Cozy is as cozy does. The better you do it, the more Danish you may be. The Scandinavians are obsessed with what they refer to as “hygge” (pronounced HOO-gah), which the Oxford English Dictionary defines as “a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.” The term is derived from Norwegian, so it makes sense that the Norwegians would have perfected it. (It’s also related to the English word “hug.”)  

Here are 6 ways you can “get hygge with it” when temperatures drop.

Nothing says hygge like a crackling fire. Before you can repair to the fireplace, you may need to repair the fireplace itself, or at least inspect the chimney cap and remove ash and creosote stains from the firebox. As we continue to learn about how wood-burning fireplaces contribute to air pollution, another popular way to go is gas fireplace inserts, which don't generate particulates. A Bay Area gas fireplace installation can run anywhere between $2,500 and $5,500. (Note: You may need to install an extra gas line.)

Pro tip: Remember to wear a dust mask and gloves when cleaning your fireplace!

Everybody knows that plunging temperatures can bring out the color in your cheeks. Did you know you could also enhance your home’s “hygge factor” by adding color? Pantone recently named “Living Coral” their 2019 Color of the Year. It’s a peachy orange shade they describe as “sociable,” “life-affirming,” and “soft-edged.” How can you bring it into your home? Try adding an accent wall or repainting your front door.

Hygge and cuddling often go hand in hand. Looking for a few cuddle-worthy accessories to raise your hygge game and add warmth to any season? Think cashmere throws, sheepskin rugs, flannel blankets, and wooly socks. Still stumped? Take a look at House Beautiful’s 27 hygge-inspired accessories for the home.

News flash: The cuddliest item in your home may be a candle. It may even be a flameless candle! LED candles flicker in a realistic way, offering the same feelings of warmth and relaxation as traditional candles, which is precisely the point. Lighting, after all, is a key part of “the hygge experience,” and candle light is one surefire way to give your abode a warm, wintry glow. No candles? No problem! The New York Times swears that miniature lights are a worthy substitute.

Poets refers to it as el silencio invernal, that remarkable sense of stillness that only happens during the deepest, darkest days of winter. You can pay tribute to el silencio invernal, and give yourself a good challenge, by making one or two rooms in your house device-free. It won’t be easy, but it will definitely be worth it. Put away those devices and enjoy the silence.

If hygge had an official beverage, it would probably be mulled wine. Europeans have been warming their winter nights with the spiced, steamy beverages for ages. No time for infusions or mulling spices? A mug of tea, a pot of coffee, or virtually any hearty, savory soup will do.

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Frothy lattes, woolen mittens, the crackle of a roaring fire... it’s all hygge to us. We supplied the term’s Oxford English Dictionary definition earlier. What we didn’t tell you is that “hygge” was a finalist for the OED’s word of the year. (It lost out to “post-truth.” Go figure.) No less an authority than The New Yorker declared 2019 as The Year of Hygge. There’s simply no better way to turn  winter days into a warm and wonderful occasion.