How To Live With Decor You Don’t Like
Smart and encouraging tips for how to live with things you don’t like in your home and can’t change, at least for now. And how to make peace with your home.
The real title of this post is How to Live with Decor You Don’t Like and Cannot Change Right Now or Maybe Ever. I’ve wanted to chat with you about this topic for quite a while now because I think you are like me. And I have a confession. I don’t like everything about my home. So, how do we live with those things?
First, let’s state the obvious: no home is perfect, no home ticks all our decorating boxes, and all homes are or should be a work in progress.
No Home Is Perfect
Let’s remember this truth when we get frustrated and think, “If only I could change this or that, I’d be happy with my home.” No matter who you are, we all have things we would love to change in our homes.
I am certainly in that club, for sure!
Because of blogs, Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram, you see only a slice of the very best of a home and not of real life.
My biggest UGH about our Tanglewood home is the flooring! I am so thankful we have hardwood floors. They are a beautiful blessing, but they are an ugly color! We are living with them as is, period!
Since I work from home, I’m with them all day, every day, but I’ve made peace with them.
Once in a while, I look at them as the sunlight magnifies their orange tinge and cringe a bit, but then I remind myself that I am blessed to have these floors. And I have decided not to spend one ounce of energy fussing over something I cannot change!
We moved into a new home that had already been built. It was quite perfect for our needs and our season of life, but I definitely wanted to change some things. And I knew there were things I had to live with, too.
So here’s the big question again: How do we live with things we can’t change right away or ever?
I think the Serenity Prayer might apply to decorating, too!
Dear God, Grant me the Serenity to accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference.
We need to live by this little prayer!
Think Better Of Your Home
It’s easy to become emotional about the things we dislike and can’t change in our homes. I love decorating and homemaking, so I want to enjoy every part of my home. You might feel the same way.
If we stay focused on what we dislike, we miss the beauty and blessings around us.
I always told my children when they were growing up to think better of people and not worse. So let’s do the same about our homes! We are so hard on them!
Wouldn’t it be lovely to wake up and think kind thoughts about our home every day? Let that be your default.
One thing I love about the Tanglewood House is the sunlight! It streams through our windows, and our home is bright and light even on cloudy days. Thinking loving and lovely thoughts about our homes may be a test of our will, but it is worth the effort. Give yourself and your home some grace and think happy thoughts!
Make A Plan
Let’s think about things we can change, just maybe not now. Dream a little and plan! Thinking about future plans makes us feel prepared.
It’s so important to have a plan. If you read StoneGable, you have heard me say this many times.
IF YOU FAIL TO PLAN, YOU PLAN TO FAIL
I’m currently thinking about changes to our loft. We have an open living area on the second floor across from the bedrooms and the bathroom.
It took me time to figure out how we’d use this space, since Bobby and I spend most of our time downstairs. But when our daughter and her family visit, this space makes a lot of sense.
We’re creating a small sitting area with a work spot. I made a plan that listed what I could and couldn’t change. The floors, again, made the “can’t change” list, but that tired old bookcase? It’s going!
I’ve been slowly finding the right furniture and pulling from what I already have. A plan makes it feel doable. This area is still a work in progress, and I’m not particularly fond of it. However, I know I will, just not right now.
If you’re thinking about a future project, start now. Gather ideas from Pinterest, blogs, and magazines. Take notes. Make calls. Collect samples. Little steps lead to progress.
Budget To Change Things You Don’t Like
If you don’t budget for changes, they won’t happen. One of the smartest things we can do is have a budget for decorating changes.
It’s okay to want a beautiful home and to plan for things to wear out or go out of style.
Budgeting puts you on the path to making changes over time, and that’s exciting!
Embracing The Things You Don’t Like in Your Decorating Plan
Most of us live with things we don’t like. And that’s okay. The key is to work with them and not against them. Here are some helpful ways to do that…
Hide And Camouflage
Some things can be hidden or downplayed. I use rugs to hide and distract from my floors. Paint a piece you don’t love. Add a throw and pile up pillow on a sofa that has seen better days. Use a pretty tablecloth to hide scratches on a table.
Get creative and fool your eye by calling attention away from what you don’t like in your home.
Ignore It
Once you have done what you can, let it go! Don’t let that one thing (or things) rob your joy and keep you from welcoming others into your home.
And never, ever apologize for your home! Love the good and ignore what you can’t change. There are many more important things in life to stress over!
