READING TIME: 5 MINS
(COASTAL) LAGOM
“Lagom [la-gom]. Neither excessive nor sparse, but looking, feeling and being in perfect balance.”
Let’s talk about lagom (pronounced laaaw-gum). Some say that lagom is the new hygge.
What is lagom? There is no equivalent word in the English language, but roughly translated the Swedish term means something along the lines of ‘enough, sufficient, adequate, just right’. Keeping life simple is very much at the heart of this philosophy. It is about hitting that exact sweet spot — not too much, not too little. Lagom.
And while philosophies are not exactly trends, they do influence the world of interiors... When it comes to the drift & co. style, we take influences from lagom, wabi-sabi, hygge and Kinfolk’s slow living, and combine these with coastal styles and aesthetics.
THE LAGOM CONCEPT
While the heartwarming Danish hygge promotes getting cosy with an abundance of cushions and blankets to achieve a sense of ultimate comfort, the Swedes take a more restrained approach (in a way) — lagom is all about styling your home with moderation and a clear purpose in mind - as less is more. It really is about living a frugal life with just enough possessions; a beautiful balance of comfort and utility. It appears that Ikea’s lagom campaign has very much coined the term in the world of interiors - promoting balance and function over a lavish lifestyle.
Lagom defines a sustainable way of living. A huge part of the lagom concept is taking measures to become more ‘low-impact’ and be more mindful of the effects we are having on our environment. Lagom’s underlying philosophy focuses on upcycling, recycling and repurposing, and becoming more eco-friendly using sustainable materials.
“I have always been a big advocate of coastal scandi designs - fusing coastal elements with simplistic Scandinavian décor to create a beautiful, calm and contemporary space. Coastal lagom is a match made in heaven — style and simplicity; expressed in function and form; effortlessly cool with truly timeless qualities. With the world changing due to COVID-19 and our lives slowing down, and us spending more time in our homes, I really learned to embrace lagom - bringing simplicity and a sense of balance to my home.”
LAGOM style
The lagom design style boasts pure minimalism and natural elegance. This style is hugely influenced by the minimal Scandi aesthetic that incorporates blond woods, clean lines and sculptural shapes, impeccable craftsmanship, and honest and natural materials (such as marble, wood, clay, granite and metals); with a subtle colour palette comprising earthy tones, understated greys (basically a very muted complimentary colour scheme), and accessories working in perfect harmony of their surroundings. Furnishings are not fussy or fancy – and they’ll all be sustainable. The decor represents a marriage of form and function (a little zen) with only a few key design statements — without showing off…
“Not Too Little, Not Too Much, Just Right. It’s about having just the right amount of everything.”
HOW TO Bring LAGOM INTO YOUR Home
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KEEP IT MINIMAL BUT RELAXING
Lagom is a minimal style but you can certainly make it feel snug and welcoming - embrace comfort and relaxation… Declutter and incorporate clever storage systems like coffee tables or ottomans with built-in storage to hide any items.
Lagom isn’t strictly the same as minimalism but encourages the philosophy of thinking minimal. Your space should include everything you need, but not (much) more. Nothing says calm like simple white…. Introduce a neutral and airy colour palette with different shades of white, grey and beige to increase the illusion of space; and tinted tones of blue or green for a little contrast. Opt for natural materials to add a sense of warmth (wood, wool, jute, cotton, even leather and natural stone are ideal for lagom living). Where possible, infuse your space with natural light and keep your windows feeling as open as possible.
Just like hygge, lagom embraces comfort and relaxation. Create that feeling of cosy warmth to feel fulfilled.
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FOCUS ON PRACTICALITY
Lagom-inspired furniture not only suits the size of the space itself but tends to be timeless, and above all, functional and really encourages the space to ‘flow’. Avoid cluttering the space up with bits and pieces that you don’t really need. Consider using multi-functional furniture pieces with built-in storage. The idea is to select items that work with your lifestyle rather than overcomplicate your interior design. Practicality and style go hand in hand; try to blend functional objects with an aesthetic ‘wow factor’.
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GREEN SPACE
Fill your space with plants as they offer an element of nature and sustainability. Plants help to clean the air and can improve your sense of wellbeing. Read more about biopiholic design.
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RECLAIM AND SUSTAIN
Really make a conscious effort to curate timeless quality pieces that will stand the test of time. Choose furniture that is made from sustainable materials (e.g. bamboo). Try to incorporate materials such as reclaimed wood for countertops, flooring and walls. Stay away from overly manufactured materials. Use a little creative imagination to bring much-loved pieces back to life and appreciate your décor once again in a new light. Make recycling and upcycling part of your routine. Consider paint options that are clay-based or low VOC paint (earth-friendly and help to eliminate toxins). Clean your space in a lagom-friendly way, try to use cleaning products that are not harmful to the environment.
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TONE IT DOWN
Swedish décor is stylishly understated. Keep accessories to a minimum. Strip it right back and avoid anything that could be classed as ‘in your face’.
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Create A Focal Area
Swedish design often incorporates a focal area that tends to set the tone for the surrounding space. This could be anything such as a piece of furniture or simply a lamp. A little statement piece that does not scream for attention draws the eye and establishes clarity.
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QUALITY OVER QUANTITY
Lagom is opting for quality over quantity with few key pieces to set an elegant tone and style in your space. Choose furniture pieces which are good quality and long lasting. Lagom embraces timelessness. Incorporate a design-led focus piece or focal point with down-to-earth simplicity (this could be a statement sofa, a sculpture, a wall hanging).
“Lagom is about moderation, a sense of balance and togetherness.”
Lagom is about minimising complication both in lifestyle and interiors; lagom creates happiness and balance with a stripped-back aesthetic (a timeless look). It is a philosophy that extends beyond interior design choices. It is about living with less. Wasting less. Even buying less (shop mindfully). — And slowing down.
Create that perfect balance between ‘not enough’ and ‘too much’. Everything you need – no more, and no less.