“Hygge” is Scandinavian-style coziness, ease, conviviality with a warm glow.
A squooshy, faux fur bean bag chair satisfies several of the hygge trend’s characteristics, including comfort, warmth and softness.Search the term online and nearly 10 million results roll in. It’s being touted by this winter’s shelter magazines, decor retailers and lifestyle mavens.
What’s so huge? It’s hygge.
Often mispronounced “higgy,” it’s actually more like “hewgah.” To understand the term’s meaning, just burrow into a big comfy pile of phrases synonymous with “well-being.” Coziness, ease, conviviality and, above all, a warm glow.
According to author Meik Wiking in “The Little Book of Hygge: The Danish Way to Live Well” (Penguin 2016), hygge originated from a Norwegian word. The Danes appropriated the term to some extent, but it’s common throughout Scandinavia, as well as a good bit of the United Kingdom.
In the truest expression of hygge, the warm glow should come from a candle.