Niki Brantmark - Lagom: Not Too Little, Not Too Much: The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life

Its quite unbelievable how many people have contributed to this book its truly been a team effort! To mention them one by one would require a whole new chapter. Many have entrusted me with tips, knowledge, personal experiences, DIY ideas and recipes over the past few months; others have opened their hearts and minds to make me feel welcome in my wonderful adopted home of Sweden. Some have been there for me over a lifetime.

I have tried my best to thank everyone individually. However, I would like to emphasize just how grateful I am for the love, support and words of encouragement. It has been just right!

Alejandro Escamilla/Unsplash

Happiness begins at home (or is that charity?). Either way, research shows that our environment affects our stress levels, which in turn affects our physical well-being. After all, home is where we start and end our day. And, in my mind, if theres one area where Swedes have truly triumphed, its in the home. The typical Scandinavian home is the very essence of lagom. Its neither too sparse nor too fussy, neither overly minimalist nor overdone. In other words, Swedes have the balance just right. But how?

When it comes to decor, our Nordic friends exercise a huge amount of restraint. Walls are often white or light grey. Not only do these muted tones brighten the space but they also create a wonderfully serene feel. Nothing brash, nothing loud, no bold patterns just calm.

Furniture and accessories are carefully thought out, too. New pieces are chosen for practicality as well as aesthetic appeal. Nothing is superfluous, with no frills or over-the-top designs. Single items are set apart to give them breathing space, helping the eye see the beauty in every piece. Ultimately, the home becomes a little oasis, a haven from the busy world outside.

Siebe/Unsplash

CLEAN + CLUTTER-FREE

Generally speaking, Swedes have a natural ability to maintain an uncluttered home. They simply dont have much stuff and they dont hoard. If we wish to achieve a simple, balanced lagom way of life, we first need to rid ourselves of all the things that clutter our homes.

Signs you need to de-clutter

+ You have an entire cupboard or room for items you never use.

+ Or, you wish you had an extra room for storing your clutter.

+ It takes you more than five minutes to find something youre looking for.

+ You feel stressed at the thought of friends coming over (or, worse still, turning up unannounced) because you have so much to clear away first.

+ You own items you neither use nor find joy in.

You may be lucky enough to have a neat and tidy haven already, in which case congratulations! Youre well on your way to a lagom life (in the home, at least). But if you checked more than one of the boxes above, theres work to be done.

De-cluttering

Many of us are guilty of owning too much stuff. That cupboard with boxes of photos circa 1984, old mobile phones the size of a brick, keys for the garden shed at your last house. Weve become a world of hoarders, because, lets face it, its very hard to let go of things. Maybe you bought it because you thought youd need it at some point. It may still have a price tag on it, and you feel guilty about getting rid of something brand new. Or you may have received a gift or inherited something you know youll never use but cant bring yourself to throw away. No matter the reason, these items are cluttering up your home and having a negative effect on your well-being.

Scientists list distraction, anxiety, guilt, embarrassment and frustration among the negative effects of hoarding. Furthermore, clutter makes it harder for us to relax and inhibits our creativity. Yikes!

Ultimately, de-cluttering is an exercise in willpower and self-control, but its certainly not impossible. And it can also be an incredibly therapeutic process. Not only do you experience direct financial, emotional and physical benefits but it also paves the way to a blissfully neat and tidy home. So, lets get started.

Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.

William Morris

Niki Brantmark

Ten simple ways to de-clutter your home

Create a de-clutter to-do list, crossing off each task as you complete it.

Dedicate ten minutes each day to one task (baby steps, my friend).

Go one room at a time and organize items into three boxes: keep, donate and throw away (never a maybe box speaking from experience!).

Follow the one in, one out rule for everything you buy, one thing goes.

Fill a bin bag a day with items you no longer need.

Reduce the area where clutter can accumulate dedicate a container for toiletries or a folder for paperwork. If new items dont fit, then its time to re-think whats in the area and get rid of something.

Take out all the items in your wardrobe. Remove five hangers and then put everything back in order of preference. Anything that doesnt have a hanger goes.

Create a memory box or use an accordion organizer for your kids drawings and other treasured items.

Keep a basket or bag by the stairs or in a spot that accumulates clutter and slowly fill it with items. Once its full, sort through and put everything back where it belongs.

Stick to the one-touch rule for paperwork: sort it as soon as it arrives by recycling, filing or taking action.

FURNISHING YOUR HOME, THE LAGOM WAY

Swedes have an innate ability to furnish a home in a way thats practical, easy on the eye and affordable. The art, Ive discovered, is slowing down and taking your time to search for meaningful, purposeful items, such as a comfortable, ergonomic chair for a quiet read, plants that help clean the air or an ornament that puts a smile on your face.

Step inside a Swedish home and youll likely discover a selection of high-street pieces, vintage and secondhand finds, hand-me-downs, homemade items and small treasures from nature, such as plants, pebbles, shells and pine cones. The materials are honest, and the shapes timeless.

By buying less and carefully selecting what to include in your home, everything has space to shine and tell its story. And because of your patience in seeking beautifully crafted items with meaning, you will treasure them for years to come as will future generations, too!

New is not necessarily better

As a naturally nosy person (and a lover of interiors), you can imagine how thrilled I was to learn about the Swedish custom of giving a guided home tour the first time someone visits. While on these tours, it struck me that Swedes have a knack for blending furniture. I particularly admire those who create the ideal balance of old and new, vintage and modern. Its a perfectly understated way of decorating and is very much in line with the Swedish mind-set. An expensive designer lamp or armchair will be offset by a mid-century credenza to ensure the home is neither too showy nor too bohemian. Of course, its fine to own a few designer pieces, but everything should be in moderation.