-y” vibes are great to leave hanging throughout the winter season.

I like to “undress” little Christmas trees we have here and leave them naked for the winter months. You can see a little one by our bedside in the shot above. And another little naked tree standing there by the foot of the bed.

8. Plaids and wintery patterns

Certain patterns are warming because of that wintery aesthetic they bring to mind. Tartans and plaids are perhaps the best example.

In our kitchen, we have a DIY art wall that we made to house our household masterpieces. I like to change out the art each season, and below the gallery is a little bench which I deck out in plaid for the winter.

You can see that I don’t see any issue with mixing plaids. The more pattern, the better I say!

9. Candles

Last but not least, candles! Candles are perhaps the best, simplest, hygge decor element there is. Find some that you truly adore…don’t just grab a couple from the dollar spot on your next trip to Tar-jay.

I recently found two brands of candles I really, really love. The first I stumbled upon this summer during our trip to the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone.

A little boutique in Jackson, Wyoming carried this line of soy candles created for each of the national parks…

Good & Well Supply Co.

They are made by a small company based in Oregon called Good & Well Supply Co. The proprietor’s name is Megan, and she created these blends during her extensive travels through the parks.

They are amazing, and very nostalgic if you’ve traveled to some of these places.

Serena & Lily hand-poured candle line

The scents in this collection are beautiful…not too strong and very natural.

Do you ever notice that some of the really popular candle brands have scents that are really over the top? Just way too strong, and some are almost sickeningly sweet.

Neither of these brands are that way. So I will happily plunk down some extra money for candles that I love to have burning all winter long.

And that wraps it up! 9 simple tips for hygge decor this winter!

I hope that these hygge decor tips help make you even happier in your happy place this winter. Because when the weather is cold, loving our homes is more important than ever.

Go grab those PJs, comfy socks and a snuggle pal and get cozy!

Pin this hygge decor post for later! And if you make one, leave a comment (or better yet, a photo) on the pin! That helps others know whether they want to try this project, too!