Craving sanctuary in the midst of chaos? Then you’re ready to make like the Danes and create your own cozy hygge home. The ultimate antidote to our breakneck world, this design concept — and all the inviting spaces, soft textures, and decor choices therein — are a soothing salve for the modern hustle n’ bustle.

Taking a cue, this blog will help you unlock the essence of hygge and create a truly relaxed and restorative home base. From nourishing neutrals to high-quality natural fibers, keep reading for five tips to create a cozy hygge aesthetic. Plus, examples suited for different areas and environments.

What is Hygge?

Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is more than just a Danish word describing coziness, contentment, and well-being; It’s an intentional way of living that encourages one to slow down, savour the simple pleasures of life, and cultivate comfort by embracing moments of warmth, intimacy, and togetherness.

Picture soft blankets, flickering candlelight, and the warmth of a hot cup of tea on a chilly evening. That’s the epitome of hygge.

You see, the hygge environment is effortlessly relaxed. There is no pretense or performance — just a gentle, soothing invitation to find solace in the little things.

Hygge Decorating in 2024

While the term first immigrated to our awareness a while back (even making Oxford Dictionary’s Word of the Year shortlist in 2016) hygge isn’t just a fad. It’s an invitation to step back from our stressful, jam-packed lives, and find more time to unwind and enjoy.

So if you resolved to take care of your mental and physical health this year, crafting a cozy hygge aesthetic can help. This intentional approach to home design is a powerful tool for self-care, providing respite from the hectic.

Sound good? Let’s go over five tips to help you start your at-home hygge journey.

How to Create a Hygge Home Aesthetic: 5 Easy Tips

1. Keep Minimalist Principles in Mind

To infuse your space with a warm and inviting hygge aesthetic, the first step is to strip away excess. By opting for a pared-down approach, you can truly focus in on what matters and what speaks to the soul.

So, start by decluttering and removing visual noise. The beauty of negative space will help your environment breathe and convey that serenity.

Of course, this step might not be so easy if you have a lot of stuff. But there are tons of tools you can use to organize along the way. For example, tasteful storage containers can help you group tidy up and tuck away various items. Uitiize wicker baskets, or our Collapsible Felt Baskets, which score points for being easy to stow away when not in use.

When it comes to the bedroom, our Bedside Felt Pockets are a great multipurpose place to keep those charging cords, devices, and other nightly essentials in arm's reach. To streamline and camouflage anything tucked away underneath, a bedskirt can do just the trick!

The bottom line is, you want to showcase only the items that bring joy and purpose to your surroundings without overwhelming the space. Your interior should set your mind at ease, after all.

2. Choose a Neutral Palette

In the pursuit of a cozy hygge haven, opting for neutral tones will help you effortlessly conjure feelings of simplicity and warmth. From soft whites and muted greys to warm beiges and subdued browns, these innately comforting, crowd-pleasing hues create a serene backdrop that instantly invites relaxation.

Beyond painting your walls, a fool-proof way to add neutrals (and comfort) to a room is through your choice of linens and layers. For example, our Signature Vintage Washed European Linen Duvet Cover and its natural sandstone shade instantly calms the senses — especially since you’ve already decluttered and made these welcoming bed threads the star.

Similarly, the soothingly tactile tufts and buff tones that make up our Sonrisa Duvet Cover provide the perfect comforting canvas.

Looking for a little more character? Our new Raina Duvet Cover features a floral medallion design in a contemporary neutral palette of grey, navy, and muted blush. You can also check out our Spring Summer Trends page for more inspo.

We’ll return to the topic of layers (and layering) in a moment. But for now, notice that all the above are crafted from natural, breathable fibers — a crucial component to achieving the hygge home aesthetic.

3. Incorporate Natural Fibers

Remember: hygge = comfortable simplicity, and the absence of worry and performance. That’s why choosing natural fibers for your home decor is a great way to achieve that perfect marriage of form, function, and effortlessness.

Linen in particular, with its earthy texture, effortless stylishness, and excellent breathability, resonates with the core principles of hygge. The fabric’s woven, relaxed finish only gets softer wash after wash, standing the test of time and epitomizing carefree, lasting comfort.

QE Home’s  Signature Vintage Washed European Linen line is a great place to start. Along with the Duvet Cover mentioned earlier, you can enrobe your entire bed with linen’s understated elegance with our Signature Vintage Washed Duvet European Linen Fitted Sheet and Flat Sheet.

For luxurious, long-staple cotton pieces designed to stand the test of time, check out our Portugal Reserve line. For the warmer seasons, the Muslin Gauze Blanket in Natural offers a harmonious blend of beauty and functionality you can layer into any living space.

