‘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 don’t fit, then it’s time to re-think what’s 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 doesn’t 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 it’s 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 that’s practical, easy on the eye and affordable. The art, I’ve 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 you’ll 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. It’s 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, it’s fine to own a few designer pieces, but everything should be in moderation.
In my mind, nothing makes a home cosier (or mysigare, as the Swedes would say) and unique than vintage pieces. Not only do they tell a story but you also feel satisfied knowing that you’re doing your bit for mother earth. And it’s amazing what you can pick up secondhand for a song, truly reinforcing the idea that ‘One man’s loss is another man’s treasure!’
Maria Gustavsson, Swedish Ninja © Niki Brantmark
Six tips for buying secondhand
Make a list (or two) Include secondhand stores, flea markets and car-boot sales in your neighbourhood. And think further afield, too, because smaller, out-of-town flea markets are often where you find the biggest bargains. Make a note of the items you’re looking to buy, too.
Check the condition Try to see the item in person so you can check for damage. If it’s not possible, request photos of any nicks or scratches and ask whether it’s in full Working order.
Measure first Make sure you know the exact dimensions of the space where you’re thinking of putting the item and take the measurements with you.
Be flexible You might not find exactly what you’re looking for, but something else equally wonderful might pop up.
Arrive early and bring cash The best things go first, so be ready to buy immediately. If you’re unsure about a price, check online for similar items to compare.
Turn it into a day out Even if you don’t find anything, a mini road trip with a friend is always fun.
Jazmin Quanor/Unsplash
Get flexible
If a brand were to be the embodiment of lagom, it’s IKEA – a company founded, of course, in Sweden. With a vision ‘to create a better everyday life for the many people’, the furniture marries function with understated form and is famous for being flat-pack and affordable.
IKEA is not alone in producing increasingly multi-purpose furniture. For example, it’s not uncommon these days for a sofa to be modular, include built-in storage and convert into a bed, or for a side table to feature a removable tray and basket for magazines. By investing in multi-purpose furniture, you automatically purchase fewer pieces (and consequently save money) and have a more flexible home.
Think practical
Your home has to be highly functional for you to feel happy and relaxed. Above all, it should be easy to live in. Swedes are masters at carving out distinct zones for living, eating and sleeping – even in the smallest spaces. Think about your requirements and try to have a space (no matter how small) dedicated to different activities. You might find that two areas can double up as one.
Tap into your inner carpenter
The cheaper and self-sufficient option, DIY is part of the lagom way of life. My Swedish husband laid our wood floor without so much as an expletive, and it’s not unusual for one of my girlfriends to whip out her toolbox when something needs fixing. Although I’m still an amateur, I find DIY liberating, satisfying and surprisingly mindful. If you don’t have one already, I urge you to buy a toolbox, look for guidelines online and unleash your inner carpenter!
CREATE A
TOOL WALL
If you like having your tools to hand, creating a dedicated tool wall in your study or garage is not only extremely handy, but can also look pretty cool. All you need is a pegboard, which you can get at any large DIY store, and accessories to hold everything from scissors and sticky tape to heavy-duty tools. Your inner creative will thank you for it!
Get crafty
I am continually amazed at how creative the Swedes are – they’re a real dab hand at upcycling and making things from scratch. Cooking and baking is one thing, but some of the items my friends knock up are awe-inspiring. Knitted cushions, handcrafted trays, even lamps and entire kitchens are pulled off