Decorating Fears to Fearless Decorating!
Let’s talk about fears, it’s almost Halloween. Our fears have a wide range. Some of us fear ghosts, zombies, not being able to remember our stellar dance moves in a recital, fear of heights, etc. I have a fear of bears and my kids turning into adults. However, there is one fear that is becoming an epidemic and really has no merit. The dreaded decorating fears!
I’ve entered homes, whether as a decorator/home stager or as a visitor and instantly see the signs of the “fear to decorate” syndrome. Do you lack rhyme or reason to your room displays? Do you see scarce rooms, bare walls, empty table tops, and no rugs? Sadly, it doesn’t stop there. A major red flag…finding boxes from a move 3 years ago still taped shut and sitting in the front room. Or worse, the phrase, my mom wants one style but my friend wants another and I can’t choose.
If you feel you are victim to this fear, here are some tips to overcome it.
First, figure out the reason for the fear. Are you afraid of messing up? Terrified to put a nail hole in the wall? Is change the problem? Do you think, the couch has ALWAYS been in that spot, it’s basically glued to the floor and can’t possibly work in any other part of the room/house?
Once the fear is realized, LET GO! All successful people have reached success with plenty of failures along the way. They figured out what didn’t work and moved on. Decorating is the same way. You can’t know what you DO LIKE until you figure out what you DON’T LIKE! In my own home, I’ve messed up, learned my lesson and am grateful for those experiences. So go ahead, put a nail hole in the wall (they are really small and can be filled easily) and if it’s in the wrong spot, you can still live a good and productive life! I promise! Try the couch/chair/table/lamp in a new spot, without any risk, and move it back if it doesn’t work.
Research
Second, do some research on you. Whose house do you like visiting? Why is that? Is it an energetic house or does it have a relaxed feel? Decide what style you want reflected in your home. Bright, bold colors will create an energetic feel in your home, while earth tones (blue, green, brown) create a more soothing feel. When you figure out how you want your home to inspire you, build your décor style from there.
Lastly, I have had clients fall in love with a room one day, then call the next day to say, my mom doesn’t like it, my sister isn’t into blue tones or my neighbor commented it wasn’t HER style. May I be bold? IT’S YOUR HOUSE! Sure, you want it to be pleasant when people come over, but YOU live there. There will be a critic for every room, no matter the amount of time or money spent. What is important to remember is that the home should reflect you. If at the end of the day, you are the one enjoying that room and it puts a smile on your face, hand the critics blinders as they walk through the door.
Calm, Inspire, Recharge!
For most of us, a lot of our time is spent at home. When we are done with work, laptops are closed, kids are in bed, phones turned off; you need a space that will calm, inspire and recharge you for another day. You need to be surrounded by beauty and things that mean something to you. Go ahead, unpack the boxes, get out your hammer and furniture sliders, and get to work! Let go of the fear to decorate and embrace the guts to improve your situation. Of course, though, I would be happy to help you at any point! Happy Decorating!
Audrey Whiteley, CSE®
works for Balance & Harmony 360², as a Certified Staging Expert in the HOME division. The home environment affects your health, productivity, and happiness. She works with individuals who need to freshen-up outdated décor, “show” a room’s potential, or help homeowners create a lifestyle. Audrey makes the most of your surroundings whether you are staging for a quick sale, building a home, or want to elicit a more productive and peaceful setting in which to live.
Audrey Can Help Create:
- Ideas or Design Boards
- Room Layouts and Arrangements
- Organization Solutions
- Home Staging DIY Reports
- Pre-Move Prep Strategies and Moving Plans
- Purchasing and Hands-On Staging
- Project Management from Start to Finish
Check out more about Balance & Harmony 360² at:
https://plus.google.com/117432847278066142434
https://www.linkedin.com/in/balanceharmony360