5 Ways to Use Hygge in Healthcare Design

Healthcare design is centered around getting the best outcomes for patients while at the same time supporting staff in what’s often a high-stakes, challenging field.  That’s why healthcare CEOs and designers are always looking for simple ways to bring more benefits to the entire care team.  And that’s where hygge comes in.

Hygge (pronounced hue-ga), a Danish concept emphasizing coziness, comfort, and well-being, goes hand in hand with what healthcare environments want to achieve in hospitals and other healing spaces.  Hygge embodies comfort.  It emphasizes slowing down, connecting to the natural world, seeking peace, and bringing balance to our daily lives.

The practice of hygge is widespread in Denmark because of the “cold, dark, and wet climate” that forces the population to spend most of winter indoors.  And we don’t think it’s a coincidence that even with the less-than-ideal climate in winter, Denmark is considered one of the happiest places in the world.

The culture’s focus on hygge is intertwined into all aspects of their lives, and we think many of the techniques can be applied to healthcare design with similar, positive results.

Merrick Medical, Central City, NE.

Hospitals and doctors’ offices shouldn’t be cold, scary places.  They can be sterile and safe while also being welcoming and uplifting.

Research shows environments that foster comfort and emphasize our innate connection to nature enhance the patient and staff experience.  So let’s look at how applying the principles of hygge to healthcare design can harness the healing power of nature to create soothing environments that promote recovery and healing:

University of Nebraska Medical Center Psychiatric Emergency Services Facility in Omaha, NE.

1. Comfortable Spaces

Hygge is all about creating warm, comfortable spaces to unwind.

In healthcare environments, this means using soft furnishings, cozy seating, and even warm blankets (during procedures and treatments), to make patients feel cared for and to put them at ease.

Kurt and Carolyn Johnson enjoying the view at Allina Health Lakeville Specialty Center in Lakeville, MN.

Places for meditation are another cornerstone of hygge.  In healthcare, designing quiet zones where patients and visitors can relax in peace, away from the hustle of medical equipment and activity, is another way of making comfort part of the floorplan.

Community Alliance, Center for Mental Health in Omaha, NE.

The image above is the reflection room at Omaha’s Community Alliance.  Renze took KJP’s Impressionism images and printed them in layers, mounted them with custom-built frames, and backlit the layers before installing the panels directly into the fabric walls that gently curve around a row of seating in the center of the room.

Aileen Brady, Chief Operating Officer for Community Alliance, said the response to the room has been overwhelming:

“The reflection room has already been used more than we imagined. Both by the people that we serve and by our staff.  It’s become a refuge, you might say, on a difficult day, whether it’s the person that we serve or for our staff.  It’s an opportunity to come take a breath, look at this beautiful artwork, and get another new refreshed look at the day.”

Being intentional about creating spaces away from the chaos can make a big difference when it comes to creating comfortable spaces for healing and recovery.

2. Natural Textures

Incorporating soothing textures made of natural materials is another way hygge adds warmth to indoor spaces.  Incorporating wood, stone, and other nature-inspired textures that mimic or are derived from nature helps counterbalance the often cold and impersonal feel of traditional healthcare settings. These materials create a sense of grounding, making patients feel at ease and helping staff experience a more rejuvenating work environment.

Images printed on high-quality synthetic, cleanable surfaces allow for the artwork to replicate nature while still maintaining strict hygiene and maintenance standards, essential for healthcare environments.

Shenandoah Medical Center, Shenandoah, IA.

Frosted glass or resin embedded with organic materials like leaves or grasses is another technique that can be used to incorporate nature textures into healthcare environments.

Thoughtfully integrating natural textures allows healthcare environments to feel less clinical while helping patients heal mentally and physically.

3. Soothing Colors

Soothing colors are a cornerstone of hygge.  Warm, neutral color palettes (think soft blues, greens, and earth tones) promote relaxation and, when it comes to healthcare environments, can make spaces feel less clinical.

“Muted colors are typically less visually overwhelming, have a timeless nature, and support the simplistic principles of hygge interiors,” according to interior design firm Lavender and Laurel (Hygge Home Decor: How to Create a Hygge Colour Palette | 8 Cosy Hues, May 2024).

A modern example is Pantone’s color of 2025, Mocha Mousse, a soft shade of brown that connects us to the natural world.  Pantone’s Lily Cheng describes the color as one that “isn’t just seen – it’s felt.”  And that describes hygge’s ability to effortlessly comfort through soothing colors and other aspects of minimal design.

Lavender and Laurel encourages anyone looking to create a soothing space to “. . . consider implementing colors reminiscent of nature, such as brown and green. It’s no secret that nature has remarkable calming abilities, and bringing colors that feel natural, fresh, and earthy . . . can help you feel a little closer to the wonderful outdoors and elevate your hygge aesthetic.”

Soft, neutral colors create a calming atmosphere by lowering anxiety levels and supporting a sense of stability, which is especially important for patients experiencing fear or uncertainty. For staff, a neutral, non-distracting environment can promote focus and mental clarity.

4. Soft lighting

One of the most well-known aspects of hygge is its focus on diffused, gentle lighting that’s easy on the eyes and mimics the allure of a warm sunset.  This time of day is often called the “magic hour” because of the beautiful, soft light emitted (and sought after by nature photographers).  Hygge seeks to mimic this soothing light through the use of dimmable fixtures and windows that let in lots of natural light, reducing stress and creating more inviting areas.

Fulton State Hospital, Fulton, MO.

When it comes to healthcare environments, harsh fluorescent lighting can be jarring and contribute to eye strain, stress, and discomfort. Instead, soft lighting can improve moods and even support circadian rhythms, helping patients rest and resulting in caregivers feeling focused and refreshed.

According to Architecture and Design Magazine Australia,  “an increasing body of research points to links between natural light and improved patient wellbeing.”

And when access to windows isn’t possible, nature art is the next best thing (providing many of the same benefits).

CHI Health Regional Cancer Center at St. Francis, Grand Island, NE.

5. Nature Art

Our connection to the natural world is an essential aspect of hygge and biophilic design.  Both philosophies stress nature’s critical role in our physical and mental well-being.

Visual connections to nature, such as murals and framed landscape photography have been shown to reduce stress and improve patient outcomes, creating tranquil, healing spaces when access to windows isn’t possible.

Forests, oceans, flowers, and soft landscapes evoke feelings of peace and comfort, making spaces feel more inviting and restful. In the darker months, when spending time outdoors is limited, nature photographs help bring the calming essence of the outside world inside.

Nature art promotes mindfulness, reduces stress, and contributes to a cozy, hygge-inspired atmosphere by making healing environments feel more harmonious and grounded in natural beauty.  And that kind of positive impact is what all healthcare facilities hope to achieve within their walls.

Whenever healing can be amplified, whether it’s through the use of natural textures and surfaces, calming color choices, uplifting nature images, or soothing light sources, you should do whatever you can to implement those tools.  Because the research is clear, nature improves outcomes.  

We’ve seen this research validated again and again throughout our 20 years of providing nature images to healthcare environments.

It’s why we continue to do this important work and do everything we can to inform healthcare environments of the impact something as simple as a photograph of trees can have on a patient waiting to receive treatment for a scary diagnosis.

Merrick Medical, Central City, NE.

By embracing hygge-inspired healthcare design, hospitals and clinics can become places of comfort and restoration rather than just treatment centers. Patients can benefit from reduced stress, improved recovery times, and a greater sense of dignity in their care. And healthcare staff experience less burnout, greater job satisfaction, and a workplace that supports their well-being as they care for others.

So let the Danish principles of hygge inspire your wellness environment, and let us know if we can help along the way.