Was Hygge Just a Buzzword?

Winter 2018 Interior Design Trends

Hygge (“hue”-“guh”): A Danish word used to describe a feeling or a moment, a quality of cosiness that gives the feeling of well-being.

Hygge was all the rage a couple of years back and maybe it has quietened down now, with the hashtagging populous moving on to another instagrammable trend.

However, I feel hygge’s impact on our nation’s interior design sensibilities has been long-lasting. Much like the Vikings before, the hygge Danes have infiltrated the very essence of our culture, TV-watching habits, tea-making choices and even the outfit you choose to wear (ok, I think these hygge Danes are little less blood-thirsty than Vikings).

Autumn is the time when we start to move indoors, preparing for the winter to come. We can hardly complain over here in the UK – those poor Danes face far worse winters than us, but still remain the world’s happiest people (no seriously, there was a report into it and everything).

Yet, the prospect of a hygge-full (sorry, I think I just made that word up) winter keeps us chipper, perhaps even looking forward to the sound of icy rain beating on the window.

The purists (including much of Denmark too by now) feel hygge has been appropriated to sell cushions, blankets, sweaters and other comfort-inspiring home wear. The fact is, they’ve got a point, but if it makes winter bearable, a time when people’s mental health can be affected simply by the lack of sunshine, surely, it’s a good thing.

So, we ask ourselves, as a knowledgeable 2018 human being, was hygge just a buzzword or did it mean something more? Is it possible, once the hashtags have been forgotten and the cultures of other countries are being appropriated instead, that hygge remains a spark in the home-making public’s consciousness?

Viva La Neutrals

Neutral, pastel tones are a hallmark of hygge, and Winter 2018 will be full of them. The simplicity of these colours, with the focus being allowed to move to the natural feature of a room, such as exposed wooden beams or the fireplace, allows a sense of calm and simplicity.

Vintage Scandi-Chic

Phew, I barely caught up with the Scandi-Chic movement, but now it’s gone vintage! Embodying the 1950’s style of Scandinavian furniture, simple designs with vibrant pops of colour and making for a deliciously homely atmosphere, it seems vintage Scandi-Chic has stepped hygge up a gear!

Woodland Retreat styles

Think oak, (faux) fur, traditional fireplaces and cast-iron stoves, large knits and oversized coats. It’s a fresh take on the country-retreat lifestyle, and a lot more relaxed!

White Wooden Blinds

A beautiful set of white or off-white wooden venetian blinds are the perfect addition to your hygge-home. Block out the winter months when they’re doing their worst and let sunlight stream in during a lull in the storms. Faux wood is a superbly affordable way to change the feel of your room with just one addition.

What’s more, the lateral lines and adjustable heights give your room the Scandi-Chic look that everyone wants this season.

They are hands-down our most popular colour of wooden and faux wooden venetian blinds, so take a look and get ahead of the trend now.