Forget Lagom – Here Are the Scandi Trends You Should Be Embracing
People are abuzz about ‘lagom’, a Swedish approach to life. But are there better tips to take from the Nordic countries?
Kate Burt
20 January 2017
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and various magazines. I'm now excited to part of the editorial team at Houzz UK & Ireland, bringing the best of British and Irish design, interiors and architecture to Houzz.com.
Houzz UK. I'm a journalist and editor, previously for the Independent, Guardian and... More
Last year, hygge, the Danish term that Visit Denmark describes as meaning “creating a nice, warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people around you”, became a ubiquitous lifestyle buzzword. Perhaps no surprise, since the Scandi lifestyle is endlessly fascinating to many of us. And now, hot on hygge’s trail, comes lagom – a Swedish word meaning “not too much, not too little – just enough”. Suddenly, this little word is everywhere: but, in Sweden, is it really any more of a lifestyle trend than “middle-of-the-road” is here?
Ulrika Hydman-Vallien, a Swedish artist and designer who is famous for her colourful glass for Kosta Boda, defines her style as decidedly non-lagom. “For me,” she explains, “lagom is: the expected; in-between; nice and boring; blandly Swedish.”
Interior designer Andre Schievink is Dutch, but lives and works in Sweden. “As a Dutch designer in Stockholm, I’ve always found the word negative. I don’t want to be called a lagom designer, nor do I want my design to be perceived as lagom. For me, lagom is not too much, not too little, just in the middle, and the most important thing in my profession is not to be in the middle – I want to stand out from the crowd and be seen.”
Swedish upholsterer Kerstin Jansson says, “For me, lagom suggests limitation. I don’t think Swedish design is lagom at all; we have so many talented designers, interior designers, architects and others who think outside the box and who are creative without losing the Nordic touch.”
Ulrika Hydman-Vallien, a Swedish artist and designer who is famous for her colourful glass for Kosta Boda, defines her style as decidedly non-lagom. “For me,” she explains, “lagom is: the expected; in-between; nice and boring; blandly Swedish.”
Interior designer Andre Schievink is Dutch, but lives and works in Sweden. “As a Dutch designer in Stockholm, I’ve always found the word negative. I don’t want to be called a lagom designer, nor do I want my design to be perceived as lagom. For me, lagom is not too much, not too little, just in the middle, and the most important thing in my profession is not to be in the middle – I want to stand out from the crowd and be seen.”
Swedish upholsterer Kerstin Jansson says, “For me, lagom suggests limitation. I don’t think Swedish design is lagom at all; we have so many talented designers, interior designers, architects and others who think outside the box and who are creative without losing the Nordic touch.”
We spoke to the Swedish Houzz Nordics editor-in-chief, Sara Norrman, and Houzz Denmark editor, Kasper Iversen. Here, they put lagom to one side and share their region’s best tips for life and home.
Embrace homeliness
Contemporary Scandi homes may be typically minimal and all about pale colours and clean lines, but look more closely and you might see they’re also hemtrevliga (homely) and ombonade (snuggly). These two Swedish words sum up the enviable lived-in-ness of some of our favourite Scandi interiors.
The trick is to create warmth with texture and materials rather than colourfully competing features or strong patterns. This inviting Swedish bedroom, mixing bare brick, wood, voile, crisp bed linen and soft throws – but all in muted hues – shows exactly how it’s done.
Daily habits to help keep your home clutter-free
Embrace homeliness
Contemporary Scandi homes may be typically minimal and all about pale colours and clean lines, but look more closely and you might see they’re also hemtrevliga (homely) and ombonade (snuggly). These two Swedish words sum up the enviable lived-in-ness of some of our favourite Scandi interiors.
The trick is to create warmth with texture and materials rather than colourfully competing features or strong patterns. This inviting Swedish bedroom, mixing bare brick, wood, voile, crisp bed linen and soft throws – but all in muted hues – shows exactly how it’s done.
Daily habits to help keep your home clutter-free
Be pale, but interesting
In another very inviting and homely Scandi space, colour – or, rather, playing it down – again comes to the fore.
We might picture the typical Swedish or Danish interior to be painted uniformly in brilliant white. In fact, it’s all about layers of monochrome. Sticking to a strict grey/white/black palette and only introducing other hues in the form of natural materials and elements can be relaxing. It’s also helpful if you’re an apprehensive decorator and stylist, since you’ll always know whether a particular item will go well in your space before you even try it.
