Big house, small house, new place or old, I think most of us struggle with learning how to love the home we have while growing through the stages of making it a home. It’s especially true when you live in a project house.
Sometimes I catch myself looking around the house and mentally listing everything that isn’t perfect or done yet. I’ve even pictured what I could accomplish with unlimited funds. I could repaint the walls, get bigger windows, a few pieces of new furniture. Maybe replace my old rug, I’d install new lighting for sure.
But the truth is, I don’t have unlimited funds.
Even if I did, you guys know I suffer from DIY-itis and that alone would stop me from spending money on things I can do myself.
Like when I built my own vanity and poured a concrete counter for my new master bath addition.
The challenge is that it takes time, sometimes years to get to the point where you love the way your home looks. Some of us may never get there. So how do you love the home you’re in and overlook or deal with its shortfalls?
You fix what you can and fix your thinking on the rest.
A few years ago I read quote that left a lasting impression. I wish I could remember where I found it and who said it. It went something like this…
A well decorated home is collected,
curated over time,
with things we love that are meaningful and uniquely our own.
I read it to say, enjoy your decorating journey, it takes time, and it’s worth it.
How do you love the home you have when your home is less than perfect?
Look for the silver lining
Focus on the good. You can probably find at least one asset in each room. Focus on that and play it up. Is it a window with lots of natural light, a fireplace with a great mantle, a certain piece of furniture, a great view or a color scheme? What ever it is, draw attention to it.
Go for a mini refresh
If you’re feeling uninspired by your surroundings, go for a mini refresh. Change things up a bit. Try new colors by adding a few pillows, shop your house and move things around.
Get motivated
Asses your place and choose to tackle the one project that would make the biggest difference. Get organized and just start. Something as simple as a fresh coat of paint can transform a room in a day. Updating a dark piece of furniture can turn a ho-hum piece into something special.
Damask Stenciled Dresser Makeover
Expand your boundaries and learn
Sometimes, it’s not that you need new things, it’s more likely that your things need a new place with a fresh eye. A little decorating know-how goes a long way. Check out books for inspiration. Here are a few links of my favorite go to reading, sources I use to for inspiration. Because learning new skills can make a big difference.
Above all else, remember the pretty pictures you see in most magazines are just that, staged pretty pictures.
Look closely, you probably won’t see personal items, you may notice fabulous vignettes at places you’d never put one, and you’ll see that every item is perfectly in place. The same goes for all the bloggers with pretty rooms. Knock on their doors any day of the week, and you’ll see real life because no one lives in a room perfectly staged all the time.
It’s impossible!
These are my favorite strategies to love the home you have. Simple but helpful.
Do you have favorite strategy to share on how to love the home you have? Awesome! I’d love to hear about it.
Share in the comment section below.
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Disclosure: I may have been compensated, given product or tools that I used in this DIY post. All opinions that I share are always 100% my own. I use affiliate links in my posts. If you should make a purchase I will receive an itty bitty commission at no cost to you. Thank you in advance for supporting my blog and two fur-ball cats who believe they are privileged.
Tana Mason says
Such great advice and uplifting post. I would like to invite you to our Homesteader Hop we would love to have you! https://www.floydfamilyhomestead.com/2016/10/12/the-homesteader-hop-24/
Wendi says
Hi Tana, Thanks for your note and glad you enjoyed my home tips. Thanks so much for your visit:)
Julie @ Logger's Wife says
I love these tips. We live in a 1969 small split level ranch that was last renovated in 1990. Lots of beige and paneling and wallpaper over paneling. I’d love to paint my living room but I need to take the wallpapered paneling off first. Our house is a work in progress that is taking a long time on one income. But I do love my big picture window, new curtains make a big difference, etc. Sometimes my perspective is lacking. Thanks for the tips and reminders. 🙂 (visiting from Welcome Home Wednesday)
Wendi says
Hi Julie, I’m so glad you enjoyed this post. Living through the process of making a project home pretty is challenging. There are times I have to remind myself of how far we’ve come and to be patient too. Thanks so much for your visit!
Charlene says
Your comments about living in a “project” house are sooo true! Sometimes it is overwhelming when everywhere you look you see another project waiting to be done. We went through four years of fixing up our “other” house just the way we wanted it before deciding to move — and then found out that “move in” ready houses are only an advertising phrase so here we are again with the projects. lol! Choosing the project that will make the biggest difference for the time and the money and moving forward to complete it is great advice!
Wendi says
Hi Charlene. It is overwhelming to start from scratch. It’s taken us years to get our home to the point of looking OK even though there are still many unfinished projects. I have to work to remember the same things in our place! Enjoy your new project home, it’s a journey and each one gets better than the one before it! Thanks so much for your visit!
