Lagom interiors: 10 ways to introduce the Scandi philosophy to your home
Scooch over, hygge there’s a new Scandi wellness movement on the block – and it’s having an equally big impact on home décor.
Welcome to the mindfully balanced world of Lagom interiors.
More of a philosophy than a trend, Lagom hails from Sweden and translates literally as “just the right amount.”
Effectively it means understanding when enough is enough and finding moderation rather than constantly wanting more.
It’s about the happiness and contentment we experience knowing we have everything we need to feel comfortable.
Although the practice of Lagom permeates all aspects of life, in the interiors sense this means striving to find a blend of practical and pared back.
“Extolling the virtues of balance and harmony in a Scandinavian way, Lagom is the Goldilocks of home interiors,” explains interiors therapist and feng shui expert Suzanne Roynon from interiorstherapy.com.
“It encourages an ethos of ‘not too little, not too much’ in terms of décor and ‘stuff’, i.e. the possessions which multiply so easily and can ultimately become overwhelming in even the largest of homes.”
In basic terms a Lagom-inspired home encourages people to find a middle ground through simplicity and focusing on what truly matters.
“Embracing the Lagom philosophy in your home is about finding the sweet spot within your interior design choices,” explains Melissa Denham, interior design expert at Hammonds Furniture.
“It’s not outright minimalism, but more of a balanced approach that promotes comfort and wellbeing by surrounding ourselves with only what is necessary and practical.
“This philosophy encourages us to slow down, appreciate the beauty of simplicity, and invest in quality rather than quantity.
“Which results in a harmonious living space where every element has purpose, resulting in a feeling of ease.”
How does a Lagom home differ from hygge home?
Though both movements rely on the principles of wellness, the Danish, hygge, is more about making your home feel cosy while Lagom is about creating balance.
“Lagom is more about finding balance in our homes compared to capturing that cosy feeling with hygge,” explains Amthal Karim, head of design at Furniture And Choice.
“Lagom embraces moderation and functional design with sustainability and curated style at its focus.”
As Amthal points out the Lagom philosophy strongly leans on the principles of sustainability, encouraging us to make the most of upcycling, recycling and using eco-friendly materials to ensure we enjoy home comforts, without taking too much from the planet.
Benefits of introducing Lagom interiors
One of the biggest plus points of embracing Lagom in your home is that it helps you become more intentional with your space.
“You start to focus on what you actually need and love, and that naturally creates a sense of calm,” explains Milena Vallier, interior designer at My Bespoke Room.
“It can be surprisingly freeing when you’re not trying to fill every corner or chase every trend, your home starts to feel more like you.”
Lagom is really about creating space to breathe, and a home that supports your lifestyle without getting in the way of it.
“It’s the little things, thoughtful choices, smart storage, and pieces that make you smile, that come together to create a space that feels just right,” Milena adds.
From culling then curating your clutter to embracing a less is more philosophy we spoke to the interiors experts to find out how to bring the principles of Lagom into your home.
Declutter, declutter, declutter
Decluttering always comes first in any ‘less is more’ plans, but it is important not to strip away the entire soul of your living space.
“Keep what sparks joy and serves a purpose to you,” Melissa advises.
“It’s not about getting rid of everything you own but curating what remains with care. Each item in your space should have a place that feels intentional, not overcrowded.
“This could be the perfect chair placement or a cherished painting, Lagom encourages us to focus on quality and functionality, with the goal of creating a balanced environment with just the right amount in our homes.”
If you struggle with decluttering, or find the clutter creeps back after a couple of weeks, Suzanne advises investigating the principles of Interiors Therapy to energise you to deal with it permanently.
“Interiors Therapy is a highly effective way of reframing the relationship with clutter,” she explains.
“The method connects the emotional, physical and practical effect of holding on to an excess of stuff, and results in developing a low tolerance for living with clutter now and in the future.”
When used in conjunction with feng shui Suzanne says it is easy to identify the damaging impact of clutter on the feng shui energy centres of the home (wealth/relationships/health etc) as you can directly associate the clutter with what’s happening in your life.
“Basically, if your clutter is all in the centre of your home, you will be experiencing problems with your health,” she adds.
“Clutter in the Southeast – financial struggles; Southwest – challenging romantic relationships and so on….”
Edit don’t purge
When it comes to bringing that Lagom feeling into your home, Milena says she tells her clients to start slow.
“You don’t need to live in an empty room to enjoy a sense of calm, it’s more about curating your space so it’s filled with things that are useful, meaningful, or joyful,” she explains.
She suggests walking around your home with fresh eyes and asking yourself: “Would I miss this if it were gone?”
“You’ll be surprised how much space you can free up when you let go of the ‘just in case’ stuff,” she adds.
