Cozy Season Isn’t Just for Winter—How to Master the Art of Summer Hygge

I am a cozy girl through and through. There’s nothing I love more than an oversized sweater, fluffy blankets and roaring fires—but these are few and far between in the summer. I always thought that practicing hygge was for colder months, but in actuality, cozy season can exist anytime with a bit of creativity.  

Hygge (pronounced hoo-gah) is a Danish concept that celebrates comfort and contentment through simple pleasures and intentional living. And yes, while it’s often associated with winter, hygge is truly a year-round mindset. In the warmer months, summer hygge shows up as slow mornings, sun-drenched spaces, barefoot dinners in the backyard, and everyday rituals that help us savor the season. 

From softening your home with breezy textures to embracing meaningful connection through outdoor gatherings, here are a few ideas that bring summer hygge to life—making the season feel just as cozy and restorative as fall or winter.

Lighten Up Your Textiles

If you haven’t already done so, now is the time to swap out your heavy knits and faux furs. Opt for linen throws and breezy bedding that keeps you cool during hot summer nights. Remember, summer hygge is all about comfort and contentment, which means reveling in all the materials that help you stay cool amidst the heat. If winter hygge is for bundling up, summer hygge is for cooling down. 

Feel free to also swap out your curtains for something a little more relaxed and flowy. If you have heavy velvet drapes, consider switching them for cotton or linen. Depending on the vibe you’re going for, you can choose light filtering drapes, or linen drapes that include a room darkening lining.

Create a Summer Sanctuary at Home

Spend some time before the summer season gets in full swing to set an intention for life at home. How can your home support you and your family this season? Will you be in and out on summer vacays or are you staying put? Whether you plan on spending lots of time at home, or you’ll be transient, take steps to make your home a cozy place to be. 

Style corners of your home with seasonal delights like straw hats, a favorite candle and fresh cut blooms. Keep fragrances bright and fresh (citrus is always my favorite this time of year) and always have a cool drink nearby. Keeping a pretty drink dispenser filled with water and cut up fruit is a fun way to add a little whimsy to your space and will encourage everyone to stay hydrated. A win-win!

Bring the Outdoors In

Following Mother Nature’s rhythms is an optimal way to nurture your own wellbeing. Hygge encourages intentional living, and bringing the outdoors in is a wonderful way to stay connected and present to the world around you. Fill your space with seasonal touches like bowls of fruit, potted herbs, and farmer’s market blooms. Let your home be sun-drenched by opening up the curtains first thing in the morning. Don’t worry, you can always close them in the afternoon if it gets too hot. 

Embrace Slow Living Rituals

Your summer may be a flurry of travel and activity, or it may be a string of lazy days spent lounging by the pool. Wherever you are on the spectrum of busy and relaxed—slow living rituals are a wonderful way to practice summer hygge. Slowing down to savor and enjoy all the magic that the season brings is what hygge is all about, afterall. This may look like rising early to journal on your porch or savoring your iced matcha before your day gets started. 

I personally think summer is the season for afternoon naps. The days are long, and a midday snooze in a hammock under a shady tree sounds like total bliss. Let the rhythms of summer guide a more present pace and be mindful of what your body needs. 

Make Time for Simple Summer Gatherings

Quintessential winter hygge is gathering around a cozy fire, chatting with friends over cake and coffee. No drama, just vibes. The summer hygge equivalent? Al fresco dinners, spritz happy hours, or backyard brunches—no fancy setup needed. Gathering with loved ones is key to practicing hygge. Lucky for you—summer gatherings are our specialty! Call up a few friends and invite them over for dinner this season. Remember to focus on connection over perfection—hygge is all about how it feels. There’s no simpler pleasure than connecting with loved ones. 

Prioritize Presence Over Productivity

As adults, it can be challenging to bottle up the magic we felt as kids on summer break from school. We still have to work, but one way to catch glimmers of peace, and even excitement, is to prioritize staying present in the moment. Hygge is all about presence—it’s the art of enjoying the moment. Take the time to really enjoy the slow living rituals you decide to take up this season. Watering the plants, folding linens, or sipping coffee slowly can be a reminder to slow down and savor the season. Let your summer be defined not by what you do, but how you feel.

Summer hygge is about inviting ease, beauty, and presence into the everyday. This season offers countless ways to slow down and absorb the gift of simply being alive. By bringing intention to the way you style your space and spend your time, you’ll find that coziness isn’t reserved for winter—it’s a feeling you can carry with you all year long.