Amanda @The Kolb Corner says
Very good tips! I struggle with the fact that my husband and I’s home is only temporary so doing big projects to “fix” something really isn’t practical. Thank you for sharing at Merry Monday!!
Wendi says
Hi Amanda, I remember how challenging that can be, wanting to make a temporary home feel like “home”, and being limited on what I could change. So glad you liked my post. Have a great week & thanks so much for your visit and your hard work in hosting a great party!
Sandra Garth says
This is such great advice thank you!
Wendi says
Hi Sandra, So glad you found my article useful. I struggle with this and know so many others do as well. Thank you for your visit.
KariAnne Wood says
Great advice and great projects! I love that dresser! And the pedestal bowl is so pretty, too. A home that is lived in is always best. 🙂
Happy day friend!
karianne
Wendi says
Thanks KariAnne:) It takes time to make it feel like home, doesn’t it? Thanks so much for your visit!
Janet Vinyard says
Hi Wendi, Great tips! Some of the decorating sites make you wonder if anyone really lives there! Thanks for an enjoyable post! Blessings, Janet
Wendi says
Hi Janet and thank you! I agree too, sometimes I look at beautiful room photos and see how staged they are and I’m certain on a normal day they wouldn’t look like that at all. If they are like me, they opened a drawer and swiped everything inside for the photo! …sad, but true:) Thanks so much for your visit!
TwoPlusCute says
Loving the home we have is always a good suggestion and a good reminder.
Often when I google I get a little down, seeing perfect minimal homes and realizing – especially when it comes to bathrooms – that I am really far from my style and won’t get there any time soon; or ever.
Then I look at what I am doing so far and fall in love with what we have done so far and how it is turning out, surprising me like our living room.
ps. Speaking of the living room, you comment suggestion that it is dark and could use some paint while leaving the top natural….It was AWESOME. And exactly what I have in mind for it. Aaaand, I am always thinking about you when I see that coffeetable; one day when I am ready to tackle it, I will ask for your ideas. 🙂
Wendi says
Hi there! I agree, it’s good to keep things in perspective when we look at our own homes. Like you, I always feel better when I look at how far we’ve come in our house vs how much further I have to go. Somedays it’s tough to see a pretty picture and not wish we were further along. SO glad you didn’t think I was too forward with my suggestion on your coffee table! As soon as I saw your photo, the thought struck so I shared it:) You just let me know when you’re ready & I’ll answer any questions you have on painting it! LOL Have a wonderful Mothers Day!
TwoPlusCute says
I am glad you shared your opinion. Love a perspective. 🙂
Happy mother’s day to you, too. ^^
Wendi says
Thank you!
handmade by amalia says
Such a positive post and full of good advice. I like the sea-horse pillow.
Amalia
xo
Wendi says
Hi Amalia & thank you! We’ve been in our project house for 3 years living through the process of fixing it up. Somedays I love my place, somedays not so much. I know others struggle with this too. Thank you so much for your visit!
gail says
wonderful tips Wendi about loving the home you have! We all can get caught up in pretty pictures online.
pinned, so I’ll remember to look for the good in each room….
gail
Wendi says
Hi Gail! Living through the chaos, and at thimes the ugly while we’ve fixed up the house for the last 3 years I’ve needed and learned a way to keep sane. I know you have good in your house & outside too, cause I saw that awesome outdoor coffee table you just built! Thanks so much for your visit!
Serena @ Thrift Diving says
Hey, Wendi! Great post! Loving our home has been a challenge. It’s actually taken years and while I’m still not there, since there are rooms that’s haven’t been done yet, it’s slowly become comfortable and cozy. It will be a place that I am sure to look back on fondly! And each time I make an improvement, I get closer to the big “L” word. 🙂
Wendi says
Serena, Thank you! We have rooms that haven’t been touched yet either! When I walk in them all I can think of is yuck! You’ve done beautiful things with your house and your room makeovers. It does take time and sweat equity to get to the cozy and the “L” word, doesn’t it? LOL. I know you must be so proud of everything you’ve accomplished so far.
Patty says
Wendi very good advise. When I moved into this house it was after my first husband died and I remarried. My new husbands house is much smaller and I had a big auction and sold so much stuff that I loved a Duncan Fife couch in mint condition, a beautiful Hoosier cabinet. Just so much I and my husband had collected over the years, we traveled a lot so we had opportunity to find the bargains. After I got moved in here I soon realized I should have sold more. I set up several metal shelves down in the basement and when I want a change I go down there and pull out what I want then carry what I was using down to the dungeon,. it really does work.
Wendi says
Hi Patty! It must have been a tough time. I’m so sorry for your loss. I do love your system to shop your house and move things around. I’m envious, a basement for extra storage? Lucky you! I’ve heard of others keepig shelves and bins organized for staging and decorating for holidays, etc. It’s a great way to keep a room looking fresh. Thanks so much for your visit and hope you are well!