Letting Your Home Grow With You: The Beauty of Small Changes Over Time

There’s This Feeling I Get When I Move into a New Home…

And it's that everything needs to be done right away. That the walls should be painted in this years trends, light fixtures updated, the furniture perfectly curated and placed, and every room styled just right before you can truly settle in or invite anyone over. Can anyone relate?

But the truth is, a home isn’t something you just complete. There isn't a destination or a finish line - it’s something that grows with you.

When I moved into my 1920s Tangletown two-story, I remember standing in the living room, knowing I wanted to elevate the room. It didn’t feel like me fully. I of course loved the old world charm, the 6" baseboards, amazing natural light, and layout, but it wasn't quite hitting the mark. The wall color wasn’t terrible, but it didn’t reflect the vibe I wanted the space to have. But instead of rushing into a full redesign, I decided to do a partial refresh.

I pulled out some built-in shelves to maximize the space and take back another foot or so. I also refinished the hardwood floors which in my opinion was a game changer for lighting and brightening the house. 

The easiest update though, was picking a new paint color. One that made the room feel instantly bigger, brighter, and more home to me. That one change shifted the entire energy of the space. Suddenly, it felt more like mine. And other small changes followed - a new piece of furniture here, some artwork there, new lighting, and other small details that made a big difference.

Embracing the Phases of Home

It’s easy to look at homes on Pinterest or Instagram and feel like you’re behind. Believe me, I walk homes for a living and am constantly comparing real life examples to my home. It can be tough to constantly compare your home to others. You might feel like your house should already be perfectly curated, every room styled and finished to perfection. (Or maybe that's just me). But real life isn’t a perfectly designed before-and-after moment. It’s a series of small, thoughtful changes that add up over time.

Maybe for you, the first step is swapping out light fixtures to change the impact of a room or space. Maybe it’s reworking a cluttered corner or finally hanging that artwork you love. Maybe it’s as simple as rearranging furniture to create a better flow or changing out your throw pillows for the new season ahead. Whatever it is, it counts.

There’s no timeline that says when your home should feel “finished.” The truth is, it never really will be - because just like we grow and evolve, so should our homes with us.

The Joy of Creating Your Home Slowly

Some of my favorite changes in my home weren’t planned; they happened when they were meant to. A trip to a local vintage shop led to the perfect outdoor set. A random Saturday afternoon inspired new wall art in my entryway. And in the process, I’ve learned that letting a home evolve naturally is where the real magic happens.

So, if you’re staring at all the things you want to change and feeling overwhelmed, take a deep breath. Pick one room and one small thing within that room to start with. Let your home grow with you, at your own pace.

Because the best spaces aren’t the ones that come together overnight - they’re the ones that reflect a life well lived, one little change at a time.

Also know that it is okay to go back and update a space that was once already completed. If you've evolved and your taste in the next best trend has shifted or you're looking for a change but don't want to make a move, it's okay to touch up a space more than once. 

Take for instance my living room. It has now been painted 3 colors in the time that I've owned the home. Although I would love to say this most recent update will be my last, I can't for certain - and that's okay! Your home is a reflection of you and your personality, and if you want to keep tweaking the same room because it's your favorite room that you frequent the most or the first one guests will see, then do it! Creating that little spark of joy and newness can ignite excitement and truly be such a gift to give to yourself. 

Just know, not every update needs to be big or over the top. Small tweaks to a home go such a long way and can sometimes make the biggest impact. If you're looking for some inspiration on how to help with your space, I know just the gal to put together a dreamy mood board.

Happy Decorating,

JMF

Ready to read more?