IKEA, Live LAGOM, my New Sustainable Lifestyle – The End?

Live LAGOM – Ikea’s Sustainable Living Project, And My New Lifestyle

So folks, they say all good things must come to an end, well Geoffrey Chaucer did anyway and I suppose he’s right. However there’s another saying, one from Alexander Graham Bell that says ‘when one door closes another opens’, and that’s the way I feel about this last post of my Live LAGOM journey and new sustainable lifestyle.

Good ol’ Geoffrey, The Father of Literature does have a point but I’m going with science and innovation this time round and taking Alex’s optimism and wise words with me. You see, me and my little household have mastered all the sustainable living changes we’ve made over the past six months so now it’s time to master some more. To keep on going and growing. 

Lagom comes from the Swedish phrase ‘Lagom är bäst’, which means the right amount is best. Live LAGOM, I have to say was etched into my brain throughout the whole project and still lives on. I’m like Goldilocks when she finds her perfect bowl of porridge, not too hot, not too cold, just right. 

If you’re new to my Live LAGOM story have a read of my Intro, Start and Progress blog posts, they’ll help explain my journey. When you’ve caught up, come back here and have a read of how far my Live LAGOM journey has taken my family and I.

The best way I feel I can show you the changes to the two rooms we focused on for the Live LAGOM project is to show you before and after photo’s of them. We focused on our Living Room and Smith, our infant son’s room. The before photo’s were taken shortly after we moved in and the after photo’s were taken today. I have included in this post my sustainable living gems from Ikea with the prices I paid for them (prices do change so please take them as guidelines only).

Our Living Room Before & After Live LAGOM

As you know by now, Patrick and I bought and moved into our first home in November. Gone were the days of renting and we welcomed with open arms the chance to put our own stamp on our home.

Getting invited to become a Live LAGOM ambassador around the same time was fantastic timing in one sense and created a little pressure on the other. On one hand we were going to get help to live more sustainably, something we had been working on but were eager improve. 

On the other hand, our home felt like a blank canvas, so there were a number of item changes along the way (even since my last ‘Progress’ post!) as we were still finding our own home style as well as working out how we planned on living more sustainably. 

We still have a little way to go to complete this room, new couches, some furniture, art on the walls etc but we’re happy with how it’s taking shape. In Live LAGOM style we are holding onto furniture that came with the house, with the plan being to restore and redesign them to suit our home needs and style. 

As you can see we divided the Living Room into two, the fireplace movie watching side and the reading and play side. 

Although I have to tell you there really is no divide when it comes to playtime! The room is baby/toddler proofed as much as it needs to be at the moment, so it’s the perfect place for Smith to play in when he wants to (the two bottom row of shelves are his and their contents change from day to day, sometimes hour to hour!)

Here is a list of some of the Live LAGOM sustainable lifestyle gems featured in this room. Each light featured uses LED bulbs that not only last years but also use much less energy. As mentioned in my ‘Progress‘ post and this post ‘Six House Plants that Clean the Air we Breathe in Our Home‘, our house has lots of plants to help clean the air we breathe, and I bought a number of them in Ikea. Not seen here are the BULLIG and DRONA Storage Boxes that now grace the shelves of the hot press. They are a great addition and it feels good to put this space to good use, keeping bed linen and towels aired.

Heating:

• Cellular blind HOPPVALS White – 31.00 x 2 = €62.00
• Rug, low pile LAPPLJUNG RUTA White/black – €60.00

Lighting:

• Chandelier ÖRTOFTA – €120.00
• Ceiling lamp ALÄNG White – €37.00
• Floor lamp ÄLVÄNGEN White – €70.00

 

 

 

Smith’s Room Before & After Live LAGOM

It was important for us to create a space for Smith that is not only bright and cheerful but also safe, clean and healthy. 

We bought black out blinds to help him sleep, curtains and a rug to keep him warm and night lights to help him feel safe, all LED. 

Smith’s room also has a number of air cleaning plants to aid with his over all health and help him understand the importance of plant-life. Art supplies are kept tidy in the PLUGGIS bins and files. 

Here is a list of some of the Live LAGOM sustainable lifestyle gems featured in this room.

Heating: 

• TUPPLUR NNN blck-out 120×195 white – €19.00
• Curtains, 1 pair MERETE White – €35.00
• Rug, low pile TÅSTRUP Multicolour – €40.00

Lighting:

• Ceiling lamp SOLLEFTEÅ – €16.00
• Table lamp LAMPAN Turquoise – €3.95
• Wall lamp SMILA MÅNE Yellow – €7.50

 

 

So where do we go from here?

We’re saving money on our heating and energy, through our curtains, rugs, LED lighting and 30/40 degree clothes washes. I predict it will be about €10.00 per month but I’ll update this post when I get the exact figure.

We’re living healthier through the air cleaning plants we have throughout our house. We’re eating a little better, through the use of the fresh herbs I’m growing in my little greenhouse.

Food wastage is down to a minimum, and we now use a composter in the garden that not only helps with general waste but will benefit my garden when the time comes. Water wastage is limited through the use of the dish washer.

I want to improve on our recycling. I want to look at ways of ensuring our home is well insulated for the winter ahead. I want to grow more of my own food. I want to ensure that as we redecorate and design the other rooms of our home, we are just as focused on sustainable living as we were for this project.

*I’d like to thank Ikea Dublin and HUBBUB.org for inviting me to become a Live LAGOM Ambassador. I wore the title with pride and it’ll be a part of my lifestyle forever more.

PIN IT:

Don’t Forget ↓