5 reasons to renovate for hygge

What the hell is hygge?

Pronounced ‘Hoo-gah’, the Danish word has come to be synonymous with the English word ‘cozy.’ We think Lifestyle blog Love and Renovations truly capture the essence of hygge in this succinct quote:

“Hygge is the art of building a sanctuary and a haven in your home, connecting and spending time with your loved ones, slowing down to celebrate the little moments in every day, and creating feelings of warmth and happiness. It’s so much more than just a word. It’s a movement.”

Hygge = practical luxury

This idea through design is to create an atmosphere encouraging relaxation and warmth, which the Danish do through the use of natural materials and cozy lighting.

While the Danish buy more lamps than any other nation, it appears to be working; Denmark is consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries on earth.

How to bring hygge home

1. Fireplaces

Hygge has few hard and fast rules, but staying away from large, cold empty spaces is one of them. Get in touch with your Scandinavian side by installing a fireplace. The return on investment in togetherness and equity is more than worth it.

2. Bring the outside in

Another element is appreciating nature and everything it has to offer, especially the winter months! Renovating a porch to sunroom is the perfect example of incorporating the outdoors into your living space, and will send your heart soaring (in addition to the value of your home)

3. Open up

Companionship, friendship, and togetherness are all important aspects of hygge that can be nourished and flourish by augmenting your personal space. A bay window in a kitchen, for instance, can make a great spot for friends to gather casually while you work on dinner. Comfy rugs, cozy throw pillows, and you’ve got a reading nook or nature observatory for little ones.

4. Natural beauty

Oak everything is the perfect accent to a minimalist, hygge-inspired home. Wood accents can be used for everything from lighting to mantelpieces. If you’re feeling especially avant-garde for a North American, scattering a few different sized wooden cubes around the home for use as footstools or side tables is a great way to incorporate this and inspire conversation. Installing oak flooring will up your hygge factor substantially, as well as the resale value of your home.

5. Knock it off (or out)

Knocking out that divisive wall between family room, dining and kitchen is one of the largest bangs for your buck, renovation-wise, one can do to align their home with hygge and encourage togetherness. Enhancing your home with effortless flow and an open atmosphere is one of the best moves you can make!

Click here for current rates or contact us to kick your hygge into high gear today!