Summer Hygge: Slowing Down and Soaking Up the Light
When we think of hygge, it’s often associated with cold, wintry days—candles glowing, thick socks, and steaming mugs of tea. But hygge isn’t just for the colder months. In fact, true hygge is about living well in every season—and summer is a beautiful time to embrace it.
In Denmark and across the Nordic countries, summer is a time of long days, golden light, and a slower, more mindful pace. The same cosy principles apply—connection, calm, gratitude, and simple pleasures—but they show up in a slightly different way.
Here’s how to bring a sense of hygge to your summer days.
🌞 Make the Most of the Light
Summer hygge is about celebrating sunlight and the joy of being outdoors. Open the windows wide. Let the breeze carry in the scent of flowers and fresh air. Sit outside with your morning coffee or enjoy an early evening walk as the sun begins to dip.
Whether you have a garden, a balcony, or just a sunny windowsill, find a spot to pause and soak in the warmth. Light is a huge part of hygge—and in summer, it’s all around us.
🧺 Picnic Hygge
Take your hygge outdoors. Pack a basket with your favourite treats, a cosy blanket, and head to the park, beach, or even your own garden. Hygge isn’t about fancy meals—it’s about thoughtful, comforting ones. Think fresh bread, strawberries, cold drinks, and good company.
Leave your phone behind, bring a book, or simply enjoy the slow rhythm of an afternoon spent in nature.
🌿 Nature and Nourishment
Spending time in nature is a huge part of the Nordic approach to wellbeing. Summer is the perfect time to reconnect with the outdoors, whether that’s through a long walk in the countryside, pottering in your garden, or adding fresh flowers and greenery to your home.
Fill your space with seasonal blooms, herbs on the windowsill, or a vase of wildflowers picked on a walk. These small touches instantly lift a room and bring the outside in.
🍓 Eat Simply and Seasonally
Hygge food in summer is light, fresh, and made to be enjoyed slowly. Think garden salads, ripe berries, homemade ice lollies, and cool lemony drinks. Try sharing meals al fresco—on a terrace, in your garden, or even by an open window. It’s less about what’s on the table and more about who you’re with and how it makes you feel.
🌼 Summer Evenings the Hygge Way
Long summer evenings are perfect for slowing down. Light a few candles, drape a blanket over your shoulders, and sit out as the sky turns from gold to dusky pink. Invite a friend over for a chat, or enjoy a quiet moment to yourself.
Create simple rituals to wind down at the end of the day—watering your plants, lighting a natural citronella candle, reading a few pages of a favourite book. Let your home be a space of calm and comfort, even in the bright, busy energy of summer.
☀️ Hygge is a Feeling, Not a Season
At its core, hygge is about being present and appreciating the moment—whatever the weather. Summer gives us the chance to experience hygge in fresh, light-filled ways: through nature, connection, and slowing down just enough to notice how beautiful life really is.
Wherever you are this summer, take time to find your own little pockets of hygge. In the shade of a tree, the clink of glasses at a garden gathering, or the stillness of a sunny morning—you’ll find it waiting.
With warmth,
Csilla