How To Create Lagom Style On A Shoe String

Lagom, the Swedish art of living has recently become the hottest new thing.  Lagom, a Swedish word, translates to mean cosy, enough and adequate.  It’s not about overindulgence but it doesn’t go as far as bare minimalism.

Niki Brantmark, the author of ‘Lagom: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life’, and blogger of ‘My Scandinavian Home’, has teamed up with new Scandinavian homeware brand Eërtmug on 10 ‘top tips’ to creating a Scandi-style home on a shoestring.

Ten Tips

1. De-Clutter

Scandi-style is all about a minimalist, clean look. Set some time aside to work through all your belongings and sell anything on a site such as Preloved that is not deemed useful or loved. Not only will you feel more organised – but your bank account will benefit too!

2. Paint It White

The Scandinavian look is synonymous with looking fresh and light. For a super quick update, think about painting all your walls white or a soft pale grey.

3. Reflect the light

In a region, which is deprived of light for six months of the year, creating a light and airy living space is something of an obsession for Scandinavians. Use mirrors in different shapes and sizes to reflect the light into the darkest of corners.

4. Floor It

For a truly Scandinavian look, the wall-to-wall carpets need to go. Consider pulling them up (you never know, there might be a wood floor underneath waiting to take centre-stage!) and using a mix of rugs instead – they can even be layered for greater coverage.

5. Set The Mood

At sunset, Scandinavian homes are transformed into a cosy womb-like oasis. Add dimmer switches and plenty of candles to create a warm atmosphere.

6. Buy Less, Invest In High Quality

It may not sound ‘budget-friendly’ but any Scandinavian will tell you that if you invest in classic, beautifully crafted pieces made from high-quality materials, they’ll stand the test of time – they don’t need to be expensive, it’s amazing what you can find secondhand!

7. Think Multi-Functional

Scandinavians are masters at combining form with function. Look for multitasking furniture such as sofa-beds, a coffee table with built-in storage etc. It’ll mean you’ll need to invest in fewer pieces and have a more practical home to boot!

8. Retouch, Upcycle & Repurpose

Give old, tired looking pieces a new lease of life with a lick of paint, a good wax or new fabric. It’s amazing what you can find for a fraction of the price online – and with a little creativity, it could become a masterpiece. After all, one man’s trash is another man’s treasure!

9. Textiles

Add a warm and inviting feel to the minimalist home using soft, natural textiles such as linen, wool and sheepskin to ensure your home is autumn-ready!

10. Bring The Outdoors In

You are never far from nature in Scandinavia, which is why it plays such an important part in the home. Studies have shown that houseplants are great stress-busters and help to clean the air! For seasonal updates, go for a forage in the woods, along the beach, in your local park – or even in the cracks between the pavement – and create vignettes with wildflowers, pinecones, and pebbles.

I love this classic Swedish style – just not sure I can ever give up colour.  Hope this helps you create a more lagom lifestyle.

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