10 Home Decor Items that’ll Help You Embrace Friluftsliv, aka the New Hygge
If you aren’t already familiar with the Scandinavian concept of friluftsliv (free-loofts-liv), then now’s the time to expand your horizons. The Norwegian phrase, which was first popularized by playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen, literally translates to “open-air living,” and it’s all about the emotional and physical value of spending time outdoors. Trend expert Dayna Isom Johnson of Etsy recently declared friluftsliv the “new hygge.”
The good news is that even during the winter months, when it’s often colder and harder to spend lots of time outside, you can still make your home decor friluftsliv-friendly without breaking the bank. From forest-scented candles to tabletop fire pits and more, these 10 decor items—all under $50—will bring energy from the great outdoors into your indoor spaces.
1. Indoor Wildflower Field
Dreaming of running through a field of wildflowers, but stuck inside a city apartment? I feel you, and that’s why you need this geranium, lilac, and eucalyptus-scented candle to mentally transport you there. After the wax has burned down, the pretty ceramic vessel transforms into a planter, and better yet, comes with a kit of everything you need—seeds, grow medium, and plant food—to nurture daisies in your windowsill or another sunny spot.
Buy: Glow And Grow Wildflower Fields Indoor Garden Kit, $35.00 from Verishop
2. Removable Cloud Wallpaper
Searching for an easy, affordable way to bring some of the great outdoors inside? This peel-and-stick wallpaper features a dreamy cloud motif that will transform your bedroom ceiling or a living room accent wall into a bright blue sky.
Buy: RoomMates Cloud Peel & Stick Wallpaper in Blue, $29.99 for a 20.5-inch by 16.5-foot roll from Target
3. Landscape Art
An eye-catching piece of outdoorsy art can work wonders in a room without a view. This beautiful art print features a mountain landscape taken by a photographer hiking in the North Cascades in Washington. Give yours the gallery treatment by framing it or hanging it from a set of wooden dowels.
Buy: Kurt Rahn Mountains Through The Trees Art Print, Starting at $19.00 for an 8-inch by 10-inch print from Urban Outfitters
4. Personal Indoor Fire Pit
No fireplace at home? No problem. This soot- and smoke-free mini concrete tabletop fire pit runs on rubbing alcohol, so it’s safe to use indoors to create a warm and toasty ambience during the cold weather season.
Buy: ExothermicDesigns Concrete Tabletop Fire Pit, $49.36 from Etsy
5. Dried Floral Bouquet
When you don’t have the budget to decorate your home with fresh flowers, dried floral bouquets are the next best thing. This gorgeous bunch of dried Lagurus grass, commonly referred to as “bunny tails,” comes in five pretty colorways, including pink, yellow, and teal. Whichever you choose will last pretty much forever as long as you keep them out of bright sunlight and away from moisture.
Buy: Dried Lagurus Bunch, $20.00 from Terrain
6. Teak Wood Serving Board
A little teak wood can go a long way when you’re trying to channel outdoorsy energy in your home. This all-natural serving board is made from a cross-cut section of teak root, giving it an authentically organic outline and grain. Use it for snacks during your next virtual happy hour.
Buy: Teak Root Wedge Reclaimed Wood Serving Board, $34.95 from Crate & Barrel
7. Forest Scented Candle
Few things evoke the spirit of the great outdoors like a forest-scented candle. This eco-friendly soy candle features notes of blue spruce, pine, and camphor wood oils, so burning one will make your home smell like a forest of fresh evergreens.
Buy: Montana Forest Minimalist Candle, $28.00 from Brooklyn Candle Studio
8. Stone Striker
For a small yet functional piece of friluftsliv-inspired decor, look no further than a stone match striker. Crafted from natural stones collected on riverbanks in Maine, these hand-drilled pieces are great in coffee table tableaux and can also be used to corral other little items around the house, such as bobby pins, paperclips, and toothpicks.
Buy: Beach Stone Match Striker, $28.00 from Bloomist
9. Live Edge Stand
Nothing screams outdoors like a piece of wood furniture with a live edge. This hand-carved stand on hairpin legs is made from a reclaimed wood slab and is perfect for showing off houseplants, books, candles, and other small decor items. You could even use it for serving.
Buy: ThyTrading TJ Global Natural Edge Wooden Stand with Hairpin Legs, $26.99 from Etsy
10. Natural Wood Waste Bin
Something as simple as swapping out a plastic trash can for a natural wood one can make a whole room feel lighter, brighter, and more outdoorsy. This super sleek waste bin is composed of naturally treated bent wood and will only set you back $22.
Buy: Woodrow Trash Can, $22.00 from Wayfair