In another very inviting and homely Scandi space, colour – or, rather, playing it down – again comes to the fore.
We might picture the typical Swedish or Danish interior to be painted uniformly in brilliant white. In fact, it’s all about layers of monochrome. Sticking to a strict grey/white/black palette and only introducing other hues in the form of natural materials and elements can be relaxing. It’s also helpful if you’re an apprehensive decorator and stylist, since you’ll always know whether a particular item will go well in your space before you even try it.
Don’t be afraid…
In Scandi style, especially perhaps among the design-conscious Danes, pointedly standing out from the crowd is not the style aspiration it is in the UK and Ireland, where we prize individuality and, stereotypically at least, aim to outdo our neighbours rather than sync with them.
So having a home that looks very similar to your neighbour’s is not quite the no-no it can be here.
In Scandi style, especially perhaps among the design-conscious Danes, pointedly standing out from the crowd is not the style aspiration it is in the UK and Ireland, where we prize individuality and, stereotypically at least, aim to outdo our neighbours rather than sync with them.
So having a home that looks very similar to your neighbour’s is not quite the no-no it can be here.
…to blend in
The overall style – pale, pared-back and peppered with classic designer pieces and natural materials – may seem from the outside like a Scandi home’s ‘uniform’, but there are plenty of differences and variations to be had within this tried, tested and globally popular look.
Danish homes are more likely to be distinguished by the different designer pieces in them. They’re also typically more restrained than Swedish interiors, which are often less about high design and more about how a design democracy (think Ikea) can help you to have a home that’s stylish but not showy-offy.
The overall style – pale, pared-back and peppered with classic designer pieces and natural materials – may seem from the outside like a Scandi home’s ‘uniform’, but there are plenty of differences and variations to be had within this tried, tested and globally popular look.
Danish homes are more likely to be distinguished by the different designer pieces in them. They’re also typically more restrained than Swedish interiors, which are often less about high design and more about how a design democracy (think Ikea) can help you to have a home that’s stylish but not showy-offy.
Enjoy your afternoons
This is one we might only be able to dream of… The working day in Scandinavia typically ends earlier than it does in the UK and Ireland. It’s not uncommon to knock off at 4pm (after perhaps starting earlier and taking a short lunch), so the afternoon becomes a period in the day when you’ll often be able to enjoy being at home, whether chilling out alone with a book, keeping on top of life admin, or hanging with the family before dinner gets underway. Sensible, civilised and deeply enviable!
This is one we might only be able to dream of… The working day in Scandinavia typically ends earlier than it does in the UK and Ireland. It’s not uncommon to knock off at 4pm (after perhaps starting earlier and taking a short lunch), so the afternoon becomes a period in the day when you’ll often be able to enjoy being at home, whether chilling out alone with a book, keeping on top of life admin, or hanging with the family before dinner gets underway. Sensible, civilised and deeply enviable!
Cherish nature
The Scandinavians are champions of the great outdoors – especially inside the home.
Whites and greys may be key design staples in Nordic interiors, but let’s not forget wood. It’s the magic ingredient that keeps Scandi style warm and inviting, even while broadly cool in tone. So bare those floorboards, or add timber in the form of furniture or accessories, such as picture frames or bowls.
Houseplants – not, of course, those featuring brightly coloured flowers – will also soften a minimal space. Layer up with vases of pale blooms, wool and jute rugs, rattan, battered leather and natural stoneware – and enjoy the feeling of slowly exhaling as you survey your relaxing surrounds.
The Scandinavians are champions of the great outdoors – especially inside the home.
Whites and greys may be key design staples in Nordic interiors, but let’s not forget wood. It’s the magic ingredient that keeps Scandi style warm and inviting, even while broadly cool in tone. So bare those floorboards, or add timber in the form of furniture or accessories, such as picture frames or bowls.
Houseplants – not, of course, those featuring brightly coloured flowers – will also soften a minimal space. Layer up with vases of pale blooms, wool and jute rugs, rattan, battered leather and natural stoneware – and enjoy the feeling of slowly exhaling as you survey your relaxing surrounds.
Remove your shoes
In Nordic countries, there’s a seasonally practical reason to remove one’s shoes at the door. In a word: snow. But it’s a habit that sticks year-round. Many non-Scandinavian homes, however, have a tricksy relationship with the shoes-on/shoes-off situation in the home: is it officious to request guests bare their socks? Is it unhygienic not to? If you have guests over, should you all sit or stand around with slippers on? (Bringing your party shoes, but clean and in a bag, to don upon arrival is one Scandi-inspired tip on that last count, another is to have a bag of guest slippers by the door). It’s a debate that could run and run.