The Tidier Your Home, The Better Everything Looks
When our homes are neat and organized, everything looks better, even the parts we don’t love. Clutter makes flaws stand out. A tidy, organized home lets the beauty shine through.
When my home is clean and I have some pretty flowers on a table, I don’t even notice the floor color.
There is no magic to getting rid of what we dislike about our homes. We can do our best to plan, budget, enjoy, hide, camouflage, ignore, and tidy up! And make peace with our homes, and that is something wonderful!
Related Posts to Enjoy
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9 Best Ideas For Decorating And Updating a Tired Room – Inspiring strategies for refreshing worn‑out spaces—from paint to upholstery and rearranging.
Simple Decorating: How to Decorate With Less – Learn minimalist designer tips to simplify your style while keeping warmth and cohesion.
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FAQs About Living With Decor You Don’t Like
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Thanks, Kay!
I needed this post today
I also hate our floors and cannot change
Thank you I love your taste and also like white and naturals
Hating our floors seems to be a very popular problem. At least we are in it together! LOL!
I wish you’d get past hating your floors. Flooring fads have been changing very quickly – from dark to white oak in a decade. Previously from narrow blond oak to country pine. And now removing “ugly” wood floors to grey LVP. Designers need to stop promoting this type of thinking. I appreciate you are keeping your floors as they are!
I don’t hate my floors because they are not in style, I dislike them because they are orange and don’t work at all with my color palette. Sweet Connie, I’m not promoting any kind of thinking! I’m just telling you that I (me) don’t like my floors! I am like a broken record saying, use what you love and do what makes you happy.
Where can you find the white and tan Pottery Barn pot on your chest? The store no longer has it.
I know! Check on Etsy or Ebay. Hope this helps.
I kinda love your floors… they remind me of my parents farmhouse, though their home was built in the 1950’s, but they have that same warm color wood floors throughout. They make your home feel older than it actually is… more vintage, and in my world, that’s a good thing!
My carpeted floors are something that I’m living with until my budget allows a change. Our master bath is in the same status! But I have found so much decorating inspiration on your blog, and others, that since I retired I’ve made small changes that have made big differences! You are so right about a clean, uncluttered, tidy home. I’ve grown to love my home again! Thank you for all the inspiration!
Oh, Dixie! You are so sweet! LOVE your icon image.
I lived with orange plush carpet in our home for about 20 years. I just ignored it the best I could and learned to live with it. I was very happy the day it was changed, though!!
I bet you were Jane! This gave me a good laugh! You are the queen of understatement!
Good advice Yvonne. We should appreciate our homes and get over the little things that might bother us. In the big scheme, they are little things.
All the Trend articles say wood furniture is back. Painted pieces are out! Having said that, my daughter refinishes old pieces she picks up at thrift shops or on marketplace, sands them and paints them giving them a new lease on life. In a case like that you are saving them from the landfill. But a perfectly nice wood piece – why paint it?
Joanna, just because something is “out” does not mean it might not look gorgeous in your home. I agree about saving furniture!
I am so happy to know there are like-minded homeowners/renters who would love to change things but have learned to live with these (in our mind) flaws. I’m like you Yvonne, I live and breathe my home decor and always have. I’ve had to learn to accept certain things about my home. Like you said, when the house is tidy and I’ve done the extra touches like flowers, etc. I find I don’t fret about the things I know I can’t change. Great post.
Karen B.
Yay, Karen! Good for you!
I moved into a home with Brazilian Cherry hardwood floors. They are a kind of orange/cherry red color. And to make things worse (to me anyway) they have a high gloss finish that looks uneven and I am NOT a fan at all. But, I have to live with them and my husband will never let me refinish them.
So, I too try to hide what I can with rugs. It is a lovely home but the floors could spoil it for me if I let it. So I work hard not to let that be the case. And if I mention it to others, they don’t see the problem. So I guess neither should I! But, I do understand…
Yes, hardwood floors cover our homes! So we need to make our peace with it.
Great post! Every time I walk into our entryway where both the garage door and front door merge I tell myself, “what was I thinking 35 years ago”! We built our home. Both of our sons were linemen in middle and high school with no mud room it was always an adventure I didn’t look forward. Once they were in high school all gear was taken off in our garage and they would cautiously walk up the stairs to shower muddy shins and drippy sweat. What’s a mom to do?. I have given up and embraced it with a beautiful cabinet and mirror as well as a very nice rug just as you come in the front door. A large vase of dried hydrangeas from my yard draw the eye up and are reflected by the mirror over the cabinet. My biggest challenge is finding a washable rug to coordinate with the foyer rug. As I have mentioned before we are hopefully downsizing this year. So for now I ignore it and work with what I have. Why? Because I know that pet peeve will someday not be. I have to say however, I miss those stinky football days.
