Is minimalism and hygge the answer to a cosy home? For me, the answer is yes.
Minimalism is about living with less, which means having only the things you need and love in your home.
Hygge (pronounced ‘hyoo-guh’) on the other hand is all about cosiness; it’s about finding warmth in simple pleasures like good company and comfort food, enjoying life’s simple joys and keeping them sacred.
PIN FOR LATER!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. This means that if you purchase anything through a link, I may earn a small commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying sales. This is at no extra cost to you. You can read my full disclaimer here
If you’re ready for a minimalist lifestyle that’s also comfortable, warm and cosy then this post might be just what you’re looking for!
Minimalism forces us to keep our homes clutter-free but can sometimes leave us feeling cold because we lack any decor or personal style. Hygge invites no clutter but can leave us feeling cluttered by all the doilies, candles and cushions.
The thing is that although these two concepts are very different they’re both about creating a warm atmosphere in our homes. When minimalism and hygge are combined then you have a cosy home!
Table of Contents
What is Hygge
Hygge is a Danish word for “a quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being“, sometimes also called ‘cosiness’. The concept has also been defined as “a special atmosphere” or “a state of mind.” It is the pursuit of everyday moments that can be enjoyed and perfected in the company of others.
Hygge is about creating a cosy environment by adding personal touches. You don’t need to have lots of money or buy lots of ‘stuff’, hygge is about rediscovering what’s already there and simply making it more special. While it can be about creating beautiful things, hygge is more about enjoying the beauty of the moment.
Hygge at Christmas time

Christmas time is when many people decorate their homes in a hygge way to get into the Christmas spirit, which involves adding personal touches like homemade decorations and seasonal plants.
It’s about getting creative, even if you don’t have a lot of time or money to do so. You can create a beautiful looking Christmas by adding the things you love the most and by making it more personal.
This means having a Christmas tree decorated with your own homemade decorations instead of buying expensive big market ones. The idea is to create your own individual Christmas tree, one that’s special to you.
Read also: How to Have an Unforgettable Minimalist Christmas
PIN FOR LATER!

Read also: 11 Important Things to Declutter Before the Holidays
You can also create a cosy environment by lighting candles all around the house and adding blankets everywhere. It’s about keeping things simple, you don’t need lots of extras to create a cosy atmosphere during the holiday season; making the most out of what you have already got is they key.
But hygge isn’t just about candles, blankets and cosy socks.
Hygge can also be about coming together to enjoy simple pleasures with family and friends, things that are special to you all. Finding enjoyment in everyday moments by taking the time out to spend some time with the people you love. This includes having an informal meal together or simply enjoying a nice drink without rushing off anywhere.
Read also: Don’t Take Life for Granted: 15 Ways To Enjoy The Simple Things In Life
How do Hygge and Minimalism Compare
The ideal home for many people is a cosy and warm place to relax and unwind.
While minimalism and hygge both have the same goal of creating a tranquil space, they do so in very different ways. If you’re looking to create an inviting living area with less clutter, it’s important to understand the differences between these two concepts.
By understanding how minimalism can create a simple yet stylish home while hygge focuses on community and togetherness, you’ll be able to incorporate aspects from each into your own decorating scheme.
It’s no secret that I love incorporating Scandinavian design trends into my home – you can check out the serene sustainable gallery wall I created using Scandinavian design.
How to introduce Hygge into your Home

If you’re looking to introduce elements of hygge into your home, it’s important to talk about what makes this cosy feeling so special. These are some of the things that make your home feel more like ‘you’:
– Create an informal space for eating and relaxing
– Invest in quality furniture pieces, not lots of different ones
– Add personal touches like homemade decorations
– Make the most out of what you already have, don’t buy lots of new things
Adding these elements to your home will not only create a cosy house but also show off your personality. You can make the most out of what you already own and investing in high quality items that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Using the Principles of Minimalism with Hygge
While minimalism and hygge are very different, they have one thing in common – both create a space that’s calm and tranquil. You can use the principles of minimalism with hygge to create a stylish yet simple living room that can be enjoyed by all members of your family.
This means investing in high quality furniture pieces that will last you for years to come as opposed to buying lots of different, cheaper items at once. It’s about creating a simple look that feels inviting and comfortable.
By adding a few personal touches to your home, you can create a cosy atmosphere without going overboard with clutter. This means using things like quality throw blankets, candles and rugs which will all add something special to your home without breaking the bank.
You cannot buy the right atmosphere or a sense of togetherness. You cannot hygge if you are in a hurry or stressed out, and the art of creating intimacy cannot be bought by anything but time, interest and engagement in the people around you.
Meik Wiking
Hygge is about choosing quality over quantity when it comes to decorating, which means you don’t need a lot of different things in order for your home to feel like ‘you’. This is what makes these two concepts such a good pairing – both are about creating a stylish yet effortless living space that can be enjoyed by everyone.
Minimalism is an art of less, where the quality of objects is emphasised over their quantity, whereas hygge is all about finding warmth and happiness in everyday life through simple pleasures. By combining these two concepts together, you’ll be able to create a stylish and beautiful living space that’s inviting for all.
PIN FOR LATER!

