Add Warmth in the Winter: Scandinavian Style Tips for the Coziest Season

In Tromsø, Norway, the sun doesn't rise at all this time of year. Although other parts of Scandinavian countries aren't quite that extreme, there is often just five or six hours of daylight in late December. Luckily, we Scandinavians know a thing or two about beating the winter blues. Central to this is creating a hygge atmosphere in the home, with lots of light and white, bright tones. Read on for simple ways to bring that cozy Scandinavian style to your home this winter.

Let Go of What You Don’t Need

Before you think about adding things to your home, first consider what you need to take away. Whether you’re consciously aware of it or not, visual clutter adds to our stress levels, while orderliness brings calm and serenity to your space. Scandinavians know all about the power of less—it’s the core of our design philosophy. If you’re too busy to do a top-to-toe clearout, start with the objects in your immediate eyeline, on surfaces such as your desk or bed.

Candles, Candles, Candles

The soft light and subtle scent of candles are a quintessential part of a hygge home, particularly in winter where they’re our secret weapon against long, dark nights. If you’re a true minimalist, stick with white unscented candles, but if you want to incorporate fragrance, try something wintry and warming. Our favorites include the Scandinavian forest scents of fir, cypress, and pine, or traditional gløgg spices like cinnamon and clove.

Bundle Up

Blankets and other fabrics are a big part of the hygge experience, particularly if they’re heavily textured. We’re talking wool knits—in fact, the trend in Scandinavia is for knitted blankets that are so chunky, they’re knitted with arms instead of needles. Linen is another dense, touchable fabric that will keep you warm on cold winter nights—it’s naturally thermo-regulating, making our organic linen duvet covers the perfect item to adorn your bed this time of year. The weight of the linen duvet cover adds warmth without heaviness, keeping you comfortable throughout the night. With prints and colors that beautifully suit this time of year, our Scandinavian duvet covers also help bring holiday festiveness to the bedroom, a room that sometimes misses out on holiday cheer.

Create Your Own Hyggekrog

All the elements of hygge come together in the hyggekrog, “a place in the room where you love to snuggle up in a blanket, with a book and a cup of tea,” says Meik Wiking in The Little Book of Hygge. To create your own hyggekrog, find a quiet corner of the house, position your favorite chair with its back to the wall, layer up with blankets and cushions, add a lamp or candles, and settle in.

Come Back to What Really Matters

For many of us, the holidays are a time of reflection. It’s a time to dial back the noise of modern life and reconnect with what’s truly important to you. If your home’s feeling a little cold, it might be lacking a personal touch; the most obvious solution is to invite some companions round for a glass of gløgg but if that’s not possible, hang some sentimental items instead. These could be treasured photographs, drawings or greetings cards that evoke a special memory in your life.

If you’d like to give your loved ones the gift of linen this holiday season, consider a Modern Dane gift card. Our modern duvet covers guarantee a comfortable night’s sleep free from allergens and harmful chemicals, ensuring your friends and family start the new year feeling rested and revitalized. And, of course, log on to Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, or Twitter and let us know how you’re making your home more hygge this winter.