How to Hygge in the Summer
I love hygge. I just can’t get enough. And while it is mostly associated with the winter months, there is no reason why you can’t also enjoy it in the summer.
For those of you who don’t know, hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a Danish practice that is all about the warm and fuzzy feelings. Like when you’re reading a good book in front of the fire or surrounded by candles in the evening.
But the feeling of hygge isn’t only reserved for the cold months, where you want to wrap up warm and be cosy. There are so many ways for you to create the hygge feeling in the warmer months too!
I’ve been sharing my post about hygge in the winter on Pinterest since I wrote it, but it’s not been winter for a while, so I thought it was about time I shared some new tips with you to help you during the warmer part of the year!
No time to read now? Pin it for later!
Hygge in the summer months
Keep those candles burning!
Not literally of course.
Just because it’s no longer winter doesn’t mean you have to stop using candles. They can be used all year round, and can feel especially special during the summer months when it gets dark later in the evening.
Wait until the light begins to fade, light up those bad boys, and enjoy the cosy atmosphere. It can be so relaxing sitting with the flicker of candle light around you.
Remember though that the fumes from candles can be bad for you so if you are lighting a lot of them, make sure to crack a window open at some point and let those fumes out!
Fill your home with florals
The sight and scent of flowers can be amazingly cosy and hyggelit – maybe not what you think of as traditional hygge but it definitely works. They just add a little something extra to your home.
It’s a great way to bring the outdoors in, and perhaps boost your mood a bit.
You don’t have to fork out for fresh flowers all summer either if that’s not in the budget (they can be pricey), even artificial flowers can help to create the same atmosphere. You can also use air fresheners and reed diffusers to help create the same scents around your home.
Summer baking
Baking is a big hygge hobby for many reasons.
It makes your home smell great, it’s fun to do with friends and family (very hyggelit) and then there’s the eating of the finished baked goods, which can also be done with friends and family.
If you’re not into making lots of heavy cakes in the warmer months then there are loads of lighter and more summery bakes that you can enjoy. Anything that includes seasonal fruit is always a winner in the summer.
Or if you’re like me, a lemon drizzle cake is all you need to get you by.
Ice up the coffees
Hot drinks are probably the biggest part of hygge to me personally, but one of my favourite things about summer is iced coffee. Give me an iced caramel macchiato any day (provided its above 20 degrees outside!)
One very hyggelit activity is grabbing a coffee with a friend (or riding solo) in your local coffee shop and enjoying a pastry – which is definitely something you can still do when the weather is warm.
It may actually be more enjoyable because you wouldn’t have to trudge through bad weather to get there!
Read outside
Another hyggelit hobby is reading. Sitting in your hyggekrog, wrapped in something warm and reading a good book.
But there are still ways to enjoy this hobby in the summer. Nature is very hyggelit, and so what better way to make the most of the warm weather than to substitute your hyggekrog for a park bench or picnic blanket.
Being outdoors is also great for your mental health, so you get a two in one for that.
Just go outside
Continuing with the nature theme here, doing anything outside is a great way to create an atmosphere of hygge.
Take a hike in comfortable shoes, explore a forest and climb trees, walk around parks, take a cycle, go bird watching, visit the beach, anything that is outside and natural is hygge.
Do whatever is it that you love outside, and you will feel amazing.
Summer bonfire
When I think of hygge in the summer, the image that comes to my mind is being sat on a log on the beach, at sunset, with a bonfire raging in front of me. There’s a gentle breeze in the air, we’re cooking marshmallows, and just having a good chat.
Nothing feels more relaxing to me than that image.
Obviously I know it’s not always safe to have a bonfire, you can’t just light one up when you feel like it. But if you are able to safely it is a great way to create hygge and a wonderful way to spend a summer evening.
There are so many great ways to create hygge in the summer, so you don’t have to wait until the cold sets in to be cosy.
What are some of your favourite things to do in the summer? Leave a comment below, I’d love to know your thoughts!
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23 Comments
Kelly
Thank you for sharing these tips. I’ve heard of Hygge before but never practiced it, I’m currently sat in the garden reading your post so techincally I have already started! Great post.
Travelogged blogs
Thank you for sharing this. I had heard about hygge from several people but never had the time to try it. I love to go out and read my favourites!
Amber Page
I completely agree with all of these! Reading outside is one of my favourite things to do!
Philippa Claire
It’s such a great thing to do outside now it’s sunny! (Safely of course!)
Juri Sharma
Thanks for sharing the tips. Great information 👍
Amber
This is so interesting, I’ve never heard of this before! I really like this concept, especially finding ways to take it into summer. Thank you!
Philippa Claire
I stumbled across it accidentally on Pinterest and have never looked back!
Brandon
I have learned a new word today!! Great piece thank youu
Philippa Claire
Thank you! I’m glad you found it interesting 🙂
Serena
I love the idea of hygge, it sounds so comforting! I’m not much of a coffee drinker, but I do love a glass of iced tea in the summer!
Philippa Claire
It’s such a simple way to make yourself feel good if you need a boost 🙂
Coffee is definitely not mandatory! Iced tea is just as good!
Brooke
You described many of my favorite things to do in the summer. Glad to know that I am creating summer hygge without even knowing it. Life is good.
Philippa Claire
That’s great! I think Hygge is definitely something a lot of us do without realising, but its good to know the things you can do to make you feel good 🙂
Cassie
We’ve been hygge without realizing it! I love reading outside! I like to sit and read while the kids play. This week has been rather wet (we still turned them out in their rain boots and let them splash around some) so there hasn’t been as much outdoor fun, but I love the concept of hygge.
Philippa Claire
It’s such a great way to spend your time. I’m glad you found a way to enjoy the rain as well 🙂
Jaya Avendel
Iced coffee? Ooh, you have made me want a cold drink!
It has been steadily heating up where I live in Virginia, though we still get some cloudy days. I love sitting in the shade to read and burning a scented candle at night. Loving vanilla scents lately. 🙂
Lisa | Mind and Body Intertwined
Such a cool post! I’ve always connected Hygge with winter, but especially the tip of summer bonfires is great! Nothing more Hygge than a bonfire and some songs! And I find flowers often a bit pricy indeed, but I now have some in a pot in some ground and lots of plants! Works as well haha.
Philippa Claire
That’s great! Buying fresh flowers all the time can get so expensive, and I think if you have them all year round they can lose that feeling of them being special. But plants are wonderful!
Helen
Great post. I have always been intrigued to learn more about hygge. I’ve always thought of it a winter thing, so love your ideas for creating it in the summer. I love reading in the sun, there is something so comforting about it, isn’t there.
Lots of love, Helen x
http://www.whathelenloves.com
Philippa Claire
It is very well known as something to do in the winter but it is very easy to create in the summer 🙂
Yes, reading in the sun is so great! It makes me feel quite fancy too, like someone from the movies 😂
Britt K
I am a HUGE fan of iced coffee in the summer. For me, hygge in the summer is best defined by curling up in my hammock in the sun out in our back yard with an iced coffee and a good book. What better way is there to relax? Bonus points if one of the pups decides to hop in the hammock to cuddle (which they do more often than not lol)
Philippa Claire
That’s such a great way to do it! Sounds fantastic! If you’re in the UK, the sunny weather we’re having is so great for that.
Also very jealous of your pup cuddles! 🙂
Castlesandturrets
I love the idea of hygge – never heard of it before, but it sounds great! I love going out walking, and it’s even better when the weather is sunny! Clearly I’ve been doing it without realizing though haha! I mean candles, flowers, baking… that’s pretty much my life – great post, thanks for sharing x