Back to top
EMBRACING HYGGE
YEAR-ROUND
Cleaning your dirty light fixtures an dusty bulbs will make your home appear 30% brighter without turning on more lights. And don’t neglect the windows! Clean glass not only lets more natural light into your home, it’s a feel-good task, according to a survey by the American Clean Institute. When ACI asked consumers what clean surfaces make them happy, “gleaming windows” made the top five above a “spotless sink.”
Another hygge bonus to brighten up your living space? A candle that’s scented perfectly for the season (or the season you wish you were in). Perhaps a pumpkin spice or fir scent for fall or winter, or a candle that smells like clean linen or fruit for the spring or summer!
BRIGHTEN UP YOUR LIVING SPACE
TIP 1
It’s not just window and door leaks killing your hygge vibe. Don’t forget to plug stealthy gaps around recessed lights, electrical boxes, and wall outlets. This can help you control your home’s temperature year-round! Use a lit incense stick or scented candle to hunt down drafty spots while leaving behind a pleasant scent.
SEAL SNEAKY AIR LEAKS
TIP 2
Why? Both suck out heated indoor air in the winter and send it up the chimney. A gel fireplace insert is an eco-friendly option that produces a burning fire without gas, wood, electricity, or even a chimney. It’s also smoke-free and emits fewer allergens than a wood fireplace (and some options even crackle like the real thing!). A basic model costs between $100 to $210; custom models go up exponentially from there. A case of gel fuel comes with 12 cans that burn for three hours each (about $35).
TRANSFORM YOUR TRADITIONAL GAS OR WOOD FIREPLACE
TIP 3
Some indoor plants, like golden pothos and gerber daisies, are particularly adept at sucking up nasty VOCs — the vapors emitted from household cleaners, paints, and dry cleaning. And since plants increase humidity levels, they help decrease household dust all while adding some green back into your life.
Plants are particularly nice for maintaining that hygge feeling in your home year-round. It’s satisfying to watch each plant grow, knowing that you’re nurturing them along the way. If you’re a plant newbie, varieties like snake plants or zz plants are a good option, requiring minimal upkeep. You can also download apps to help remind you when to water and fertilize your indoor plants!
GET PLANTS
TIP 4
When you’re deep in the dark days of winter, making your home a cozy sanctuary is a must for defeating the blahs and staying healthy. However, feeling cozy in your home can have its benefits year-round, as the Scandinavians have discovered. Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is a Danish word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment as cozy, charming or special. This feeling or moment can be experienced alone or with friends, at home or out, but one of the easiest ways to introduce the concept into your life is through your home.
