What is Hygge? Hygge in Design

Long before ‘Hygge’ became an international phenomenon, I was fortunate to experience hygge back in 1995-96 when I was an exchange student in Denmark. I remember my parents not being too sure about me heading off to the other side of the world for a year, with a family I had never met! (and now that I have my own children, I don’t blame them!) But my interest didn’t subside, I was determined to travel. It wasn’t a cheap exercise- Dad said in an almost passing comment, that if I could save $7k, I could go. And so like any other stubborn teenager, I was determined to do it. I worked several jobs and babysat most weekends and proudly handed over my savings to Mum and Dad when I was 15. A year later off I went, flying from Albury, enthusiastic and totally naive, with no idea of what lay ahead of me. It was the best experience of my life and certainly shaped me in so many ways. I had a wonderful family and amazing school friends, all whom I still see and speak to frequently. They helped me learn crazy potato in your mouth Danish & I soaked up every bit of ‘Hygge’ I could. I was riding my bike, lighting candles, eating rye bread, learning to drink beer & immersing myself in all the goodness the Danish culture and lifestyle offers. It certainly wasn’t always easy and fun- Danish is a difficult language to learn and the Danes are so good at English, that it was sometimes just easier to converse in English and not push through the language barrier. I vividly remember falling asleep after school, buggered from trying to understand as much as I could in class. (I also remember that a beer or two helped my confidence and the words seemed to flow out a lot better!). I certainly missed my Aussie family and friends, but the resilience, independence and cultural education will be with me forever.

Despite the cold & dreary weather (lots of snow, including Christmas which I was very lucky to score), I fell in love with little Denmark- in love with its people, their values, lifestyle and design DNA. I was welcomed with open arms and experienced how Danish homes were central to their way of living and their social life.

In many of the beautiful homes I visited, they all looked slightly different in a Danish kind of way, but when walking into a home, they all had the exact same feeling, a feeling that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Considered floor planning and design was evident (open plan living wasn’t a thing, each space had a dedicated use, but also had flexibility to change over time).

Was it the ample windows to maximise natural light during those long winters? The deep windowsills filled with plants to bring the outside in? Was it their use of wood and texture in everything from floorboards to wooden toys and dining chairs? Or maybe it was their love of ceramics and meaningful vintage items? There I was, sitting in a cosy nook near the fireplace, surrounded by candles, books, blankets and enjoying lifes’ simple pleasures with my new friends- quite simply, I was in a state of absolute bliss and happiness.

These vivid experiences and feelings of hygge have never left me, and after 25 years, hygge is now in a sense, part of my DNA and in particular, my design DNA. Hygge is intertwined into our happy home and like the Danes, we too cherish simple everyday moments in our home. I often hear the kids comment on our moments around our fireplace or at our candlelit dining table, saying ‘oh Mum, this is very hygge!’. I want our home to look beautiful, but more importantly, I want it to feel hyggeligt- welcoming our loved ones in a happy and cosy space, where they can relax and openly be themselves, sharing stories and laughter over good food and wine.

Since that very first year of living in Denmark, I’ve been fortunate to visit almost every year since and gained a deeper understanding of hygge and Danish design. This has included returning to study at the Copenhagen Business School and one amazing house swap adventure with my own little family to Copenhagen. It pushed us all out of our comfort zones- the kids amazed us going to a new school; making new friends; learning a little Danish; riding their bikes 5km each way to school and ultimately, embracing hygge at every chance we had. It really was the best thing we have done as a family and I’d do it again in a heart beat.