Footwear etiquette aside, there’s something lovely about only ever padding around at home in slippers or socks, knowing your floors are free from outdoor grit and ever-welcoming. It’s a habit that also has a lot in common with putting on jogging bottoms once inside the front door. It makes you feel “ahhhh”. And that’s a lifestyle habit definitely worth considering.
British homes in particular don’t typically have the dedicated entrance area you’ll see in most Scandi homes, lined with neatly arranged footwear. But there are lots of UK-friendly ways to create more space in your hallway.
Check out 10 brilliant ways to use wasted space in the hallway
In Nordic countries, there’s a seasonally practical reason to remove one’s shoes at the door. In a word: snow. But it’s a habit that sticks year-round. Many non-Scandinavian homes, however, have a tricksy relationship with the shoes-on/shoes-off situation in the home: is it officious to request guests bare their socks? Is it unhygienic not to? If you have guests over, should you all sit or stand around with slippers on? (Bringing your party shoes, but clean and in a bag, to don upon arrival is one Scandi-inspired tip on that last count, another is to have a bag of guest slippers by the door). It’s a debate that could run and run.
Footwear etiquette aside, there’s something lovely about only ever padding around at home in slippers or socks, knowing your floors are free from outdoor grit and ever-welcoming. It’s a habit that also has a lot in common with putting on jogging bottoms once inside the front door. It makes you feel “ahhhh”. And that’s a lifestyle habit definitely worth considering.
British homes in particular don’t typically have the dedicated entrance area you’ll see in most Scandi homes, lined with neatly arranged footwear. But there are lots of UK-friendly ways to create more space in your hallway.
Check out 10 brilliant ways to use wasted space in the hallway
Favour fika
Enjoying fika – coffee and, usually, a sweet treat – is perhaps less about the consumables on offer and more about taking time to create a little pause in your day.
Often, it’ll be with friends or work colleagues, but fika can also be enjoyed on one’s own. Either way, it’s a joyful little moment away from the bustle of whatever’s going on in your day to collect your thoughts or to take your attention away from the daily grind (or perhaps to rest during a particularly tiring shopping trip).
It’s like tea and cake, but in Sweden it’s a culturally important daily habit rather than a special treat. Yes please.
Do you have a lifestyle philosophy you swear by? Tell us all about it in the Comments below.
Enjoying fika – coffee and, usually, a sweet treat – is perhaps less about the consumables on offer and more about taking time to create a little pause in your day.
Often, it’ll be with friends or work colleagues, but fika can also be enjoyed on one’s own. Either way, it’s a joyful little moment away from the bustle of whatever’s going on in your day to collect your thoughts or to take your attention away from the daily grind (or perhaps to rest during a particularly tiring shopping trip).
It’s like tea and cake, but in Sweden it’s a culturally important daily habit rather than a special treat. Yes please.
Do you have a lifestyle philosophy you swear by? Tell us all about it in the Comments below.
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Fika (pronounced feekah) is a great tradition that I miss. In Sweden you are invited to fika no matter what time of day. Imagine when my parents invited some American tourists over for fika at 10 pm. The sun was still up and so were the poor Americans until 4 am.
The shoes off rule is one we adhere to in Canada as well. You have to really work hard to convince a person to leave their shoes on if they need to for some reason. I think padding around in sock feet in someones house helps to make you feel relaxed and at home.
Even in the U.S. I think people are beginning to take their shoes off. I'm hit or miss myself but my son and and his wife are quite consistent. Either that or you should wipe them with a damp cloth. When I lived in N Y City I always washed my hands the instant I came in and, if wearing sandals in the summer, washed my feet as well. Always ask when you visit.
I love Scandinavian style though I only practice it in my bedroom-ivory walls, white or aqua linens, white voile curtains, white woodwork, light colored palette for the art, a natural wood armoire with carved roses. And the rug is a slate blue, salmon, moss and coffee colored Bokhara . It is such a peaceful space in which to sleep. The rest of my house is very colorful-somewhat Mexican inspired-oranges, corals, lime greens and lots of colorful art. For those who don't like it you don't have to have it but I do not understand the hostility to the style.