What is slow decorating and what to avoid when decorating your home

Searching slow decorating?  We are excited to share with you today what slow decorating is and what to avoid when decorating your home. 

The Power of Slow Decorating for Your Home 

Slow down and create a home you’ll love for years to come with slow decorating. Learn how little changes can turn your house into a haven.

If you are visiting from House on Silverado, welcome!  We are so happy you are here.  

What is slow decorating you ask?  Just how it sounds... taking your time decorating your space and make sure you are filling your home with pieces that will stay with you over time.  No need to rush trying to fill a home quickly.  Take your time.  Make sure you love each piece and make sure you are making purchases you will not tire of.

When decorating your home, do it with intention. Take time to craft a space that reflects who you are and will bring you joy for years to come. Learn about simple changes that can transform your house into a haven so you can relax and find rest in your own sanctuary.

I have to say, this is how we decorated our home.  When a friend came to visit us and we had lived here a few months, we had exactly one end table and two chairs in our living room.  She commented she could not believe that is all we had in our large living room space.

Honestly, I did not really put a lot of thought into what she was saying at the time.  I know what I like and there was no way I was settling for anything other than what I had in mind.  A curated look takes time to create when searching out the perfect pieces.  

Know Your Priorities - Make a List

When decorating your home, it’s important to start by making a list of the things that are most important to you. What colors, styles, and textures make you feel the most relaxed and content? What items do you want to give priority in your budget? Taking time to write out a list of your must-haves versus wants will help create focus as well as save time, energy and money.

Light neutral colors adorning our walls was the route I chose. I did not choose white, but I also did not want your average beige. I settled on white asparagus for the majority of our first floor living space which seems to suite all of our décor perfectly for us.

Take Time to Find the Perfect Furniture & Accessories

Once you’ve determined the look and feel of your home, it’s time to start sourcing the perfect furniture, accents and accessories that bring your dream space to life. While it can be tempting to purchase items quickly at large retailers, taking the time to search for high quality pieces at antique stores, thrift shops, and auctions can often mean you get better value for money as well as pieces that have been made with true craftsmanship.

Chesterfield sofas, yep, love them!  Check!

Antique chairs in our living room, again a must have for me.  Check!

Unique decor in the living room.  Check!

Slow decorating is about taking your time to savor the process and make thoughtful decisions about what should go into each room. It’s about curating pieces that make you happy and giving yourself permission to decorate your home uniquely and with intention. It’s been noted that those who practice slow decorating often enjoy a deeper connection to their homes, since each piece has a story or memory attached to it.

When my friend made that comment, I did not mind our living room was sparce since I knew it would be the living room we would have for years to come once it was complete.  Do not let others pressure you into finishing your home when you move in or decide to take the plunge in making over a space.  Take your time, make the best decisions for you and your family. 

I think I have filled everything on our list now.  We made purchases of quality pieces that I know will last the test of time.  We may still have the chairs on either side of our mantel reupholstered, but I am not completely sold on that idea either.

I knew when I saw those chairs in the second hand church shop that they were excellent quality.  When I lifted the chair cushion and saw the Century label, I knew I hit the jackpot!  

Century is made in North Carolina, made in USA pieces are typically quality pieces.  They will last my lifetime and will move on to the next person after me.  Pieces that will last the test of time may be a more expensive purchase initially, but in the long run will save you money since you only need to make the purchase once.  Good quality = lasting pieces.

Keep Favorites

When it comes to slow decorating, a great approach is to keep your favorite things around. Buy pieces that make you feel warm and fuzzy, but be conscious of how much value they add to the room.

Go with timeless pieces.  I love any piece that is French provincial, you have probably seen several pieces in our home if you have been here for any length of time.  I have just always been drawn to those curlicue  legs for some reason.  It is a timeless style so I do not need to worry if it will be "in" 20 years from now.

Now that we have everything we need in most of the rooms of our home, I am happy with what we have.  Being content in life is something I think just comes with age.  Did I just call myself old?  Now we cannot go saying that... I just think the older we become, the more content in life we are.

If you are moving into a new home, or considering redecorating, take your time.  I think in the long run you will be so happy with your decisions.  I also think once you move in, your needs change so the pieces you thought you had to have initially may not work in your space once you are all moved in and living in your space.

I know our needs have changed since we first moved in.  I purchased the perfect French style mirror for our foyer and I kept telling myself I HAD TO HAVE the perfect table to complement it in our foyer.  I searched high and low, going to antique stores looking for the perfect piece.  I kept coming up short, pieces were too large, too small, not the style I wanted.

Finally one weekend I told Mr. VS we needed to get the mirror off the floor before it got knocked over, and just hang it on the wall.  Since we were unsure how tall the table we were stressing to find would be, I did not want us to hang the mirror.  I think that weekend I just gave up.

Do you know after the mirror was hung I was so happy I did not settle and just bring home a piece just to fill the space?  I found I did not want a table in the space afterall.  For years that space was empty under the mirror until I decided to remove a bench seat from our kitchen and move it into the foyer. 

Sometimes you figure things out by shopping your own home, and in this case, it paid off for me since I already had the bench here.  Trust me, I have made plenty of mistakes in our home, but I enjoy sharing what I have found with y'all in the hopes I can save you from making the same silly mistakes I have, and hopefully some money too.

The snow is falling outside, along with freezing rain.  Hopefully the roads will be clear by the time morning comes.  Hope you have a wonderful and safe week.  Thank you so much for stopping by today, it means the world to us.