I miss those days too. I had one football player and one ballerina and a cheerleader. Those were such fun times and they flew by! Don’t miss my downsizing series. I think it might be helpful. Blessings to you as you transition to your next home. See my downsizing series here: https://stonegableblog.com/category/downsizing/
May I ask where you got your wall hung coat tree? I love it and I am looking for something just like that
Hi Diane, I found it at Pottery Barn years ago. Unfortunately, it is no on their site anymore. This vertical coat rack is attractive:https://amzn.to/3QPw9cQ
I love the color of your floors! Very high end, classic and timeless! Grey is already taking the slow train out! Wait! They will be the latest trend!
Yvonne, I just love reading your posts! You always share things that we can learn from. Thanks for all the many hours you spend in preparing these awesome posts! I appreciate you so much & thank God for you!
How sweet Mary Ann my lovely Canadian friend! Thank you! My brother-in-law is from Canada and he is the best! So it makes me love my Canadian friends all the more!
You are an inspiration and have a wonderful design instinct. Thank you for all your great ideas and suggestions.
You are so welcome Carol!
My floors too! Light cherry laminate, which seemed like a great idea at the time, as we had/have dark cherry furniture. They had a better guarantee than engineered or real wood floors…not. I don’t really mind the color, but they are all nicked and scratched and I cannot keep them clean. However, in looking at replacements with hubby, he leans towards weathered gray colors which I don’t think will go with that formal cherry furniture. We just vehemently disagree! I’m dreading when we get serious about looking. I hope I stand firm…maybe the gray stuff will be demode and unavailable by that time!
I also have overstuffed dark brown leather sofas from 2006. They are still in good shape, but man, they are heavy and ugly! Pillows and throws, pillows and throws, pillows and throws…
I like your attitude, Carol!
The biggest thing to take from your post Nadine, is choosing to have the ‘right’ attitude about things that we cannot change. In my case, the tile on the floor in the foyer was laid crooked, I disguised it with a long runner. When the floor was finally replaced, thirty five years!!! later, I told my husband I was so happy to finally be rid of that crooked tile. He said, “it’s crooked? I never noticed!” My too small sewing studio, which I wish I could change but can’t; was a too small bedroom, so I decorated to be pretty, and keep my supplies organized, tidy up after every session, and remind myself frequently to always be grateful to have a place to create! Attitude!
Thank you for your very wise comment Faviola! You are so right
This was a great article and really good information and ideas on how to deal with the things we don’t like. In my home, my husband is an avid hunter so we have a lot of “dead animals” hanging around. I really hate them but know that my husband is proud of them and enjoys reminders of good hunting trips (he can tell you everything about each one!). Fortunately, we have high ceilings and walls so I have hung them up above so I don’t have to look at them constantly. I still feel like this limits the decor options I have. I have some antique pieces but would really like some soft, fluffy table linens or pillows or accent pieces but I just don’t think they would blend with the rustic feel of the “trophies”. Thank you for your advice and tips. I will try harder to work around what I have and continue to remember the Serenity prayer. Kathy
Hi Kathy, I think that trophies, although not for most people, are beautiful! And they make stunning decor. Just go with your fluffy linens but use them in the same color palette as the trophies.
I’m crying right now. Because I feel so seen and understood. My husband and I bought our first (and realistically, only home) and I felt like nothing about it is what I wanted for my life.
I hate myself for being upset about it, because why can’t I just be grateful for what I’ve got.
Thank you for validating my feelings and making me feel like I’m not just a spoiled brat.
Of course not Ashley. Women like us are so connected to our homes. We are so grateful for them but we also want them to look their best. Decorating takes a long time! I hate to tell you that but it is the truth. Just know decorating is a long process and enjoy every little step closer to creating a home you love!
Great article! I too do not
like my warm brown fading to Orange hardwood floors. I keep wanting to refinish them, but I have a senior kitty who would not work in a hotel for a week. I too use lots of area rugs etc. What color would you change your floors to? I was thinking of a light gray stain over the oak but want more of a timeless look.
