Instead of hygge: what is lagom and how to add Swedish well-being to your life

Following Danish hygge, the world has once again turned its attention to Scandinavian secrets to happiness. Now it's Sweden's turn, where a philosophy called “lagom” reigns supreme. This word can be translated as “just right,” “optimal,” or “enough.” If hygge is about comfort and small joys, then lagom is about balance and awareness in everything.

Lagom is not a strict set of rules, but rather an internal compass. It helps you find a happy medium between work and leisure, noisy parties and quiet, shopping and sensible consumption. It's about not denying yourself, but also not overdoing it, finding satisfaction in just enough.

Putting this principle into practice is easier than it seems. It could be giving up unnecessary interior items in favor of space and light. Or the habit of drinking coffee from your favorite mug, without rushing, completely focused on the moment. It is choosing quality over quantity, whether it be food, clothing, or experiences.

Swedish well-being, based on lagom, is a way of life without extremes. It becomes more sustainable, meaningful, and peaceful. Let's figure out how small changes in everyday habits can help each of us find our own perfect balance.

A few facts

• Lagom means “enough,” “just right,” and the word Lagomlandet (literally “the country of lagom”) is unofficially used to refer to Sweden.
• Lagom has its roots in the Viking era. The Swedish ethic of moderation originated when the distant ancestors of modern Swedes, passing around a cup of drink, drank as much as they wanted, without forgetting about the others.
• Vogue magazine was one of the first to announce the lagom trend, publishing an article about it at the beginning of the year.
• The number of posts under the hashtag #lagom on Instagram has recently approached 40,000.

What is it?

Lagom is a philosophy, or rather a way of thinking, based on the characteristics of the Swedish mentality and the everyday habits of the country's inhabitants.

Lagom suggests adopting the centuries-old experience of pragmatic Swedes in order to, first, approach any life issue with rational moderation—from the size of your breakfast portion to your attitude toward work—and, second, live in harmony with yourself and those around you. Finally, it encourages us to learn how to solve environmental problems, starting with ourselves, of course.

Lagom is not about perfection or comfort, like hygge, but about finding the golden mean: having just enough, without excess or deficiency. This is how Swedes live — they do not strive for excess, but they do not go without what they need either. It is about balance: in food, work, communication, and money. Lagom is when you don't chase after the unnecessary, don't compare yourself to others, and feel calm. Adding it to your life is simple: start noticing when “enough” is enough, get rid of the unnecessary, and trust the feeling that everything is fine as it is.

So, does living according to the principle of lagom mean saving and restrictions?

Not quite. Lagom är bäst, as they say in Sweden, which literally means “the right amount is better” or “the golden mean.” Lagom is about buying three chairs instead of six if you live alone or with a cat and meet your friends in a café or at the most hospitable person's house. And it's about buying six chairs instead of three if you meet at your place.

So, what do you need to do to find your happy medium?

It is important to focus on your own needs and live without excess, but especially without being greedy. Set aside a little time each day to take a look at yourself and your lifestyle, and you will be able to understand what you need and how much of it.

By the way, why not try the traditional Swedish fika? Take a break every two hours, chill out for fifteen minutes, and have some coffee. This ritual is super popular in Sweden and totally in line with lagom.

What does a lagom-style interior look like?

First and foremost, it is an environment designed for many years of use. The race for the latest fashions contradicts the Swedish idea of the ideal interior. Buy only reliable, timeless furniture and choose high-quality, neutral finishes. Yes, sometimes it is not cheap. But such investments pay off handsomely.

Take a look at furniture created by Scandinavian designers—it is unpretentious, understated, and more of a backdrop than an accent, but always comfortable and, most importantly, durable. Or check out our online store: we have selected just that.

And what does ecology have to do with it?

Behind the question familiar to every Swede, “Is it really necessary?” lies a desire to reduce the consumption of energy and water resources that could have been used to manufacture a particular product. Therefore, making the world more environmentally friendly is not just a lofty goal, but one of the foundations of lagom.

And anyone can do it. Sort your trash, recycle paper, visit flea markets, and update and extend the life of old chairs and dressers. Reduce consumption, reuse, recycle (or Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) — that's what lagomers are calling for.

By the way, who are they? Where can you find lagom ideas and life hacks?

Swedish furniture giant IKEA is one of the most active followers of lagom. As part of its Live Lagom project, the company holds master classes and helps people choose products for a balanced, eco-friendly lifestyle. Project participants share their experiences: you can watch short videos and browse brochures on the website.

Many believe that the minimalist IKEA, whose entire product range is created with care for the environment down to the last screw, is the embodiment of lagom. However, the company's founder, Ingvar Kamprad, can safely be considered the main proponent of lagom. The billionaire buys clothes at sales, does not consider it necessary to spend money on expensive airline tickets and flies economy class, and his house is furnished with furniture from the same IKEA — everything is just like ordinary Swedes.

But what if you still want candles, blankets, and coziness?

Yes, please! First of all, add live plants. Lagomers not only decorate their homes with them, but also actively grow them there. Greenery in cute pots is a simple and eco-friendly way to easily spice up even the most unpretentious setting.

In decor, as in everything else, the main thing is a reasonable sense of proportion and naturalness. You can find clear examples of the right lagom accessories in our selection.

What to read?

One of the latest releases, The Swedish Art of Living a Balanced, Happy Life by Niki Brantmark, came out about a month ago. Its author is the founder of the popular interior design blog My Scandinavian Home.

There are specialized periodicals. For the third year in a row, Lagom magazine, founded by a British couple, has been discussing how to remove the unnecessary from your life and focus on the things that really matter.

Lagom is not just a buzzword, but a very practical approach to life. It reminds us that true well-being comes not from excess, but from the ability to find a happy medium. It's about the balance between work and leisure, spending and saving, socializing and solitude.

You can start small. Take a look at your home and your schedule. What can be simplified? Where can you find time for a break? Drinking coffee from your favorite mug, turning off your work laptop at six o'clock sharp, or saying “no” to an unnecessary meeting are all small steps toward lagom.

The main thing is not to chase the ideal, but to allow yourself to be good enough. Lagom teaches us to appreciate what we have and make conscious choices. Try to bring a little of this sensible moderation into your life, and you may find that you become calmer and more satisfied without chasing the perfect social media image.