A Hygge Summer? Yes, It’s a Thing (And You’re Gonna Love It)

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Last Updated on June 9, 2025 by Nell Marie

How to Embrace a Slow, Cozy, and Joyful Summer the Hygge Way

When you think of “hygge,” your mind probably goes straight to thick blankets, candlelight, steaming cups of cocoa, and all the cozy things we cling to in winter. But let me tell you something beautiful: hygge isn’t just for cold weather. In fact, summer might just be the perfect time to lean into it.

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Hygge at its heart is about warmth, not just the kind you feel on your skin, but the kind you feel in your soul. It’s about slowing down, being present, connecting with the people (and pets!) you love, and finding contentment in simple pleasures. Sounds like summer magic, right?

So grab a cold drink, kick your feet up, and let’s chat about how to make this your most hygge-filled summer yet.

More Slow Living Reading:

Savor Slow Mornings with the Windows Open

There’s something extra lovely about summer mornings. The birds are singing, the breeze is soft, and the light feels gentle and golden. Hygge mornings in summer mean…

Letting natural light wake you up instead of an alarm
Starting your day on the porch or by the window with a cozy robe and a cup of tea or coffee
Journaling or reading a chapter of a good book before your day gets busy

☀️ Bonus tip: Keep your phone on airplane mode a little longer so you can truly enjoy those first peaceful moments.

Check out Rachel’s slow Summer day below! Make sure you check out her channel, too.

Eat Outside as Often as You Can

One of the coziest things you can do in summer? Dine alfresco. It doesn’t need to be fancy—a peanut butter sandwich under a shady tree totally counts. Hygge summer meals are more about experience than presentation.

Try this:

Bring a blanket to the backyard for an impromptu picnic
Light a few citronella candles and enjoy dinner on the patio
Invite a friend over for a simple fruit-and-cheese board at sunset

🍓 Pro tip: Keep a picnic basket packed with napkins, cups, and a light blanket so you can head out the door at a moment’s notice.

I’ve decided to dedicate at least one snack a week to my front or back porch on nicer summer days. I’m in Texas, so I’m not sure how often that will happen, but I hope at least once a week I’ll make it happen. It sounds so nice!

More reading: Favorite Picnic Food Ideas

Prioritize People and Presence

Hygge isn’t just about being cozy—it’s about being connected. Long summer days are a beautiful time to deepen your relationships and really be with the people you love.

You don’t need a party. You need presence.

Host a low-key bonfire night with marshmallows and soft music
Go on a slow walk or bike ride with a friend
Play board games or cards on the porch
Have a screen-free night and just talk or watch the stars

🌙 Hygge moment: String up some fairy lights and keep a basket of soft throws nearby for your guests to cuddle up with as the night cools down.

Make Your Home Light, Breezy, and Inviting

Just like we cozy up our homes in winter with candles and knits, we can hygge them in summer with softness and airiness. Think fresh, natural, and simple.

Swap heavy blankets for linen throws or lightweight quilts
Let in natural light by pulling back heavy curtains
Display fresh flowers or clippings from your yard in mason jars
Burn summery candles like lemon, lavender, or coconut
Place books in sunny nooks that invite you to sit and read

🌼 Little luxury: Hang sheer curtains that flutter in the breeze—it makes the whole room feel like a retreat.

Hot Tip: Check out vintage quilt finds on Etsy!

Embrace the Joy of Barefoot Living

Being barefoot is such a summer hygge thing. It’s a quiet reminder to slow down and feel the earth beneath your feet.

Take off your shoes when:

You’re outside in the grass
You’re standing in the garden watering plants
You’re having an indoor day and want to be comfy

🌿 Mindful practice: Every now and then, pause and take a deep breath as your toes touch the ground. Feel grounded, present, and fully alive.

Challenge: Slow Living Challenge: 30 Days to a Slower Life

Hygge-ify Your Summer Wardrobe

You don’t have to give up comfort for style. Hygge in your wardrobe means breathable, natural fabrics and outfits that make you feel soft and free.

Go for:

Flowy linen or cotton dresses
Worn-in denim shorts and oversized tees
Wide-brimmed hats and soft sandals
Lightweight cardigans for cool evenings

👗 Bonus idea: Keep your summer wardrobe palette calm and neutral for that simple, calming hygge vibe.

Read, Read, Read

Summer and books go together like strawberries and cream. Grab your current read and head to the hammock, a shady tree, or even a cozy corner indoors with a fan blowing.

Ideas for a hygge summer reading list:

Cozy fiction like The Secret Garden or Anne of Green Gables
Uplifting memoirs
Light mysteries or cottagecore romance
Poetry collections for slow mornings

📚 Sweet tip: Start a mini book club with a friend—just one book over iced coffee and giggles on the porch.

My Recent Book Haul

Connect with Nature Daily

Nature is the ultimate hygge setting, and summer offers endless ways to enjoy it. You don’t need a national park—your backyard or neighborhood will do.

Ways to get outside:

Go on barefoot morning walks
Water your plants slowly and mindfully
Watch the sunset from your porch or a field
Sit under a tree and do absolutely nothing

🌳 Peaceful moment: Watch bees pollinate your flowers or butterflies float by. Just breathe and be there.

Take It Easy in the Kitchen

Summer hygge cooking is about ease, freshness, and joy—not stress or perfection.

Think:

No-cook meals like caprese salad, fruit bowls, and hummus plates
Grill nights with easy marinated chicken or veggie skewers
Baking simple fruit crisps or lemon shortbread
Making cold brew or iced herbal tea to sip all day

🍋 Try this: Keep a pitcher of infused water in your fridge with lemon, mint, or cucumber for a little everyday luxury.

Soak Up Golden Hour

There’s a certain light in summer—just before sunset—that feels pure magic. Hygge is all about noticing that magic.

Sit outside with a drink as the day winds down
Watch the way the light hits the leaves
Listen to the quiet hum of summer nights

✨ Heartwarming idea: Light a candle during golden hour and write down three little things you’re grateful for. It’ll shift your whole perspective.

Keep Your Evenings Soft and Sacred

Just like mornings, evenings in summer should feel gentle and comforting.

Set a slow rhythm for winding down:

A warm bath with lavender and Epsom salts
A few pages of your book by soft light
Light acoustic music or nature sounds
Journaling what made you smile that day

🕯️ Hygge ritual: Keep a candle on your nightstand. Even one flickering light can bring peace to your bedtime routine.

Savor Simple Traditions

Hygge thrives in the beauty of repeated, meaningful rituals. Summer is the perfect time to create cozy traditions you’ll look forward to all year.

Start small:

Saturday morning farmers’ market runs
Weekly backyard movie night
Morning tea on the porch with bare feet
A seasonal summer playlist you listen to each evening
Baking the same summer dessert every year with your kids

🌻 Memory tip: Capture the magic with Polaroids or keep a simple journal of “hygge moments.

Final Thoughts: Hygge Isn’t About Stuff. It’s About Soul.

You don’t need to buy a single thing to have a hygge summer. It’s about slowing down. Breathing deep. Laughing with people you love. Smiling at the sky. Eating strawberries with your fingers. Wiggling your toes in the grass.

Let this be the summer where you embrace the beauty in the in-between.

I’ll leave you with one of my favorite hygge-inspired thoughts:

“Happiness consists more in small conveniences or pleasures that occur every day, than in great pieces of good fortune that happen but seldom.” – Benjamin Franklin

Sending you barefoot days, golden hour light, and the softest of summer joy.

With love and lavender-scented breezes,
Nell Marie

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