What is a hygge aesthetic? 

The word hygge originates from Denmark and is about establishing an atmosphere that is full of coziness, well-being, and comfort. My family has taken a tip or two from the Danish people. We enjoy life’s quieter and simpler pleasures in our home and homeschool. Best of all, so can you! 

Why create a hygge aesthetic in your home and homeschool? 

Quiet, cozy, simple, well-being, comfort, pleasures. All of these words create a sense of happiness when I hear them. And a place that embodies all of these evokes feelings of belonging. If I am able to create that for my children then I know they will feel safe, welcome, and restful when they are home.  

I want these qualities in our home for obvious reasons. My children will love being home, and that’s where I want them to be. They’ll know they are welcome no matter what age they are. Aside from this reasoning, these qualities are also essential for creating an optimal learning environment.  

If you want your home to embody all these characteristics and you’re ready to embrace the hygge aesthetic in your homeschool, then you’re in for a real treat because I think you’re going to like this list. It’s easy and budget friendly. 

15 easy ways to create a hygge aesthetic in your homeschool.  

Firstly, let’s take a look at decorations. 

Begin a nature collection. 

Easy and affordable. Your child is probably already bringing you lots of bits and things from nature. Shells, leaves, acorns, rocks, flowers, feathers, dead bugs, …the list goes on and on in our home. Why not create a special spot for all those collected nature items. Maybe you’ll even get lucky and come across an old turtle shell or an abandoned bird’s nest sometime.  

Make paper chains or other decorations for your homeschool room. 

Another super easy and affordable activity your child can participate in. We made paper chains at Christmas time. But the boys had used most of the construction paper without me realizing just how much. So we used all the colors we had left, not just Christmas colors. They were so cute after hanging up that I didn’t want to take them down after the holiday season. 

Also, we make seasonal decorations to hang in our windows and most holidays. Beaded snowflakes, stained glass crafts, and many more options are available online or just browse a craft store. 

Stack books anywhere and everywhere. 

If you have a library of books, remember, books are not meant to be on shelves. They’re meant to be read! I love decorating our bookshelves with books but I also make sure they’re strategically placed throughout the house. This way we are creating a culture of reading. Daddy and I reach for a good book before a device and our kiddos do the same. 

Secondly, setting is important. 

Drape blankets and pile pillows everywhere. 

Blankets and pillows are always readily available in our home. Thicker blankets come out in winter and light-weight blankets take their place in spring. Pillows can be a touchy subject for some moms because kids think that pillows belong on the floor. Replacing them back onto the couch never seems to stop. To combat this I have made it a rule that the pillows on our fireplace are not allowed to be touched. The two to three I actually keep on the couch are free game. I can pick up a few but anything over 3 is too much. Overall, blankets and pillows just add an extra layer of coziness to a space because they add a soft texture. 

Create a cozy reading corner or nook. 

A corner of your child’s bedroom, unused closet space, or a window seat can be transformed into a cozy reading nook. This can be as simple or as complicated as you want it. Simple could be placing a rug in front of a bookcase filled with children’s books. That’s what we did. Or you can string up fairy lights, place a bean bag on the floor and create built in bookshelves. What do you have time, money, and energy for? It doesn’t have to be elaborate. Usually simple and intentional is better. 

Light candles in the homeschool room or at the kitchen table. 

When the opportunity arises, light candles. This means you’ll need to have candles and a lighter readily available. But this little extra step can enhance a history lesson. Or if you have a child who easily becomes frustrated over a subject you can try changing the environment or light a candle before calling your child into the next lesson. See how it goes. 

Play folk or classical music. 

Are the kiddos painting or coloring. Play music quietly in the background. Whether it’s classical or something else, whatever genre makes you feel cozy, warm, and comforted. Turn it on! 

Swap books for seasonal reads. 

We have a designated bookcase for children’s books. Next to it are display bookshelves. These allow me to face the books out. Not nearly as many books are held but it shows your child the cover picture and this image entices them to pick it up. I’ve also found it convenient for seasons or holidays, the covers add to the decor. It’s one of my favorite homeschool routines. Pulling out our fall book collection to kickstart the holiday season, sorting through the obscene amount of Christmas books we have, or placing the spring covers with all their flowers on the shelves is an amazing kickstart to the new season. 

Hygge naturally flows with the seasons. So why not the books that you’re reading with your children? It’s an easy way to incorporate lessons into your daily rhythms too because these books can prompt talking about the seasons and how the earth changes throughout the year. 

Lastly, let’s explore activities. 

Bake or cook something delicious together in the kitchen. 

To embrace the full hygge aesthetic in your homeschool let’s take lessons into the kitchen. When I think of comforting foods for cooler months, soup and bread come to mind. Warm months ask for sandwiches and fresh fruit. 

If you don’t need to knock dinner out with the lesson then maybe focus on a sweet treat like muffins or cookies. What do you like making with your kids? If you don’t have a favorite recipe then maybe it’s time to start experimenting and fill your home with smells of cinnamon, thyme, peppermint, or dill. 

Plan teatime and poetry together. 

