Hygge Color Palette Ideas & Inspiration

From the heart of Denmark—quite literally—beats Hygge, a feeling or atmosphere that exudes warmth, relaxation, and connection.

Hygge (pronounced hue-guh) is any place cozy, comfortable, and welcoming. Sit surrounded by candlelight or a blazing fire with friends. Enjoy a cup of tea, blissfully solo, in an overstuffed chair. Hygge is where your personal sense of harmony lives.

The Benjamin Moore Hygge Color Palette

Our hygge-inspired color palette reflects the hygge ethos, while also nodding to beloved Scandinavian interior paint colors.

Living room with off-white shiplap walls, cozy chairs, fireplace, and wooden coffee table with a cookie plate.

Balance Light with the Right Shade of White

"Warmer whites align with hygge, and are always a favorite for Scandinavian homeowners," says Egill Thorkelsson, Managing Director of BM-Island Iceland. "White, earthy off-whites, and greige colors are very popular given the minimal light of the northern regions."

On the walls and trim of this living room, Cotton Balls OC-122—an ever-popular white paint color—creates a blank canvas for meaningful, easy-to-update home decor. Combined with cushy chairs, a roaring fireplace, and slippers at the ready, the scene is set for a satisfying respite.

Gray Cashmere 2138-60 breathes tranquility into any space.

Hygge: The Color of Contentment

An integral hue to the balanced and beautiful Color Trends 2021 palette, Gray Cashmere 2138-60 conjures rumpled sheets and handknit blankets. Pair this subtle blue-gray with a deep hue like Silhouette AF-655. If you are opting for a more monochromatic palette, consider Thundercloud Gray 2124-40.

Leafy greens in a small bowl atop a table with linens and wooden utensils in front of a blue-painted wall.

Conjure Cloudy Blue Scandinavian Skies

There is no universal color palette. Color is personal.

However, if we were to dream about the classic Scandinavian paint color scheme, we think Nimbus Gray 2131-50—a steely blue—would always be in the mix.

Hands-on meets hygge when you repaint your furniture. Try a fresh coat of Winter Snow OC-63, from our Off-White collection, finished in a silky satin as seen in this well-worn stool.

Vase-like bowl of taper candles on a small table in front of a beige-painted wall.

Instant Hygge—Add Candles

Classic warm neutrals like Balboa Mist OC-27 (shown here), Fog Mist OC-31, and White Sand OC-10 are endlessly versatile, creating a lovely backdrop for peaceful environments, especially when illuminated by a fire or candlelight.

"At home, hygge can be seen and felt as a warm atmosphere," says Gisele Virkkunen, Managing Director of Matizes Oy, a Benjamin Moore distributor in Finland. "This includes pleasant lighting, textiles, natural materials and, of course, candles."

What's Next?

Peruse the most popular paint colors homeowners love for a hygge-inspired vibe: whites, grays, neutrals, greiges, taupes and blues—and test them using Benjamin Moore color samples. For a more immediate trial of any new color palette, use the video and photo visualizers found in the Benjamin Moore Color Portfolio™ app.