7 Ways to Add Hygge this Summer 🌞

What does it look like to embrace the summer season and create a cozy atmosphere of home without thick blankets or a warm fire?

Jun 05, 2024

Each season has a uniqueness to it that can change depending on our lifestyle, job, kids, and of course location. But I like to include things into my daily and weekly routine that make each season feel special.

As spring moves into summer I am doing some summer planning and thinking about that “summer feeling”.

What do I want to add in this summer?

For inspiration I often turn to Pinterest, Instagram, or TikTok. Mood boards are my favorite!

I made some here for you all along with lists and ideas. Enjoy! 😁

First - What is Hygge?

There is a relationship between our environment and our emotional well-being. This is especially true for small children, but it is evident in adults as well.

Hygge:
A cozy feeling of calm and closeness with those in the home.
Spaces intentionally created to be comforting and relaxed.

In a world with unexpected chaos and demands on us from all sides, we must create spaces of calm.

“I think we could all use more togetherness, warmth, relaxation, and simple pleasures in our lives. That is not a Danish thing. That is a human thing. And I think we all deserve to have a hygge home that offers us a place to be happy, even in times of turbulence… and maybe finding happiness at home will make us better equipped to make the world a better place.” - Mike Wiking (My Hygge Home)

This is easy to make happen in the winter months. Add a few soft throw blankets, light a candle, and brew a pot of hot tea = instant hygge! But in the summer months it can not feel so straight forward.

Here are some ideas when the weather is warm and the sunlight lasts longer.

Soft Light -

candles - use smells like lemon, melon, or crisp linen
twinkle lights - these can brighten up a bookshelf or corner and feel inviting
morning sun - in the Arizona desert, the extreme heat keeps us inside but I still enjoy the morning sun coming in the kitchen windows.
watching sunsets - this is a personal favorite, I make time to watch the sunset for a few minutes every evening.

Eat Outdoors -

picnics
BBQ’s
lunch on the beach or at the lake
enjoying shade at the park
front porches & back yards

🧺 keep it simple, use what you have, make it happen

“Live a life that is driven more strongly by curiosity than by fear.” – Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Gathering New Ideas -

find books, podcast, Substack posts that inspire you
research a topic just for fun
gather ideas and write them out in a journal (or a Commonplace Notebook)

Learning new things invigorates us and brings fresh excitement to our lives.

Make Memories -

board games
movie nights
outdoor concerts
conversations with friends
dinner out
swimming
exploring a nature trail

There is no right way to do these things. Pick something that works for your budget and your schedule. Make a bucket list. Sprinkle in a few events in the next few months and it will feel more like summer.

Summer Meal Planning -

This one has a big impact with not much effort. Eating seasonally is cheaper, easier to shop for, and tastes better.

Check out this post for some great ideas & free PDF’s = Summer Meal Planning - Homemade Dinner Ideas

Using a summer dinner plan will help you embrace the season and spend less time in the kitchen. This frees us up for more moments to savor the joys of summer and enjoy our families.

Fresh Flowers & Decor -

fresh flowers from the grocery store
dried flowers preserved
fresh herbs in my kitchen window
window boxes or small pots with succulents
a summer wreath on my door

Please share with a friend!😁

Cold Drinks & Summer Treats =

Iced coffee
iced tea (I keep a pitcher of fresh sun tea in my fridge)
popsicles in the freezer (I keep a pair of scissors in the drawer with them)
ice cream: cones, bars, in bowl, sundaes, with toppings (be creative)
smoothies

These treats taste like quintessential summer. They make grandpas feel like a kid again and remind all of us that life is delicious. I love stuffing our freezer with frozen summer treats. (And it is easier than the hours that I spend on fall baking!)

These are ways that I capture that "summer feeling."

I ask myself “How can I make this summer special and grounding for me and my household?” I spend some time journaling out ideas, planning, and making some lists. (🤓📝Yes, I am a nerd. And yes, this is how I do things…)

Reflection Questions: