Are you who you were five years ago?
Probably not. And that’s a good thing!
I read a blog post the other day on this topic. Then I heard it mentioned on a podcast this morning. And just a few minutes ago I saw a Facebook post mentioning the very same thing.
In my world, this is called a sign. Three times is a confirmation. :-)
So naturally, I had to share it with you.
The topic is simply this- Your home decor is a never ending story.
Does that make you uneasy?
If you’re doing it right, your home decor should not be a one-and-done kind of deal. Decorating your home is not something you do, and then you’re done. And the number one reason for that is this- as you continue to change and evolve, so should your home.
Renovation shows give us a false idea of how things work. A designer comes in, knocks out a few walls, decorates the whole place (in their style), and…. the end! Everyone’s happy and excited and they’re all done! Like forever.
Our homes should reflect us and if they truly do, they should also change as we change.
So how does one afford to pay for their ever changing personas?
Is this even possible?
Here’s three tips to help your home stay current with YOU:
- Never go all in on one style.
This is my general recommendation for decor anyway (it dates your home), but having to replace a few pieces is much easier and much more affordable than having to replace nearly everything in your home when you get tired of it in 3-4 years. (Dang that was a long sentence, but you get the point.) I know it’s easy to throw out a common word to define our style, but just as your personality cannot be defined with a single word or short phrase, your ‘style’ should not be described in fewer than 5-7 words. When you fill your home with objects you love vs. what fits into a certain style, it’s easier to update by just replacing a few pieces over time.
- Photo credit: @dobbinstcoop
- Shop secondhand.
Y’all know I’m a huge fan of estate sales, garage sales, craigslist and second hand stores. While it’s true that I can find unique items (and furniture) for my home, I also save a ton of money in the process.When I pay 1/4th of the retail price for a couch or 1/16th of the retail price for a rug, I don’t feel so bad about replacing it in 3-5 years. And of course, I sell my old one on Craigslist so the ‘new one’ is even more cost effective.
This doesn’t mean I didn’t know what I liked when I bought the first one, I absolutely did, but I accept that I’m changing and growing and so are my tastes.
I do find that the older I get, the better I do at choosing bigger items that are closer to who I am and how I want to be reflected in my home, which leads me to my next point, - Don’t go trendy on the big stuff.
There are some furniture styles that are classic choices. These styles have stood the test of time and are good foundational pieces in your home. These are pieces that (if they’re good quality) you can have for 10, 15+ years, regardless of the current trends. These classic styles/pieces are what you want to look for.Textiles (curtains, blankets, throw pillows, bed spreads, table cloths), Paint, knickknacks, artwork and even smaller pieces of furniture are a great way to infuse your personality into your home, over time and without breaking the bank and will not cost you an arm and a leg to replace them.
As you continue to change and grow, so should your home. You are not a stagnant being, you are learning, expanding and becoming who you were meant to be.
If your home reflects who you used to be it may be why you no longer feel comfortable there. To feel encouraged and refreshed in your home it must reflect who and what you are right now or where you want to be.
Thanks for reading, I appreciate you!
Blessings on your home,
Catrina
Change for the sake of change is not a good thing, but my experience has been that nothing remains the same year after year. This is especially true in my garden and not just because of the seasons. I have FINDS in my house that have moved from location to location, been refinished and/or repurposed several times over the years. If everyone has one I generally don’t need one. I also can’t seem to stay in step with the current color palettes. Early 80’s I painted my house, office and anywhere I was decorating in gray which I loved and enjoyed until the mid 2000’s. Now everything is gold and yellows. Although gray is now back I’m not tired of yellows, yet!!! Doesn’t matter, I am happy.
Thanks for your comment, Linda! All that matters in YOUR home is that you’re happy with it. :-)
I agree that your home should reflect you, not someone else’s idea of what it should be. To me, this means you should feel free to have things the way you like them, not setting it up to please someone else. This can be a challenge when you are sharing an abode with others. I have realized since the remodel that I have changed – what used to feel “cozy” now feels ‘overstuffed.” I also discovered the joy have having a decorator and a contractor who knew more about what works than I do, just as I did when I had the yard professionally landscaped 10 or so years ago. These folks know their business, and I was willing to learn from them. At the same time, they were not insistent on anything – they offered suggestions and advice, and gave good reasons, and so I avoided mistakes and yet felt comfortable being clear on what I did and did not want. We worked well together and ended up with a really wonderful result. A result which I have no doubt is different from what each of them has at their own homes. Regarding evolving: to me that means feeling free not to be stuck… if I want to make a change. My nature is not to make changes much once things are set up. But I feel somewhat liberated when I do.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment, Anne! It’s really amazing what a fresh pair of eyes on your space will do for you.