The Art of Cozy Hospitality in Life and Business

We have all uttered or heard the phrase, “make yourself at home,” but what does that even mean? It is a sweeping statement that vaguely articulates that we want guests to feel like they can take off their shoes, sneak a few of the M&M’s from the bowl on the counter, and treat your house as if it were their own. Flip the coin and we all know that awkward feeling of being told to “make yourself at home” at someone else’s house and still not really knowing what we should be doing. What if, instead of saying those words that don’t really accomplish anything, you were able make guests feel at home the moment they walked through the door? What if, a potential client were to feel comfortable and welcomed from their very first interaction with you?

I’d like to introduce you to the Danish word hygge. Pronounced hoo-ga. There is not a direct English translation, but the closest is “coziness” or “consciously cozy.” Hygge is a large part of Danish culture but has been gaining popularity outside of Denmark for some time now. Hygge is used to describe an atmosphere, a feeling, or a moment that is consciously cozy. Characterized by togetherness, taking pleasure in the simple things, and creating an environment of warmth, connection, and hospitality. It is the art of finding joy and balance in the everyday. Hygge transforms ordinary moments into something charming and special.

Hygge is for everyone. It isn’t a fix all or a complicated philosophy. It is a concept that encourages and fosters the forming of cozy habits that become a way of life. Hygge cultivates togetherness and a peaceful environment for guests and customers or clients. It can be implemented into your home and business in many ways, but the biggest elements of hygge can be narrowed into three categories that I like to call “The 3 P’s of Hygge.”

Place

Hygge can be found just about anywhere. For you, hygge might be found in the corner of your favorite coffee shop, flipping through the photo album of a favorite family vacation that sits on a shelf in your living room, or at the dinner table with your family. Creating hygge takes a little practice, but once you get the hang of it, it becomes quite natural. Whether you are creating hygge at home or at work, the three main factors of hygge in a space are light, simplicity, and coziness. Light makes or breaks a space. Too much light and things can feel sterile. Not enough light and it gets dark, depressing, or moody. Warm light helps things feel cozy so try opening the blinds for natural sunshine, turning on a lamp, or lighting candles. Hygge doesn’t have to be fancy. It’s all about reading the audience and recognizing what a particular occasion calls for. If you are preparing for a work meeting with an important person, it might be helpful to be a bit fancier, but don’t overdo it. You can remain presentable and professional while also keeping the flashy stuff to a minimum. A large part of hygge is narrowing life down to the things that matter. It is natural, easy, and does not induce stress or overwhelm. Keep this in mind when decorating, preparing food, interacting with guests and customers, etc. When creating a hygge space, I like to ask myself, “how is the coziness factor?” If a space doesn’t feel very cozy try adding a throw or blanket on the back of the couch or chair. Take a moment to pause, breathe deep, and enjoy a cup of your favorite hot drink. If you are trying to create a hygge space for clients, pay close attention to details that might be off-putting. Be sure to invite them to enjoy a hot beverage as well and always lead by example.

People

Hygge involves other people. Making memories, playing games, lighthearted conversations, and just being together. The best way to ensure the people you are spending time with feel at home and cozy is by minimizing distractions. Put away phones unless absolutely necessary. Allow yourself to enjoy hygge with those around you. Focus on the people in your presence rather than the distractions on your phone. I love how one of my friend handles this. When people come over, they have a basket near the door where everyone puts their phones so they can be fully present. Flexibility is also important. Be aware of what coziness and comfort looks like to the people you are with. If you are working with clients, take note of the things that might make them feel uncomfortable or unwelcome. When it comes to hygge, make people a priority over perfection. Things don’t always go as planned, so be flexible and ready to let others know that you appreciate their presence more than you are worried about the fact that you burnt the cookies you were making for them. Customers and clients value flexibility just as much as professionalism.

Positivity

Hygge doesn’t have room for drama. Instead, it brings joy, positivity, and peace. Leave your bad attitude at the door. Hygge cultivates community, harmony, and gratitude. There really is no place for grumbling, gossip, or other negative additions. Hygge also wouldn’t be hygge without all of your favorite things to keep you positive. This is truly where hygge becomes diverse and personal. Your hygge might differ from someone else’s because different things make you happy. I encourage you to make a list of things that bring you pleasure. Keep it simple and incorporate those things into your life regularly. Take it a step further and be sure to incorporate some of the things you love into your business. Customers need to see you are passionate about what you do. This will draw them in and make them comfortable because you are comfortable.

I hope you will be able to take some of these suggestions and put them into practice to add a little more hygge into your life and business. Stay cozy!

I’m Sarah, a hygge expert and coach. I help female entrepreneurs create a comfortable atmosphere of cozy hospitality, simplicity, and hygge, in their homes, relationships, and businesses. I dearly love tea, coffee, sweaters, deep conversations, photography, cheese, and people.