Hygge (pronounced “hooga”) is the Danish term for the sense of cozy comfort people create for themselves, friends, and family in the home.
Think soft blankets, flickering candlelight, natural textures, the warmth of a fire and a steaming mug of soup. Welcome, fall. Those simple pleasures are endlessly inspiring.
Hygge isn’t only about staying indoors by a fire. It’s also about stepping outside and letting nature lift your spirits — a walk through a park, a stroll in the woods, or a bracing walk along the coast.
I find the coast to be a particularly hygge-friendly destination. The ocean near where I live in the Pacific Northwest offers a different kind of beach experience than you might find in warmer regions. Our shoreline is often cool and blustery; instead of swimsuits, most beachgoers wear jeans and windbreakers.
When we stay overnight by the sea, we prefer a beach house or hotel where we can curl up by the fire in the evening. If a storm rolls in, all the better — there’s something wonderfully comforting about being warm and sheltered while the wind and waves put on a show.
Cozy inside, stormy outside. What could be more Hygge?
As I putter around the house each fall, I often imagine living in a snug seaside cottage. Outside, storms might rage, winds howl, and waves crash — yet inside I’m warm, safe, and comfortable. That feeling is pure hygge to me.
Yes, I’m a daydreamer and a putterer.
Are you?
Living in Seattle gives us many gray days and a generous amount of fall and winter rain, balanced with bright sunlight at times. Hygge resonates here because it helps make darker days feel welcoming and calm.
Although we live in a city, nature is very close. From our windows we can see a lovely backyard forest and the snow-capped Olympic Mountains beyond the saltwater of Puget Sound. Those views shape how I feel about home and influence how we decorate for the seasons.
Where you live affects how your home looks and feels too. Your surroundings, memories, and personal tastes are the best guides when creating a cozy, inviting home. You don’t need to copy anyone else’s style — you can make your space authentically yours.
Years ago I wrote about how surroundings influence home design when I shared our family’s northwest beach house and ideas for reflecting the landscape in your decor.
You might live on the East Coast, in the South, in the mountains, a city apartment, or a beach house. Wherever you are, you can create a cozier home in ways that suit your life and environment.
Trust your creativity: draw from local landscapes, family memories, and personal preferences. Those influences will make your home welcoming and true to you in every season.
I’d love to hear more about you and your home.
Tell me where you live and how that place influences how you decorate for fall.
If you want to nurture well-being in mind, body, and spirit at home, my book Dwelling offers ideas for creating a place where you feel your best this season.
Earlier posts on fall nesting and a full series of related ideas are available on the blog.
Did you join the Inspired Room Community? It’s a welcoming place for people who love making their homes comfortable and beautiful.
PS. One of my favorite coastal stores is currently running a Friends and Family sale with 20% off select items. I’ve shared some favorite picks from the sale in a roundup on the blog.
Shop seasonal favorites and find cozy pieces that help bring hygge into your home.