Living Lagom, not Minimalism

Several colors, not the Holi festival at home. Several combinations, not a store of building materials. We believe in simplicity without frills. The Swedes do the same, and they’ve came up with a special concept called “lagom”.

Aristotle would approve

People often confuse lagom with minimalism. If the philosophy of minimalism sounds as ‘less is more’, lagom embodies the golden mean of Aristotle. Not too little, not too much, just enough.

In the book ‘The Lagom Life: A Swedish way of living’, Elisabeth Carlsson backs us in the viking days. They had a tradiyion tp pass a bowl around (laget om). Everyone got the fair share taking a sip. A ritual turned into the philosophy and apecial attitude to the world, when you avoid excesses looking for the outside and inside balance.

We all have sinned leaving the store with a cup (even if you couldn’t close a cupboard with utensils) or an oh-so-beautiful pillow.

Lagom is to feel the balance. Unlike minimalism, you can decorate a house and even need it. Just pick up the things consciously and don’t be a magpie.

Simple is enough

Fastfood fashion and all the things, that like a fried cutlet fall apart, aren’t lagom. Prefer one good chair to 10 bad ones. Choose one that you’ll cherish and argue with family to sit on.

Materials show naturalness and eco-friendly simplicity. Our favorites are wood, concrete, stone and flax. Also we like working with clay using it for walls or creating ceramics.

• Lagom shows natural, restrained colors. At the same time, there is always an accent in the interior. It can be wallpaper with floral ornaments or striped textiles.

Buying a lamp for the Swedes is more important than buying a dining table. Light is a key component of the design. Using lamps, pendant lights, dots, and chandeliers they compensate for long dark winters. Even the smallest flats are light, easy and lagom.

Every person has own definition of lagom. It is important to find ‘your’ things, when you look at and realize ‘that’s exactly what it is.’ Because a house is not only a place to sleep. It is a place of inner balance and rest.