How to Embrace Summer Hygge for a Slower, Softer Season

When most people think of hygge, they picture cozy blankets, steaming mugs of tea, and flickering candles on dark winter evenings. But hygge isn’t just for the colder months. In fact, summer offers its own gentle version of this Danish concept, a time to slow down, soften your pace, and savor the little things.

Over the past few years, I’ve started leaning into what I like to call summer hygge, and it’s honestly changed the way I move through the season. Instead of feeling like I need to pack every weekend with outings and activities, I’ve learned to find joy in the quieter moments; the soft, golden ones that don’t make it to Instagram but leave your heart feeling full.

If you’re craving a slower, more intentional summer, here are some simple ways to bring a little hygge into the sunniest season of the year.

1. Create Morning Rituals That Feel Good

Summer mornings have their own kind of magic. The light is soft, the air is still, and the world feels fresh. Try waking up a bit earlier (I know, I know, hear me out!) and giving yourself 15 minutes of quiet before the day begins. Whether it’s sipping coffee barefoot on the porch or stretching with the windows open, these gentle moments set the tone for a more grounded day.

For me, it’s lighting a stick of incense and journaling a few lines outside while the birds are singing. It feels indulgent, even though it only takes a few minutes.

2. Bring the Outdoors In (and the Indoors Out)

Part of the hygge charm is feeling connected to nature, and summer makes that easy. Open the windows. Let the breeze move through your space. Pick wildflowers, fresh herbs, or even dandelions with your kids and pop them into jars. In the evenings, light a few candles outside and turn your balcony, deck, or backyard into a cozy little retreat.

I keep a linen picnic blanket near the door so we can plop down in the yard without much thought. Sometimes we’ll bring dinner outside just because it feels a bit more special that way.

3. Simplify Your Schedule

Hygge is all about slowing down, and summer is the perfect time to give yourself permission to do less. Say no to the things that feel draining. Choose a few things you really want to do and leave space around them. This might mean lazy afternoons, spontaneous naps, or unhurried walks with no particular destination.

One of my favorite summer days last year was when we canceled our plans and spent the afternoon reading under a tree. No schedule, no expectations, just time.

4. Savor Seasonal Foods

Eating hygge-style in the summer doesn’t need to be fancy. It’s about celebrating what’s fresh and seasonal. Think berries still warm from the sun, simple salads, grilled veggies, or homemade lemonade. And of course, the occasional ice cream cone, sticky fingers and all.

Try making a meal that feels like a little ritual. Maybe a picnic dinner on the grass or a slow breakfast with homemade jam. Light a candle, even if it’s still bright outside. It’s about intention, not perfection.

5. Unplug More Often

I know we’ve all heard this one before, but hear me out. Some of the most peaceful summer moments I’ve had were the ones without screens, just being present with my surroundings. Watch the sky change color at sunset. Listen to the hum of crickets. Let boredom be a doorway to rest, not something to avoid.

This summer, I’m keeping my phone in another room for the first hour of the day. It’s made a huge difference in how calm and clear I feel.

6. Make Space for Connection

Whether it’s a slow chat with a friend over iced tea or an evening by the fire pit with your partner, hygge thrives in connection. Summer gives us the gift of more daylight and warmer evenings, take advantage of that by spending time with people who fill your cup.

It doesn’t have to be a big gathering. Sometimes the most nourishing moments come from one good conversation, shared over peach slices and cold drinks.

In the End…

Summer hygge isn’t about adding more to your plate; it’s about making space for what truly matters. It’s soft light, bare feet, unhurried meals, and long, quiet evenings. It’s the simple joy of being exactly where you are.

So if the pace of summer has started to feel a little too fast, maybe it’s time to pause, take a deep breath, and let the slower season find you.