Friluftsliv: The Adventurous Outdoor Counterpart to Hygge Design Style | Designs & Ideas on Dornob - Feed https://dornob.com Architecture, Interior and Furniture Design Thu, 07 Aug 2025 23:57:26 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.6.1 Friluftsliv: The Adventurous Outdoor Counterpart to Hygge Design Style https://dornob.com/friluftsliv-the-adventurous-outdoor-counterpart-to-hygge-design-style/ Mon, 04 Oct 2021 15:55:36 +0000 https://dornob.com/?p=83997 If the arrival of blustery winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere has you feeling a little deflated, a fun new trend is here to raise your spirits. “Friluftsliv,” pronounced “free-loofts-liv,” is a Nordic concept that embraces interaction with the outdoors, even during rain and frigid temperatures.

The post Friluftsliv: The Adventurous Outdoor Counterpart to Hygge Design Style first appeared on Dornob.

]]> If the arrival of blustery winter weather in the Northern Hemisphere has you feeling a little deflated, a fun new trend is here to raise your spirits. “Friluftsliv,” pronounced “free-loofts-liv,” is a Nordic concept that embraces interaction with the outdoors, even during rain and frigid temperatures. The idea is to embrace nature in all of its phases and seasons, because there really is no “bad weather” as long as you’re prepared.

A Lifestyle of Outdoor Adventure

Rustic wooden bedroom adorned with string lights and thick fur throws for a decidedly friluftsliv look.

Though most people outside Scandinavia have never heard of it, Friluftsliv is far from new. Loosely translating to “open-air living,” the term was first coined in 1859 by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. Whereas the Danish term “Hygge” refers to surrounding oneself with cozy, comforting, and indulgent pleasures, especially in the home, Friluftsliv is a kick in the pants to go out adventuring for the benefit of your mental and physical health. In fact, Friluftsliv has even inspired its own law in Norway, called Friluftsloven, which includes the right to roam nearly anywhere you want. You can even major in Friluftsliv in college.

Two dogs enjoy the great outdoors while keeping themselves warm under a thick, cozy blanket.

Living space decked out in both cozy and outdoor elements for a unique Friluftsliv feel.

“Friluftsliv is not connected to a specific activity,” says Bene Lier, secretary-general of Norsk Friluftsliv, an umbrella organization of 18 Norwegian outdoor organizations. “For Norwegians, the word has a deeper meaning, like ‘disconnecting from daily stress’ and being part of the cultural ‘we,’ which binds us together as human beings as a part of nature.”

Blurring the Edges of Indoors and Out

Two women share hot tea wrapped up in cozy sweaters while enjoying the great outdoors.

A glance at the #friluftsliv hashtag on Instagram provides a great sense of what this trend is all about. Amidst all the scenic landscape shots are painstakingly curated outdoor ensembles, lantern-lit cabins, camper vans bursting with gear, campfire meals, and artfully flung woolen blankets. When it comes to fashion, Friluftsliv is all about practicality, like raincoats, sturdy leather boots, and wide-brimmed hats. But the concept applies to home decor, too.

Hand-carved spoons and cups give off a rugged Friluftsliv feel.

Cozy Friluftsliv bedroom complete with wooden bunk beds and an old candle.

A big part of Friluftsliv is inviting the outdoors into your living spaces. Bring in the textures, colors, materials, and scents of your favorite landscapes to make your home feel more cheerful even in the darkest months. Houseplants, dried greenery, framed nature scenes, rustic wooden objects, and even scented candles can help set the mood, infusing the spirit of the Friluftsliv lifestyle in every corner of your home. These visuals and sensory triggers can help us feel connected to “kos,” the Norwegian word that means “having a good time.”

Cozy outdoor fire pit surrounded by a thick blanket of snow.

This mostly-wood backyard fully embraces the Friluftsliv spirit with a luxurious hot tub and hanging string lights.

Creating transitional spaces between your home and the outdoors can also help enhance a sense of Friluftsliv in your life. Give your patio, balcony, or backyard a cool-season makeover with a fire pit, some soft throw blankets, and an abundance of candles and lanterns.

Decorating with Outdoor Gear

Gorgeous Friluftsliv master bedroom adorned with natural elements like a butterfly species chart.

Rustic, outdoorsy-feeling living space embraces the Friluftsliv spirit.

To really nail Friluftsliv as a design aesthetic, create little vignettes that suggest you’re always in the process of leaving for another adventure. Hang items like sleds, snowshoes, and oars on the walls as decor, and set up a rack with all your outdoor layers like coats, gloves, and boots near the door. But even more importantly, actually use all that stuff.

Outdoor essentials like hiking boots, a solid backpack, and a wide-brimmed hat.

Having these items visible in your home can help remind you of how good it feels to get outside in the fresh air, stretch your legs and challenge yourself physically, or just find a dry place to sit and relax. The 21st century essence of Friluftsliv is disconnection from the digital world, for however long you can get away with it. So wrap up, stay warm, and get ready to look on the bright side of wintertime.

The post Friluftsliv: The Adventurous Outdoor Counterpart to Hygge Design Style first appeared on Dornob.

]]>