Drinking tea and reading poetry aloud is a beautiful combination. My boys love when I plan teatime and poetry for us. I have also themed it differently in the past and had “teatime and manners.” Whatever lesson you want to teach, add warm tea and a fresh baked good (or store bought – your kids won’t mind!) and you’re creating a hygge aesthetic in your homeschool. 

Experience nature. 

Don’t just go on a walk, hygge is about experiencing the simple pleasures around us. Breathe deeply, quietly observe, and meander your way through a wooded park or along the grassy edge of a lake. 

Arrange flowers in vases. 

A lot of hygge content focuses on the fall and winter seasons. But hygge is more than just creating warmth and coziness in our spaces when it’s cold and dark outside. It’s about finding joy in the simple things, like arranging flowers purely for enjoyment. A vase full of flowers suits no other purpose than to bring joy and beauty to the eye of the beholder. 

Next time you get groceries, have your kiddos help you pick a few bouquets of flowers. Once home, break them apart. Mix and match to you and your kiddos heart’s content.  

Create a craft together or paint. 

Besides the easy crafts you can make to decorate your homeschool room, embrace the hygge aesthetic with crafts that will simply engage your child. Two of my sons are old enough to love making fuse bead art. I even enjoy making it with them! Hygge emphasizes doing things together so participate in the craft. Make your own, carry on a conversation, and connect over a creative activity. 

Think back to your childhood, did you have any favorite crafting kits? I learned to cross stitch at a young age and still love to pick it up. Knitting, sewing, and really anything that is peaceful and creative is a win. 

Another option is to paint. From watercolors, to painting wood ornaments, to painting by number, to using paint with water books for little ones. There are many options and something that will meet your needs. 

Set up a puzzle table. 

I look forward to the day we can do this. I know the exact room and spot our folding table will sit for a puzzle to be put together slowly over the course of a season’s months. This puzzle can then be hung in a frame if you so desire. I did this a long time ago. 

Now with three little boys it’s impossible to keep them out of the puzzle and from losing the pieces. We know, we’ve tried. If the season of life you’re in is one that your child will be a helper and not a hinderer, then maybe set up a puzzle table for leisurely moments. 

Make time for rest and conversation. 

Quiet the noise from the outside world. That noise is wrong, you don’t always have to be productive and busy to be happy. Instead find contentment in your surroundings and peace with those you love. Take the time to sit and read books to your child. Rock with them on your lap while you sing a song. Hold hands as you meander through nature.  

Most of all, connect with your kiddo through conversation. Be with them and talk with them. Get to know their hopes, dreams, what they love, what scares them… Ask questions and listen to your child. The voice they have right now will change, the child they are today will fade into a memory, and before you know it they will be an adult. Hygge is about enjoying the simple things in the here and now and with those you love. So enjoy this time now through rest and conversation with your kiddo. 

A hygge aesthetic for your homeschool can start today. 

Begin by creating decorations for your homeschool space with your child. Design cozy, restful places with books, pillows, and blankets. Don’t forget to light candles and play music when the opportunity arises. Plan hygge inspired activities like enjoying nature, crafting, baking, and drinking tea. Most of all remember to rest and partake in great conversation together. 

Take a tip from the Danish people and create a hygge aesthetic in your homeschool and ultimately your home. It won’t only create an optimal learning environment, it will also create a sense of belonging and comfort that they’ll seek out even as adults. And they’ll know right where to find it. 

About the author. 

Julie is a dedicated homeschooling mom to three lively boys, whose energy and curiosity inspire her every day. Her journey into homeschooling began long before her children arrived, rooted in her experiences as a public school teacher and her deep understanding of the challenges faced by military families. Having witnessed firsthand the instability that frequent moves and transitions can bring to a child’s education—especially for military kids—Julie knew she wanted something different for her own family. When she married her husband, an Air Force man, her resolve strengthened, and she made the heartfelt decision to homeschool their future children, providing them with a stable, nurturing, and joy-filled learning environment. 

Today, Julie pours her passion into creating a home brimming with play, laughter, and connection. She believes that joy is the heartbeat of a thriving family, and she’s made it her mission to weave that philosophy into every corner of her household. Through her blog, Playing for Hours, Julie opens her world to others, offering encouragement, practical resources, and creative ideas to help moms and kids alike embrace the magic of play. Whether she’s sharing tips for hands-on learning, imaginative games, or simply ways to slow down and savor the moment, Julie’s words resonate with warmth and authenticity. 

As the keeper of her home, Julie finds deep fulfillment in the art of homemaking. From whipping up hearty meals in the kitchen to baking treats that fill the house with irresistible aromas, she delights in nourishing her family. Her hands are rarely still—whether she’s knitting a cozy scarf, tending to her thriving garden, or caring for her backyard chickens, Julie embraces these tasks as acts of love. For her, homemaking isn’t just a duty; it’s a canvas for creativity and a source of joy that she hopes to inspire in others. 

When she’s not chasing after her boys or dreaming up new adventures for her blog, Julie can be found sipping tea with a good book, dreaming of her next project, or simply soaking in the chaos and beauty of life with her family. Through her work and her life, she invites others to join her in rediscovering the simple, profound power of play—and the happiness it brings to both little hearts and big ones. 

Follow Julie on Instagram and Facebook for more ways to create play and discover joy in your home.