Lagom in Your Home: The Scandinavian Decor Trend

You may have heard about hygge, which is a concept that prioritizes well-being and comfort above all else. Now, thanks to the Swedish culture, we’ve been introduced to lagom (pronounced lah-gum) which is a slightly different approach to life with a philosophy of “not too much, not too little, but just enough.” Why is it that the Swedes always seem to do it right?  They, along with other Scandinavian nations aren’t ranked among the happiest for no reason.

Lagom is a more balanced approach to living a happier life that can be applied to all aspects of your career, friends, design, food, and even decor.  Eliminating clutter is one piece of the puzzle, but how else can you incorporate lagom into your space?

A home atmosphere with a lighter and happier feel sounds like something we can all get on board with, right?!  Although it may sound a little like minimalism, there are some key differences and some design tips to keep in mind.

Declutter and Tidy Your Space

Lagom is all about filling your life with things that have a purpose and make you happier… in moderation. When your home contains too much clutter and useless “crap”, you may be unknowingly blocking creativity and making it difficult to relax.  Imagine how you feel whenever you tidy up a space.  For a lot of us, we feel like we can breathe again!

Toss out anything that doesn’t serve a logical purpose or stash it away and out of sight. Decorative storage baskets are great for this purpose because they keep clutter at bay without being an added eyesore.

Choose Light Toned Walls

Nothing says “calm” like simple white or light grey walls. Painting your walls these colours can help showcase your other decor elements so they can have their moment to shine without feeling overpowering.  Bright and bold colour choices can sometimes be distracting and don’t always allow you to feel relaxed.

Busy patterns are a no-no, but you can feel free to experiment with other neutral tones as well as bolder colour options such as deep blues, greens, and oranges. However, do so in moderation and only to help balance the room.

Touches Of Natural Materials

Plants and natural elements like wood are perfect for a lagom space.  Not only will they add a little texture, but they will brighten up any area without the added clutter. Plants are also known to help reduce stress, so including at least one of your choice in your home has its emotional benefits as well!

Try using cotton and wool knits, blankets, and cushions and even botanical artwork.

Use Natural Light

One other characteristic of a lagom home is the use of as much natural light as possible. When combined with light toned walls, the effect of natural light is greater because the light has the ability to bounce off the walls, in turn brightening the room.

When playing with natural light, keep your windows feeling as open as possible, possibly using sheers instead of thick curtains.

For a touch of warmth, candles in your decor can make any interior feel super cozy!

Balance Your Furniture

In lagom decor, every piece of furniture should have a purpose. It is common to have both vintage and new furniture in a space, but each piece should have a function and details that you love. Feel free to re-purpose vintage finds if they hit these marks!

Leaving a little breathing room around each piece will help to showcase each item and allow you to appreciate its individual beauty.  As well, simple pieces that compliment one another rather than battle with each other are crucial in any lagom space.

Ditch The Carpets

Swedes don’t favour carpet as it’s seen as unhygienic. Instead, place rugs around your rooms to add some colour and warmth. Rag rugs which are made with scraps of fabrics or old clothing are common in Swedish homes and add an element of texture and something plush to walk on.

What do you think of this trend or style of living? Are you the next Lagom-ist?

See also: How To Master The Art of Hygge

Last Updated on February 27, 2024