Lagom interiors: step up your storage
For those wanting to embrace the Lagom philosophy in their homes, built-in storage is a game changer, especially for busy households.
“It keeps clutter out of sight while still being accessible, and it gives everything a proper home,” explains Milena.
Melissa agrees that fitted furniture is a great way to keep clutter at bay, and helps to craft a calm, simplistic and considered aesthetic – allowing your most cherished pieces to shine.
“Even something as simple as a slimline hallway console or a bench with hidden storage can help a space feel more organised and less chaotic,” Milena adds.
Display less, but better
Instead of filling every shelf for the sake of it, Milena suggests choosing a few items you really love and giving them breathing room.
“A beautiful keepsake you picked up on holiday, a photo you smile at every time you walk by – those are the things that deserve pride of place,” she continues.
“Negative space is powerful, it lets the pieces that really matter shine.”
Lagom interiors: go natural
Materials are key in a Lagom-inspired space.
“Try to choose natural, tactile finishes that wear in beautifully over time, like wood, linen, ceramic, or wool,” suggests Milena.
“These materials have an honesty to them, and they naturally soften a room, making it feel more relaxed and grounded.”
Even if you’re not doing a full room makeover, swapping synthetic throws for wool or plastic planters for terracotta can make a real difference.
“Not only do these choices add warmth and texture, but they also have a more positive impact on the environment,” Milena continues.
“By selecting fewer, more curated pieces made from natural materials that are built to last, you’re contributing to a more sustainable and mindful way of living.”
Introduce ‘Lagom’ lighting
Lighting also plays a big role in Lagom-inspired interiors.
Milena recommends making the most of natural light wherever possible by keeping windows unobstructed and using light, airy fabrics for window treatments.
“In the evening, layer soft lighting, think warm-toned bulbs, floor lamps, and dimmable sconces to create a calm, cosy feel,” she adds.
Buy less, but choose well
Lagom doesn’t mean buying the most expensive version of everything, but it does mean thinking carefully before you add something to your home.
“I always say, if you love it, if it’s useful, and if it’s built to last, it’s probably worth it,” Milena explains.
“That might be a beautifully made armchair, or even just a great-quality rug that ties the whole room together.”
Suzanne agrees about the importance of choosing only the things which really matter to display in your home.
“And keep your photos current,” she adds.
“If a home is full of anchors to the past rather than a vibrant, loving environment for now and the future, this really can weigh occupants down.”
Embrace a calming colour scheme
Lagom inspires a restful colour scheme for walls and floors, using neutral, unobtrusive tones as a base for each room.
“This ensures a calm and supportive foundation for wellbeing which reduces the tension of mood swings, stress and rollercoaster emotions which can be triggered by the use of strong colours,” explains Suzanne.
With that in mind, Suzanne suggests toning down heavy colours in your home.
“Intense colours are beautiful, but when you live with them on a daily basis, the impact on emotions can be potent,” she explains.
“Reds really will make you feel tetchy, irritable and occasionally angry, whilst deep blue, black and greys may result in tears, anxiety, overwhelm and even depression.
“To create a positive, nurturing space for everyone in the family, neutral colours are an excellent foundation,” Suzanne adds.
Find the beauty in functionality
As we’ve discovered Lagom is about creating considered spaces that feel inviting and functional.
“Shutters are a natural fit for this aesthetic, as they perfectly reflect the Lagom way of living – simple, balanced and effortlessly functional,” explains Sally Denyer, digital marketing manager at Shutterly Fabulous.
“With their clean lines and timeless appeal, they help to create calm, uncluttered spaces where natural light and privacy can be adjusted with ease.
“In soft neutrals, shutters bring a quiet harmony to the home – just the right amount of form and function, with nothing unnecessary.”
A simple stove can have a similar impact.
“Lagom is all about finding balance and creating a home that feels calm, intentional, and effortlessly comfortable,” explains Jon Butterworth, director, Arada Stoves.
“The Lagom stove was designed with exactly that principle in mind. It blends understated Scandinavian design with efficient heating, making it the perfect centrepiece for a space that values simplicity.
“With clean lines and thoughtful functionality, a simple stove doesn’t just warm a room, it enhances the sense of harmony that Lagom living is all about.”
Lagom interiors: don’t overthink it
“Above all else, don’t fall into the trap of overthinking,” warns Melissa.
“Lagom isn’t about perfect symmetry or having every item match a set aesthetic.”
It’s also not about obsessively decluttering until your home feels sterile or lifeless.
“Avoid rushing the process and be mindful not to strip away what brings warmth and personality to your home,” she adds.
Looking for more interiors inspiration? Take a look at Pistachio interiors: 11 ways to get the viral look in your home or 9 common decorating dilemmas solved by Interior Design Masters’ Ayisha
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