Work from Norway at the ultimate ‘hygge desk’: Here’s how to apply for your free digital nomad trip

Is your desk ‘hygge’? For most of us, our workspace is a cluttered nightmare, littered with stale coffee and unfinished paperwork. But what if you could work from somewhere totally hygge, in gorgeous surroundings and ultimate comfort?

That’s the offer on the table from Norwegian browser company Opera as it seeks to promote its web services.

The company is seeking ‘hygge testers’ to try out its hygge desks, positioned in some of the most stunning locations in Norway.

You could find yourselves immersed in a heart-warming six-day stay at a private cabin, with flights and ground transportation included. During your stay, testers will be able to try out the hygge desk and see for yourself just how productive the right environment can be.

“We’re developing a browser that captures the Scandinavian essence of a simple, unassuming life – one that leaves stress behind and helps our users focus on what matters the most,” says Jan Standal, VP at Opera. “We’re used to hygge in Scandinavia, but now we want our worldwide community to understand what that concept means in practice.”

What is ‘hygge’ and how does a desk fit into the concept?

In the Danish and Norwegian languages, ‘hygge’ describes a cosy, contented mood that is brought about through comfort and friendliness. Although the word is common to both languages, its meaning has found a loving home in Danish culture.

In essence, hygge embodies a sense of simplicity, cosiness, and being present. Danes seek to achieve hygge in many aspects of their lives, whether in the food they cook, the clothes they wear, or the way they decorate their homes.

As a Norwegian company, Opera wants to bring hygge to desk jobs – and has created the ‘hygge desk’ to do just that. It’s a cosy workspace adorned with furs and carefully selected facilities that promise to eliminate distractions and enhance the joy of everyday browsing.

“A hygge desk is one that allows you to leave anything annoying or emotionally overwhelming behind,” Opera says. “It accentuates both the pleasure that comes from browsing and the presence of the smallest, cosiest elements at hand – like warm lighting or an epic view of nature.”

As part of the promotion, Opera has released a helpful görüntü with a Norwegian guide demonstrating exactly what is and isn’t ‘hygge’. 

The founding principle of the promotion is to demonstrate that the Opera browser, used by only around 2.5 per cent of web surfers, is embracing hygge itself. It promises ‘private and peaceful browsing, free from interruptions,’ that it says is perfectly aligned with the principle of hygge.

For 10 lucky winners, it means a six-day visit to one of five locations in Norway, staying in a private cabin and experiencing the best of the local area. 

How to apply to become a hygge tester

Hygge testers can apply for the experience on specific dates. 

From 18-23 March, a hygge tester will be invited to Lysefjord, a stunning fjordal location just east of Stavanger. As well as browsing from your hygge desk, visitors will be able to enjoy bathing in waterfalls, hiking, and boating excursions.

From 25-30 March, the hygge desk then opens in Lofoten, where visitors will enjoy picturesque fjords, traditional fishing villages, and a chance to see the Northern Lights. In the same period, the hygge desk at Norefjell will also be welcoming visitors to its peaceful surroundings and ski resorts.

The final opportunity is from 1-6 April, when Bodø and Ålesund’s hygge desks will be open for business. Up in the north, Bodø is known for its stone-age history and moose population, while Ålesund in the west is famed for its arka nouveau architecture.

To have a chance to become a hygge tester, hopefuls can apply on the Opera website by sharing why you need a hygge desk. The company favours more creative applications, so you might like to consider sending in a picture of your non-hygge desk or writing a poem about your working life, to be in with a chance.

Applications are open from now until the end of February, with winners announced on or around 5 March. Included in the package are round-trip flights, ground transportation, and your entire six-day stay at one of the Norwegian private cabins.

Striving to embrace hygge has proven to bring many benefits to Scandinavians. While a week at a hygge desk won’t change your life, it sounds like a very good start.