The Ultimate Lagom Guide: Turn Your Home Into a Relaxing Haven
Relaxation is something most people aspire to achieve. However, it is often not easy to attain. Between the constant hustle and bustle of the workweek and the draining obligations of your personal life, it’s difficult to invest some time into perfecting your interiors. Even though you may be busy, it’s certainly worth it to dedicate space in your schedule to being still and present in your home. This can be done best with the Swedish principle of lagom.
Similar to the Danish cultural staple of hygge, lagom takes things one step further to integrate happier, balanced, and more sustainable practices into your daily lifestyle. In plain English, “lagom” translates to “just the right amount.” It’s often associated with minimalist decor and finding satisfaction in the things you own, à la Konmari method. So, how can you simply and effectively use lagom to create a more tranquil space? Check out these helpful tips to turn your home into a relaxing haven!
Paint Your Walls
Color can be a big factor when it comes to your mood. Based on the psychology of color, bold, bright shades may cause you more stress than you realize while muted, polished tones tend to yield more restful results. Mix in some neutral hues like beige, grey, or light brown. If you’re looking for a little pop, try adding in an accent wall with a darker tint — this will ensure your home is chic and cozy all year long!
As an added perk, the colors most associated with calm spaces are typically good for your home’s resale value. Be sure to keep track of any renovations you make that will significantly improve the worth of your home. This will provide you with even more peace of mind when it comes time to sell one day. Even though it’s important to make your house a home, keeping this in mind will save you from a lot of difficulty in the future.
Room Colors & Moods: How Colors Used in Interior Design Can Affect Your Mood
Add Plenty of Wood Accents
If you’ve ever been a feng shui aficionado, you know that wood accents have certain characteristics typically attributed to a relaxed mental and physical state. Given its association with the stillness of a forest, the spread of more wooden pieces throughout your home is definitely a plus when it comes to lagom.
For a larger lift, you can add wood beams or update the flooring in your living space. Whether you choose a dark or light material is completely up to you. Some materials to consider include walnut, pine, and bamboo. However, if you’re looking to include wooden accents without taking on a new renovation project, try wooden furniture, lighting, or shelving. No matter what projects you decide to do, spreading serene architecture throughout your home is sure to soothe away any troubles you may have.
Fill Your Rooms With Comfort
Contentedness comes from within, but it can also come from wrapping yourself up in a soft blanket with your favorite book and a warm cup of cocoa! Lagom is best enjoyed by surrounding yourself with comfort and relief.
At the end of a long day, there’s nothing quite like sprawling out on the couch while binge-watching the latest release on Netflix. Make sure your space is filled with cozy accouterments — blankets, pillows, and poufs alike. Mix and match different styles and textures to fit your liking as well as to complement the rest of your home decor.
Display Your Favorite Things
If something doesn’t spark joy, toss it aside to make room for your favorite things. From photos of your favorite memories to mementos that foster happy nostalgia, the options are endless!
Pay homage to all the things that make you, you with this lagom technique. Test out your DIY chops by crafting a shadowbox filled with your favorite artifacts. Or adorn your home with special flowers and plants that help enrich your mood and strengthen your bond to nature. Whatever your preference, displaying your favorite things with pride will truly make your space feel like home.
Devote an Area for Self-Care
Self-care comes in many forms. However, it’s easy to get caught up in life’s everyday calamities and allow this vital form of relaxation to fall to the wayside. This is why it’s essential to devote an area in your home to self-care in order to add more lagom to your space.
Your bathroom or closet is a perfect place to start. Choosing a smaller area to improve will allow you to maximize your efforts and, thus, partake in some much-needed self-care practices much sooner. Try out a different skincare routine at your newly renovated vanity or do a complete wardrobe makeover in your freshly updated walk-in closet — the choice is up to you!
Feature Image: Kara Mann for McGuire Furniture