I would go with a lighter neutral brown.
What a great article! I needed this so much. Thank you!!?
You are so welcome!
What a refreshing article! Thank you! I appreciate your encouragement and positive attitude.
No home is perfect… and we can be grateful we have one. I am sure many would envy what we don’t like.
Thanks again.
Hi Cynthia, you are so right.
Hi Yvonne
I tried to sign up for something I think a decor email, on your site and did not get? Shall I sign up again? I did check my junk.?
You sit3 is great! Love the information and encouragement
Hi Cynthia, I signed you up and sent you the Summer e-magazine. If you cannot find the magazine or the newsletter look in your junk mail. I’m so glad you are enjoying StoneGable
What a great post, thank you for sharing. I have several things that bother me, but you are right to focus on what we love. There is always something, but a tidy house looks better. I hadn’t thought of that, but it is true. I’m in purge mode and now I feel more energized for the job. Have a wonderful Easter weekend.
You go girl! Thank you and Happy Easter to your and your loved ones too.
Thank you for sharing this !! Moving forward, I’m going to do what you said, going to speak positively and believe the best in our home and not point out its flaws. Thank you again !
You are so welcome, Joni! I think you will be much happier about your home.
My daughter had her orange oak floors stained to a beautiful color. There is alot of prep work and I would leave it to professionals, which she did. Not nearly as expensive as new wood floors would be!
I’ve heard that before. I may have to look into it. Thanks
Great article. I do love a clean, uncluttered home. I come home to serenity. When I purchased my condo many years ago, I saw the potential, and with budgeting, and lots of inspiration boards, and patience I love coming home. I couldn’t change the size of my kitchen, but remodeled it to be lighter , brighter and more efficient. Most importantly I have loads of natural light….love your home, neutral is the way to go…….
We have a very open concept home with lots of windows. Neutrals work here.
You are brilliant to take the color of the floor you don’t like and use a lightened version of it in your rug and accessories. I absolutely love the peachy/tan rug and pillows, it makes the floor beautiful and the whole look intentional. Thank you! Love your thoughts!
I agree with you, Pam, and you expressed it so well. Somehow the pillows, vases, and other decor relate to the floors and it all ties together and looks wonderful.
Aww, thank you!
Son-in-law put down new floors all over my house, red oak but it looks like a horrible puzzle of mixed woods. I wanted a coastal look with a smooth one color light wood floor. Just starting to decorate my new house that should have been blues and whites. This floor is too busy for a calm look. Help!
Marie, I’m sorry for your floor issue! Could you send me a few pictures of your floor and some of the rooms. Then I can help you better. Our floors are oak and have an orange undertone. Not my favorite. So, I used a warm color palette for our home and it seems to work. I also try to ignore the flooring! Send pics to [email protected]
I have a similar problem with my light taupe Porcelain tile flooring that cannot be replaced. It extends from my foyer through my kitchen. It looks good in the foyer but not in the kitchen. My cabinets are a warm clean ivory and they clash with my earthy muted (dirty) floors. I’m planning to put some long runners by the stove, sink and under the kitchen table. The carpet would be in a pattern that complements and ties together the cabinets with the floors. To soften where the cabinets meet the floors, I’m also considering installing a very pale whitewashed white oak or maple wood toe kick that reflects both the cabinet and floor colors.
Sounds like you solved your problem. Good for you Carolyn.
Yvonne, What a perfect post! Today I told my husband again I wish our ceilings were not so high. Our entire main floor is vaulted. I am use to that from our previous home however our downsized home is crazy high. I am estimating 18 – 20 feet with a lot of angles. We have a lot of windows. Many days it feels cold not cozy. I use my phone to take pics of rooms from Homeworthy, magazines, etc. no rush. We have lived here 16 months. I want to be cautious with what I do and take my time. If only money grew on trees????
When you find that tree, let me know. Our home is the same. Very high ceilings, lots of windows.I painted our entire home white and the beauty of the outdoors came inside. I LOVE it. I’m sure you will figure it out and love living in an open, airy home.
Yvonne, Thank you for the reminder to not obsess about what we can’t change. I am limiting the number of blogs I follow because the temptation to allow discontentment to creep in is real when I know I won’t be doing major renovations. It’s a challenge to be content.
Hi Cheryl, I agree. I can be like that too. However, discontent takes up way to much energy. So I enjoy blogs, etc for their beauty and instead get little ideas that are doable in my home.