There’s nothing quite like the feeling of being cozy at home. And with the cold winter months upon us, there’s no better time to get cozy than now. Unless you are reading this article in warm weather. But still. Coziness is lovely. But what if being cozy also meant being productive? That’s where the concept of a hygge home office comes in.
Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is a Danish word that can best be described as a feeling of comfort, warmth, and well-being. Just relaxed, yet not sleepy, but just really comfortable. When you feel it, you know it.
The home office is often thought of as a place of efficiency and productivity. But what if your home office could also be a place of cozy contentment? A place to feel good both in the sense of being productive and relaxed. Maybe “zen” is the right term.
By introducing the concept of hygge into your home office setup, your home office design can create a workspace that is not only comfortable but also inviting and motivating.
Hygge (pronounced hoo-ga) is a Danish word that doesn’t have an English equivalent. It’s often described as a feeling or mood that comes from taking pleasure in simple things. The closest you can get to the word “hygge” in English is probably cozy or coziness.
Hygge is about an experience, not about stuff. It’s about being with the people you love, enjoying the moment, and feeling cozy and content. You can “hygge” alone or with others, but it’s usually more enjoyable with others.
Candles, fireplaces, comfortable furniture, warm blankets, good food, and drinks are all commonly associated with hygge. But, ultimately, it’s about finding joy in everyday moments and feeling connected to those around you.
So, what if you could combine that feeling with working from home? You would probably love it a lot more and find excuses to work from home all the time. Continue reading to find out how you can add a bunch of hygge to your home office setup.
How to create a hygge home office
Adding hygge to your home office will make you feel a lot more comfortable when taking a day at the home office. If you don’t really like working from home or find it boring, then adding hygge might help to get rid of that feeling. Here are some tips for creating a hygge home office:
First, make sure your office is well-lit. Natural light is best, so position your desk near a window if possible. If you don’t have access to natural light, use lamps to create a warm and inviting glow. Sitting in the darkness in what could feel like a dungeon-like setting will not help you at all. It sounds depressing just mentioning it. Make sure the lighting of your home office makes you feel better. That is the first step of adding hygge to your home office.
Second, surround yourself with things that make you happy. decoration matters when it comes to creating a hygge atmosphere, so choose items that bring you joy and make your space feel personal. It could be paintings, plants, a sofa or even a TV. Just whatever brings a little bit of more good vibes into your home office. Just, of course, without distracting you from being able to work.
Having something else besides your desk, computer etc., also makes it easier for you to take a break during the day. Sit on the couch and watch some TV just for a little while. You will feel refreshed and better afterward.
Adding to that, also consider cozy textiles in your office design. Think blankets, throws, pillows, and rugs. No one wants to freeze and if you work from home during winter, you may need to throw a blanket around you. That picture alone is very much the definition of hygge.
Bring nature inside with plants and flowers. I mentioned plants before, but there really are many benefits to adding greenery to your home office. Not only will they add some life to your space, but they can also help improve air quality. If you don’t have a lot of natural light in your office, you can choose fake plants as well just for the sake of adding green.
Furniture and decor for your Hygge Home Office
When it comes to choosing furniture and decor for your hygge home office, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, you want to make sure that the pieces you choose are comfortable and inviting. Second, you want to make sure that they promote a sense of calm and relaxation. And third, you want to make sure that they help you create an environment that is conducive to productivity.
If only choosing furniture with the view of adding hygge, go for comfort: After all, you’re going to be spending a lot of time sitting in this space, so you want to make sure that it’s comfortable.
When choosing a chair, for example, you want to look for something that is comfortable and supportive. I also recommend choosing furniture with a timeless design that s easy to clean and maintain. The chair of your home office is the most important part of that. See, if you can find a chair that you both enjoy working from but also feel relaxed sitting in.
For the rest of the furniture like your desk, you will want to choose furniture and decor that is cozy and inviting. There is no final conclusion on what makes a desk particularly “hygge-like”. But choose something that fits your style and that you enjoy looking at and working from. That should do the trick.
It is also important to create a space that is free from distractions. Declutter your desk and make sure you have everything you need within reach. The Scandinavian home office style does exactly that, which may not be a surprise, given hygge originates from Denmark in Scandinavia. Basically, it is mixture of a minimalist and cozy decorating style.
Why is the lighting so important for the hygge home office?
