I'm sure you heard about the concept of hygge. In a world that's super stressful, hygge reminds us to slow things down and pay more attention to the most important things in life – our personal spaces, our cherished family and friends, and our physical and emotional well-being. But does living a hygge-lifestyle work? Well, the fact that the country where the word originates from, Denmark, regularly occupies a top spot in surveys on world happiness is probably a great sign.
In fact, the concept of hygge graces most aspects of the typical Danish lifestyle, and furniture in particular. But hygge-inspired furniture isn't confined solely within the boundaries of Denmark. To the rest of the world, the unique Danish furniture is considered to be like a little black dress – always good in taste and practical. So, thanks to the rise of its popularity, even us here at the other end of the world can shop exquisite Danish design furniture.
But how does Danish design furniture differ from other designs? Well, unlike the heavily ornate pieces of most other styles such as colonial, French provincial, and Hamptons, Danish design as part of the Scandinavian movement focuses on minimalism. This makes it ideal for modern-day people who look for a way to eliminate stress and clear the clutter from their lines.
With that being said, Danish furniture is made of exclusively real wood and features simple finishes and clean lines that almost mould around the body. Instead of being covered in decorative details and embellishments, Danish pieces are sturdy and straight forward, designed to resist wear and tear with grace. This can be especially apparent in hard-wearing pieces such as dining chairs and tables, bed frames and storage solutions. It's the simplicity and functionality of the design that made the whole world fall in love.
However, do not make the mistake of thinking that minimalist means strict and cold. In fact, the purpose of Danish furniture is to promote a warm and intimate atmosphere. As I've mentioned, this is because it is heavily influenced by the hygge concept. As such, Danish furniture is designed to offer a pleasant sensory experience that calms your senses thanks to its soothing colours and organic materials such as oak, maple and walnut.
The unique colour palette consists of mostly neutrals such as brown, charcoal grey, black, and white. The dominance of these colours infuses the interior with a more outdoorsy appeal that has a relaxing effect. What's more, Danish furniture often incorporates plenty of soft fabrics in addition to the wood which helps create a warmer and more intimate setting.
If you find the thought of this alluring, you can find mid-century and modern Danish furniture pieces through furniture retailers that source this popular style. Even if it's only one or two pieces, Danish furniture will surely have a positive effect on your home, kind of like a little black dress – always elegant and tasteful.