Photos courtesy of BoConcept Westchester
Designer and stylist Abigail Guignard of BoConcept Westchester shares tips for incorporating the Danish aesthetic in your own place.
Unless you’ve been living under a (luxurious, well-appointed) rock for the past five years, you’ve almost certainly heard of hygge, the Danish interior design trend that mixes thoughtful minimalism with soft palettes and even softer textures. Still, we find it hard to clear our clutter and tuck away our tchotchkes.
In an effort to create a new and more serene living space in 2022, we’ve hit up expert interior designer and showroom stylist Abigail Guignard from BoConecpt Westchester in White Plains to give us the full rundown on what exactly makes a space hygge and how we can achieve that kind of look in our own home.
What exactly is hygge?
In a word, coziness — more specifically the lifestyle of coziness and how you make it your own. In Denmark during the long, dark winter months, when the Danes spend a lot of time inside, they focus on creating an environment that is hygge. What makes a space hygge for you is always an individual judgement, but there are themes and approaches that are common.
Hygge might be sitting by your lit fireplace rereading your favorite book or sipping wine on your sofa while listening to your favorite tunes or podcast. It’s your interpretation of feeling at home.
What color palettes should we focus on?
 Muted tones are the best for translating the feeling of coziness. When selecting shades, think about the look of colors in candlelight. The flame casts a warm shadow on all hues, thus creating a snug and intimate feel.
Also consider implementing the look of natural finished woods. We’re loving our Dark Oak finish for case goods. A lot of hygge is bringing the outside indoors, so plants are often used, which introduces greens that can play a key role across all palettes, from lush and dusty to more rooted tones, supporting our longing for the great outdoors.
What kinds of accessories can add to a hygge vibe?
 Think about adding textures that enhance the hygge: throws (especially wool ones), cushions, and vases that bring nature in. You can elevate the look with tea light candles, home fragrances, and layered rugs.
Importantly, personalize your space with items that have significance for you. For instance, you can showcase photo albums, have your favorite board games set up and ready to play, or have on hand the magazine you’re currently reading — we know it’s Westchester!
Wait, isn’t hygge very minimalist? Shouldn’t we be hiding away all our photos and keepsakes?
Hygge isn’t really minimalist, but it’s about thoughtful use of items rather than just clutter. You can really make the most of your keepsakes and photos.
The best way to display these items is in a curated fashion, thinking about how they appear as a whole. For instance, on a bookcase, wall shelf, a gallery wall, and even your coffee table you should consider grouping items in clusters of threes or fives.
Read More: See How This Westchester Designer Brightened up Her Living Spaces