Whether you’re trying to create a warm and inviting space for yourself or for others, lighting is key. The right lighting can make all the difference in creating a cozy, hygge space.
Here are a few tips for choosing the right type of lighting for your hygge home office.
- First, you’ll want to choose a soft, diffused light source. This will help create a warm and inviting atmosphere.
- Second, consider using multiple light sources throughout the room. This will help add depth and dimension to the space.
- Third, make sure to include some task lighting so you can actually get work done.
None of this matters if the home office is not usable for work and production. So make sure none of your choices hinders your ability to work from your home office.
But by following these simple tips, you can easily create a warm and inviting space in your home office with just the right type of lighting.
The role of color when creating a Hygge Home Office
When it comes to creating a hygge home office, color plays an important role. The right colors can help create a warm and inviting space that is both comfortable and stylish.
When it comes to color, I would recommend going with a neutral palette. This will help you to create the most hygge environment possible. Neutral colors create a sense of calm and comfort, so they are perfect for an office.
Blue is known to be particularly calming, making it a great choice for walls or accent pieces. It is also a versatile color that can be paired with other shades to create a variety of different looks.
Other good options include earthy shades like green and brown, which can help to ground the space. Green is associated with nature and can help you feel more connected to the outdoors. It is also a refreshing color that can help wake you up in the morning.
Bright colors should be used sparingly in a home office, as they can be too stimulating and make it difficult to concentrate. However, adding a pop of color can help to liven up the space and make it more personal.
Choose one or two bright accents that reflect your personality and style could be a great idea but don’t put them in the background of your home office. It can be really distracting when you have an online meeting.
The benefits of plants when creating a home office with hygge
When you want to create a true home office that oozes hygge, don’t forget about plants. Not only do they add a touch of nature to your indoor space, but they also have a number of benefits that can help you create a more inviting and comfortable office.
Here are just some of the benefits that plants can bring to your home office:
- They boost your mood and productivity.
- They help purify the air, making for a healthier work environment.
- They can act as a natural source of noise cancellation and create better acoustics
- They add life and personality to your space.
- They make for great (and low-maintenance) decorating accessories.
There are a few things to keep in mind when selecting plants for your office. First, consider the amount of light your space gets. If you have a lot of natural light, opt for plants that thrive in bright conditions. If your space is on the darker side, choose plants that can tolerate lower light levels. Like fake plants or plants specifically suited for darker environments.
Next, think about the size of your space and the type of plant that will fit best. If you have limited counter or desk space, go for smaller options like succulents or cacti. Larger home offices can accommodate medium to large-sized plants like fiddle leaf figs or rubber trees.
You can find much more information on how to choose the right plants and what the benefits of having plants are much more here.
How to use technology to create hygge in your home office
When thinking of technology, that may not be what brings you close to the term hygge. However, there are a few things you can do to use technology to create a more cozy and inviting space and bring much more hygge into your home office setup.
First, you can consider using technology to control the lighting in your home office. Warm lighting can help create a more relaxing atmosphere, but if you need brighter lights for working, you adjust it with SMART technology. You can use smart light bulbs or even candles to create this type of ambiance.
Second, take advantage of noise-canceling headphones or white noise to minimize distractions and help you focus on your work. This can be particularly helpful if you live in a place with a lot of traffic noise from outside. Or if you work from your living room and you have a family member or roommate being home as well. Or maybe you share your home office with someone else.
Smart plugs will help you turn your devices on and off when needed. And smart cameras can add a layer of safety on top of your daily working from home.
Conclusion: Reap the benefits of the Hygge Home office
In conclusion, the benefits of a hygge home office are many. A hygge home office can help you to be more productive, to feel more comfortable, and to enjoy your work more.
Creating a hygge home office is not that difficult. It only requires a few simple changes and steps. By adding cozy elements like blankets, pillows, and candles, you can make your space more inviting and comfortable. Choosing the right furniture, decorating your home office in a cozy way, and adding some personal touches will bring you far along the way.
Taking the time to declutter and organize will also help reduce stress and make your office feel like a calming oasis. Sooner rather than later you will find yourself enjoying working from home much more thanks to all the hygge.
My name is Frederik
I am a passionate marketeer who loves the freedom that comes with working from home whenever I choose to do so.
I love getting nerdy with every single detail about making everything related to my home just a tiny bit better.
That is what motivates me to write about home stuff on this blog.