Have you heard of hygge? You’ve probably seen it all over Instagram and Pinterest, heard friends mention it, or spotted a shelf of books promising to teach you the Danish art of cosy living. Whether you love the idea or find it a bit overblown, hygge isn’t going anywhere. Here are two very different takes on it — one for, one against — plus the question every busy parent really wants answered: can you actually bring this way of life into a house full of kids?
If the whole hygge phenomenon has somehow passed you by, here’s the short version: hygge (pronounced hoo-geh) comes from Denmark and it’s all about taking pleasure in small, ordinary moments that feel special or meaningful — being cosy with your family, lighting a candle, making a coffee and actually enjoying it with a friend. It’s about creating contentment and keeping things simple.
The Case Against Hygge
“Hygge is a classic example of people falling for a load of marketing fluff” by Andrew Brookes, journalist
If you listen carefully you’ll hear the sound of a bandwagon creaking under the pressure. It’s the hygge bandwagon, and someone really needs to pop its tyres and end this nonsense now.
It’s a classic example of people falling for a load of marketing fluff. And in some respects you have to take your hat off to the people peddling books about this: they’ve clearly landed on a clever money-spinner.
It’s dubious whether, for a start, we should allow ourselves to get caught up in a trend that most people in this country can’t pronounce or define. A word that looks and sounds exotic is a convenient cover for the banality that lies underneath.
Read any of the countless articles, blogs or columns about hygge and you’ll see that most settle for the imperfect translation into English of ‘cosiness’. That’s not quite right. It’s really about a calm togetherness and the enjoyment of simple pleasures.
But ‘calm’ and ‘simple’ aren’t particularly commercial, and ‘cosiness’ is elastic enough to be used and abused by brands who have pound signs in their eyes. For them, cosy means that you need to buy candles, coffee tables, blankets, cushions and all manner of tat in order to embrace the hygge feeling.
It’s the perfect craze for people needing to flog overpriced soft furnishings and chintzy dross. If you want all of that in your house, you shouldn’t be allowed to hide behind a Danish word to justify your crimes against interior design.
Even if you accept the commercial definition, it doesn’t make it any better. One man’s cosy is another man’s clutter. Do you really want your room crammed up to the eyeballs with cushions and candles? Surely this is a hazard if you’re surrounded by little ones too? And if you’re in the process of selling your home, then de-cluttering is the way to go.
This is all about being:
- smug — “look at me and all my great possessions”
- lazy — “I’m just going to stay here under this blanket”, and
- anti-social — “I’m not coming out, I’m fine at home with my nice stuff”.
Hygge is a Danish import, and that probably helps it gain kudos in some quarters. We liked the pastries, the knitwear-clad TV detectives and Sandi Toksvig, so why not the lifestyle too? Except, do we really want to live like we’re actually in Denmark? It’s cold and dark for months on end. If the ‘hygge’ life were so amazing, then why aren’t the Danes a little happier with their lot?
Andrew
You might also enjoy reading: Why Decluttering Is Good For Your Mind
The Case For Hygge
“Let’s not begrudge a little hygge-ish cheer” by Flora McCormick, lifestyle blogger
It’s easy to feel like the news cycle these days is one long low note — divided debates, hard headlines, more bad news than good. So why would anyone begrudge us a hygge-ish glimmer of comfort, whatever winter we’re in?
Sure, hygge has been weighed, wrapped and delivered to us from every possible angle. But is it really as bad as some people like to make out? I don’t think so.
At its core, hygge is a way of living. For all that I love those fluffy pillows, flickering candles and super-soft socks, it’s not about stuff. What better sentiment to teach our children? You’re able to enjoy life for its simpler pleasures rather than focusing on things that distract you from what truly matters.
Instead, hygge is about seeing the world in a particular way. It’s about sharing experiences, coming together, and taking time out to reflect and recharge. It’s about savouring the moment, taking pleasure from the little things, and spending our precious free time with our nearest and dearest.
At its core, hygge is a walk for the joy of walking, or reading a favourite story to our sons and daughters and loving every minute of it. It’s about buying coffee for a friend so you can spend some proper time together, or hunkering down to watch a movie as a family.
The little things.
Ultimately, it’s about knowing when to retreat to care for yourself as an individual, then radiating that warmth outwards to contribute to a more caring community overall.
So what could possibly be so wrong with buying yourself a knitted throw to curl up beneath after a hard week? Why should you be made to feel guilty for treating yourself to a scented candle or a string of fairy lights the kids would love? Hygge couldn’t be further from clutter and excess — in fact, the Danes are renowned for their minimalist, functional homes.
Denmark and its Nordic neighbours also consistently rank among the happiest countries in the world in international surveys, despite months of long, dark winters. Which begs the question: couldn’t we learn a thing or two from the way Danes value their homes and their happiness?
Instead, let’s take the time to be kind to ourselves and each other, foster a culture of togetherness, and know when to take a bit of time out for ourselves. Get your hygge on with a tray of cinnamon pastries for the office and a bubbly bath for yourself, and you’ll find that the world doesn’t seem like such a bad place after all.
So will I be jumping on the hygge bandwagon? You bet I will. And there’s a space for you too, if you fancy joining me for a walk in the forest, a roast dinner and a glass of wine beside the fire…
Flora
You might also enjoy reading: How to Be a Better Parent & Look After Yourself for the Kids’ Sake
Where do you stand on the matter? Is hygge a load of marketing fluff, or a glimmer of comfort worth embracing? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hygge actually mean?
Hygge is a Danish concept, pronounced hoo-geh, that doesn’t translate neatly into English. It’s often shortened to “cosiness,” but it’s really about calm togetherness and taking real pleasure in simple, ordinary moments — a candle lit, a coffee shared, a family evening in.
Do I need to buy things to enjoy hygge?
No. While candles, blankets and soft lighting are often associated with hygge, the concept itself is about mindset and connection rather than possessions. You can practise it through a walk, a shared story, or a slow evening together without spending anything at all.
Can hygge work in a house full of kids?
Yes — arguably it’s easier with children, not harder. Reading together, cooking something simple, watching a family film, or just being cosy on the sofa are all hygge moments in themselves. It’s less about a perfectly styled room and more about slowing down together.
Where does the idea of hygge come from?
It comes from Denmark, where it’s a long-standing part of everyday culture rather than a new trend. It became widely known outside Denmark in the mid-2010s through a wave of lifestyle books and social media interest.
Related Reads
- Why Decluttering Is Good For Your Mind
- 50 Best Family Movies of All Time
- How to Be a Better Parent & Look After Yourself for the Kids’ Sake
Fancy More Family Life Ideas?
Looking for more ways to bring a little calm into family life? Browse our family life hub for more ideas you can dip into any time, or save this article to come back to next time you fancy a hygge-ish evening in.
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