How to bring Swedish 'lagom' into your interiors, according to an expert

In a post-pandemic, hybrid working world, with more time spent at home, many of us have become obsessed with our interiors. Maybe it’s because now your colleagues have a full view of our living space via Zoom, or perhaps it’s just the simple intrinsic need to take pride in our homes. Either way, a calm, happy space at home is crucial for our productivity and general well being – that’s where the Swedish notion of lagom, meaning ‘just the right amount’, comes in – it might just be the key to effortlessly achieving balance in our homes.

‘Lagom’ (pronounced ˈlɑ̂ːɡɔm’), translates to being moderate, sufficient or, as Goldilocks so eloquently puts it, the satisfying quality of being ‘just right’. In its historical context, Swedish Vikings used it to describe the ethos of only taking what you need i.e one sip from the cup to be fairly distributed around to ensure there was enough for everyone. Founder of Scandinavian interior design studios, Mia Karlsson, shares why lagom might be the route to restoring harmony and incorporating sustainability into our home. ‘Lagom is about working as a collective, being balanced and aware opposed to self-indulgence,’ says Karlsson. Much like lagom itself, her studio shares the guiding principles of simplicity, functionality and natural solutions.

But how can this note be channelled practically in and around our own homes? Mia refers to lagom as having ‘enough in a room without being ostentatious’ and encourages you to ‘be mindful to avoid overly flashy items, opting for ones that you care for and love’. Similar to its collective style origins, lagom interiors should be inviting to guests without showing off. ‘This is embodied through serene, calm colours, plenty of light and inclusion of natural elements,’ says Mia. ‘Practicality is a core component in Swedish living, so from a design perspective avoid overfilling your space’.

In fact, a recent 2021 study found that living a more minimalist existence, i.e adopting sustainable behaviours aligned with lagom, such as recycling and decluttering, had a positive impact on people’s emotional wellbeing. It found that people flourished and feelings of depression were alleviated through more minimalist-style living.

Feeling inspired? Here are some expert tips on how to master lagom with ease.

Think clever cabinets disguised as fancy furniture, concealed units that blend into backdrops or surprise pull-out drawers. Karlsson recommends ‘for a calming space and for pieces to be spotlighted, excess items must be stowed elsewhere’. ‘Everything has its space in a Swedish Home, there are specific stowaway draws for teacups, separate to plates’ explains Karlsson, so do consider investing in storage containers or multi purpose furniture.

Championing lagom doesn't have to be costly, infact Karlsson recommends using natural inexpensive items to bring life inside the home. ‘A simple stone or shell from the beach can look fantastic on a simple white bookshelf and carry experiential meaning’. For a natural finishing touch, why not infuse your home with natural scented aromas from the garden such as lavender, flowers and herbs.

Resist the urge to fill empty spaces and instead consciously consider which items carry the most meaning. Many Swedes love to display gifted items from loved ones front and centre without cluttered, distracting objects. Think of your home as a gallery, you wouldn’t add extras that detract from the beauty of the artwork. To highlight your objects full beauty, settle for less and give them additional surrounding space to ‘breathe’.

And remember: simply focus on doing your best, with less. We rarely need more than enough, but sometimes we just need a little reminder of this to embrace a fully, balanced life.