Books about Hygge
If you’re interested in finding out more about the art of hygge, here are some of the books I enjoyed reading or listening to on Audible.
- Minimalism and Hygge by Edison Montgomory
- The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
- Hygge: Unlock the Danish Art of Coziness and Happiness by Barbara Hayden
- Hygge: The Danish Way to Simpler, Happier Life by Alexander Parker

Agreed, you don’t need extravagance or clutter to make a cozy environment!
Good post! Your blog is one of my favorite now. I learned a lot of new things to become minimalist, declutter, and stuff. Minimalist is something I’m trying to be now. I really want to change and I don’t want to be a shopaholic anymore. Thank you for always helping me.
Aw thank you Fadima! I’m so glad you’ve found my posts helpful 🙂
This was a very interesting read! I didn’t really know much about hygge outside of the coziness part. Having a cozy home filled with quality and treasurable pieces sounds really nice, especially during the Christmas season.
This was really interesting. As someone who spends more time writing than cleaning and struggles with management of space due to ADHD this was actually really helpful.
Hi Tom. I’m glad you found my post helpful. I’ve been reading recently about how it is difficult for those with ADHD to declutter and clean and I would love to learn more about this.
Loved this post! I love to have lamps and candles in my home to create a cozy atmosphere, and I totally agree about enjoying the simple pleasures!
Julia x
Candles can really make a room, can’t they?!
Aw thank you for sharing this post! I love the idea of hygge, my mum has told me a bit about it 🙂 x
Thanks Eleanor!
Love this post.
I am currently trying to create a calm and tranquil vibe in our home and make it even more homely than before.
Get tips to aspire to!
Having a calm and tranquil home can be so beneficial on how we feel and act!
hello! What an incredible post. I have never heard of Hygge. thanks for sharing such an informative post. I will always choose quality over quantity as I believe it lasts longer. Alicia
Definitely quality over quantity! Thanks for reading Alicia 🙂
Hygge sounds incredible, I’d love to have one for my home xx
Fantastic post Vourneen! This is the first time I read about the term Hygge but it is something that makes perfect sense to me and for me. I think I would like to know more things about it so I will check on your suggestions. Thank you!
Thanks Eri! I’ll likely do a few more posts about Hygge soon as I find it really interesting 🙂
I really appreciate this post! The art of hygee is one that intrigues me and I’ll be reading more about this. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Jodie!
Love this! I’ve been trying to cut back on items and go for a semi-minimalist approach to living but I always worried about it being cold and empty. However, with hygge, it sounds like I could get minimalism with warmth, coziness, and calm. I’ll have to try that!
Thanks for sharing!
Minimalism often gets a bad rep for being cold or empty, but there are so many different styles! Thanks for reading 🙂
been reading about Hygge! and trying to be more minimalist day by day!
I love this idea! I love lighting candles and using blankets to stay cosy and warm! I am trying to be more minimalistic as well! Thank you for sharing this!
Hi Vourneen,
I’ve never heard of Hygge before but I like the sound of it.
That is, I like what it stands for – I’m not actually sure if I like the sound of it in a literal sense because I can’t quite get my head around it (learning languages is not one of my strengths!). And YouTube just confused me more : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gAUmez_DExs
I think I’ll just ignore that pronunciation and focus on the meaning 😉 After all, I think that “enjoying the beauty of the moment” is something that we should all aspire to.
Haha that youtube video! I think unless we speak the language, we’ll never say it completely right!
This is such an interesting post. Quality over quantity is definitely what I prefer so I need to look for into this.
Cozy but not cluttered? I mean, count me in! Sometimes I feel like some of the rooms of the house where I live will close on me, they are packed with stuff! Plus with the holidays coming it can only get even more packed! Thankyou for sharing this Vourneen x
These are fabulous tips. (As ever!) My partner and I are downsizing and going more minimal – and I’ve been thinking about ways to have WAY less, but also keep my space cosy and homely. Will definitely be utilising your suggestions! x