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What is Hygge?
The Danish-Norwegian word "hygge" (pronounced "hooga") dates back to before the 1800s, its closest literal translation being "to console" or "to comfort".
Nowadays, hygge describes a cosy and contended mood or a lifestyle centred around cosiness, comfort, and quality time with loved ones.Â
Hygge has also become a popular interior design style.
Why Create a Hygge Home?
Hygge interior design is known for being aesthetically pleasing, but it has the potential to benefit your mood as well.Â
Like many Scandi interior design styles, hygge spaces focus on warmth, comfort, cosiness, simplicity and functionality, utilising elements such as warm colour palettes, soothing textures, ambient lighting and natural materials.Â
The ultimate goal is to create an environment that feels peaceful and rejuvenating, somewhere to enjoy simple pleasures and take a moment to slow down in a fast-paced world. All these elements make hygge home decor conducive to an improved mood at home.
Top 10 Fabrics & Textures for a Cosy Hygge Home
We now know that cosiness is a crucial element of a hygge design. But how can we make our homes feel warm and comforting?Â
One way to achieve this is by adding a variety of soft furnishings with pleasant textures or made from cosy fabrics to the areas of your home where you relax. Whether it's the sofa in your living room or the armchair in your reading nook, the right fabrics and textures can turn your spaces from dull and cold to ultra-comfortable and rejuvenating.
So let's jump in and explore the options.Â
1: Boucle
Boucle is a luxurious fabric with a textured nubby feel that adds both warmth and buoyancy to hygge spaces. It's created by spinning yarns together, with one strand looped loosely to form its distinctive textured appearance.Â
We love boucle for upholstery on sofas, armchairs, bedboards, footstools and soft furnishings such as throw pillows. Boucle and hygge go hand in hand for an ultimately cosy and tactilely satisfying interior design.Â
2: Corduroy
Corduroy is a type of fabric known for its soft lines or ridges, giving it a unique texture. It's a great choice for adding durability and warmth to any space while featuring that pleasantly tactile feel that's beneficial for any space but especially for hygge homes.Â
While corduroy can be made from natural materials like cotton, it's more commonly made of synthetic materials like polyester.Â
Due to its sturdy nature, corduroy is an excellent option for furniture upholstery, such as sofas, armchairs, and bed headboards.Â
3: Brushed Cotton
Brushed cotton has a slightly fuzzier texture than basic cotton fabrics owing to its manufacturing process where it's gently rubbed with metal instruments which graze the fabric and raise the fibres, resulting in an ultra-soft and delicate yet hardy fabric.Â
Brushed cotton works great for pillow covers, throws and especially winter bedding as the manufacturing process makes the fabric more insulating and better at trapping warmth.
4: ChenilleÂ
Chenille fabrics are characterised by their velvety pile and fuzzy texture. Traditionally made from a combination of cotton, silk, rayon, or wool yarns, threads are woven together to create a dense, tufted surface resembling caterpillar fur (hence the name "chenille," which is French for "caterpillar").Â
Chenille is often made from cotton but can be manufactured with synthetic materials such as acrylic. This fabric is perfect for rugs, upholstery and other soft furnishings for a luxurious and plush feel.Â
5: SherpaÂ
A soft and fluffy material with a fleecy texture, sherpa is known for its resemblance to sheep fleece.Â
Thanks to this fabric's thick pile structure, it's a champion for warmth while remaining lightweight, making it the perfect fabric for bed or sofa throws, especially in winter.
Sherpa is typically made from synthetic materials such as polyester, but there are natural sherpas made from materials like wool, cotton or bamboo if you're looking for a sustainable option.
6: WoolÂ
Wool is a highly valued fabric in home decor because of its warming qualities. It has been used for centuries and is still a popular choice nowadays, which speaks to its benefits.
Wool is biodegradable, insulating, breathable, and durable. Plus, woollen soft furnishings have a beautiful soft texture that makes them an ideal option for infusing warmth into your hygge space.Â
If you're looking for sustainable options, consider wool fabrics for soft furnishings such as blankets, throw pillows or rugs.
7: SheepskinÂ
Image credit: by SweetHomeLYÂ | Buy on Etsy
Scandinavian interior design is at the heart of hygge home decor and sheepskins are a staple component for infusing warmth and naturality into Scandi spaces.Â
Sheepskins are natural, plush, and luxurious, with some studies showing they can potentially promote sleep and reduce stress and anxiety. They make great hearth rugs, chair covers, or cushioning for floor seating.
Don't fear if you're an animal lover, faux sheepskins can look pretty authentic these days and have the same cosy effect on your space if you're not up for bringing animal hide into your home.Â
8: Knit
Knitted fabrics are a common staple when it comes to bringing warmth and cosiness to any space and they look amazing in hygge designs.Â
Coming in a large array of patterns, all with unique textures, knitting is a highly accessible craft, meaning if you enjoy crafting, you could bring some homemade soft furnishings to your hygge space.
Knitted fabrics can be made from a huge range of materials both natural and synthetic, so there are plenty of options to choose from. Plus, the pleasant texture of knitted fabrics adds another layer of depth to your interior design.
9: Linen
Linen is a light fabric made from the flax plant. Its organic nature makes it a great choice for infusing authenticity into your hygge space.
As well as being light and breathable, linen also has temperature-regulating properties, making it a wise and sustainable option for bedsheets or curtains.Â
Linen is also a practical choice for home items, such as cleaning cloths or aprons thanks to how durable, eco-friendly and absorbent it is. With a timeless appeal, linen can elevate your hygge design by infusing an organic feel wherever it's used.Â
10: Handwoven
Handwoven fabrics come in many different forms from rugs to blankets to wall tapestries.Â
Handmade items bring a touch of authenticity and warmth to your space, perfect if you're going for a hygge look.Â
Handwoven fabrics are often made on upright looms or by hand to create a knit, crochet or braiding effect. You can opt for handwoven fabrics for items like rugs, blankets or wall tapestries to give your home an earthy feel.
Now you have 10 hygge-infused materials to choose from for your soft furnishings, consider using a variety of fabrics and textures to increase visual interest and depth. Layering multiple soft furnishings is a great way to create warmth and comfort in your hygge space. Let us know which fabrics you love to use in your cosy hygge home in the comments.
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