Feeling more budget-conscious? Our Organic Cotton line of bedding might be more your speed. Learn more about this sustainable superstar here.

Of course, we’ve talked a lot about bedding (it’s kind of our thing). But don’t forget to add cozy, natural fiber household accessories like tablecloths, cushions, throws, and quilts to your hygge-at-home game. These pieces can subtly bring in those soothing neutrals too.

Speaking of which…

4. Layer It Up

Layering and living hygge go hand-in-hand. By infusing the space with a tangible sense of warmth and comfort, this design principle engages the senses in a way that innately invites connection and embrace.

Think: soft, chunky blankets draping effortlessly over a sofa, inviting you to snuggle in. That’s that good hygge life — and it’s easy to do. So take this as your cue to up the depth, intimacy, and dynamic qualities of your interior by adding layers.

From natural linens and wool to decadent faux furs and fluffy stuff, you can really get creative with your choices by adding layers with intriguing textures and functions.

One piece we love lately is the  Checkered Teddy Throw, which features a trendy textural check pattern and plush surface for an indulgent handfeel.

Decorative pillows and cushions are another means of layering that add depth, function, and form to any couch or bed — so experiment with height and texture.

You could also try adding a fluffy rug to your floor for some cozy-toesy time

With a little thought put in, each layer can serve to amplify the sensory experience, inviting you to unwind, relax, and cultivate well-being (even if you don’t include a weighted blanket in your approach!) Plus, your layering practices can respond to the seasons: simply increase the amount of layers during cooler months, then, come summer, use our Cool Touch Blanket as a layer to wick away warmth.

Indeed, strengthening the connection to one’s environment through decor is a crucial aspect of hygge-ing your home. Our final tip explores this.

5. Look to Your Environment

Underlying the concept of hygge is the warmth that emanates from simple moments of thoughtfulness, togetherness, and connection. So infuse your space with elements that nod to your community and environment — whether it’s through art, textiles, or your overall aesthetic approach.

For example, if you’re decorating a lakeside cabin, add elements that reflect your surroundings: reclaimed wooden furniture, artistic depictions of local flora and fauna, comforting rustic textiles, etc.

By referencing your environment through your decor choices, your home of hygge becomes a narrative of community, and a place to truly celebrate belonging and coming together in the present moment.

Let’s take a look at three examples that showcase exactly that.

Coastal Inspired Hygge Bedroom

A coastal-inspired hygge home might blend the refreshing ambiance of the coast with the warm embrace of comfort. Here, we built upon a palette of sandy neutrals using sustainable, natural materials and eye-catching layers. You could also add driftwood around the room for a touch of coastal charm.

1.  Vintage Washed European Linen Duvet Cover in Natural

2. Nahla Ceramic Table Vase

3. Linen Cotton Euro Sham in Flax

4.  Linen Cotton Square Cushion Cover in White

5. Muslin Gauze Blanket in Natural

6. Driftwood Bedskirt

7. Signature Vintage Washed European Linen Flat Sheet in White

8. Dorian Decorative Ceramic Bowls (Set of 3)

Prairie Inspired Hygge Bedroom

For a prairie-inspired hygge home, we incorporated expansive grey tones to echo the natural palette of the surrounding skies during evening. Easy layers like plush, textured rugs, pillow shams, and wool blankets create a space where comfort abounds as far as the eye can see.

1.  Wool Blend Blankets

2. Kashton Glass Table Lamp

3. Hemp Touch Sheet Set in Grey

4. Jonas Pillow Sham

5. Cobalt Haze Wall Décor

6.  Collapsible Felt Baskets

7. Walker Wood Coffee Table Trays (Set of 2)

8. Landon Duvet Cover

9.  Polar Faux Fur Rug

Metropolitan Inspired Hygge

A metropolitan-inspired hygge combines the energy of urban living with the principles of a soothing and stylish slumber. Here, a variety of cushions and shams add depth and dynamism, while artisanal layers and textural geometrics evoke modern relaxation. Try adding twinkling lights to echo the city aura while simultaneously transforming the space into an inviting retreat. 

1.  Edith Clear Glass Table Lamp

2. Charity Euro Sham

3. Polar Fur Euro Sham in White

4. Linen Cotton Square Cushion Cover in White

5. Briggs Gold Metal Mirror

6. Pin-Tuck Round Corduroy Cushion

7. Checkered Teddy Throw in Natural

8. Sonrisa Duvet Cover

9.  Muslin Gauze Bathrobe in Natural

Now that you’re equipped with these tips, we hope you’re feeling all ready to hygge at home!

Feel free to browse our extensive online catalog for more cozy living inspiration, or head to any of our 70+ locations across Canada to get a feel for the products. And don’t forget to get a weekly dose of design info by subscribing to our newsletter!