While redecorating my house a couple of years ago, I spent almost two hours deciding which lamp to buy for one specific location in my living room. In a bid to make my home a more peaceful space, I tried several different lamps and bulbs until I found the right duo for a calm environment. It wasn’t an easy task, but if I had known about this Danish approach to lighting, it would have been easier.
The Danish are, of course, experts at creating a cozy and happy atmosphere—often described using the word “hygge.” But it was only when I obsessed over making my home a happy space that I truly explored the concept. Meik Wiking, the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, defines hygge in depth in his book My Hygge Home: How To Make Home Your Happy Place.
Maximizing the natural light as much as possible is always a good idea—for example, place a desk or sofa near a window to take advantage of the natural sunlight. But Wiking also insists on the importance of lighting and specific lamps—like cooler and warmer bulbs—in these moments. You should think about where you put the lamp, what you will use it for, and the overall mood you want to create in a room. “A soft, warm light may be perfect for dinner or a glass of wine, but when you have to wash the dishes, you need a brighter light to see,” Wiking explains.
The importance of light “islands”
To create a warm atmosphere, Wiking recommends creating corners—or islands—of light in your living room. Overhead lights, floor, table, and bedside lamps can all be used to create these illuminated areas. Hygge experts recommend ceiling or wall lamps with glass or fabric shades, instead of more traditional chandeliers, to create a cozy environment.
The joys of candlelight
If you aren’t ready to make the financial or time commitment to buying several new lamps, you can achieve the same effect with candles. Their soft, flickering light can help create a calm and relaxing atmosphere at dinner or later in the evening. Choose scented candles to make your home especially inviting—experts in the art of scent-scaping suggest deploying warm and spicy fragrances for living rooms. Think ginger, sandalwood, fig, and pine.