Yes there is a decorating mistake that cost me thousands of dollars. Well maybe not a mistake but a decorating decision that is quite costly over the long haul. Let me explain.
Like many, my tastes have changed over the years. We’ve had a brown plaid sofa (given to us) a leather sofa, a blue floral sofa, a purple floral sofa, a solid purple sofa, a red sofa, and now a white sofa in our living room. We’ve had various chairs over the years too.
The thing is, the furniture rarely wears out; we…. okay… I, get tired of it. I get tired of the colors, I get tired of the patterns. The look of the sofa goes out of style. In a few years, I’m ready for a new sofa, chair, bed, whatever. Even that very expensive furniture we bought when we first bought married, I eventually got tired of. I thought I would never, never change my mind about it, but I did. And each room was painted a different color when we first got married. I disliked white walls. I wanted color. Later the walls required repainting, not because the paint was worn, but because I no longer liked the paint color.
So my point is, what if there is a way to stay happy with your design decisions for a long time? I’m not talking about everything, but on the big ticket items. To be clear my decorating mistake was selecting colors and patterns that I tired of quickly, so I was constantly replacing furniture, and paint, etc.
Here are my tips for staying happy with design decisions for the longest time possible. If you choose things that you will love for the long-term, you are going to save money because you will not be wanting to change things every few years. So here are my suggestions on how to stay happy for a long time with your decorating decisions. Choosing classic versus trendy means that things don’t look dated quickly.
1. Go solid on your furniture.
Patterns go out of style faster than a color, so solids are much safer for furniture. For sofas, I highly recommend solid colors. Otherwise you do risk having a dated look very quickly.
2. Add color and pattern with accessories.
Pillows and throws are a lot less expensive than buying a new chair or upholstering one. and they come in lots of colors and patterns.
3. Use neutral color on the walls
Yes boring neutral color is my preference. It may not look as ‘hot’ as the dark colors, but you will get tired of the dark color, and you will end up painting over it sooner than you think. I used to have a different wall color in every room. Not any more. The entire house is has just one neutral wall color. Again, if you don’t mind painting your walls often, then I say for for the dark walls if you like them.
4. Go neutral with your furniture
I know this doesn’t work for everyone. But neutral is always in style. It is probably not going to be the latest trend, but it is always in style. I love color and lots of it. My home used to be one pattern after another, and one color after another. I know you don’t believe me, but it’s true. Part of why I went with neutrals is so I wouldn’t have to change out the furniture all of the time to stay current.
I know neutral isn’t right for everyone, but maybe you can try going with a solid instead of a pattern on your sofa and chairs. And if you really want the pattern on your chair, then I say go for it. Just keep in mind, you will probably tire of it more easily than a solid. And if a dark color on your wall is an important part of your design, then by all means use that strong color. But perhaps, just do it in one room, instead of the entire house.
Of course, it is your home, and you need to do what works for you. So if you are allergic to white and neutrals, then you are going to have to go your own way. If you decide to go with a wild pattern, and a year from now you hate it, I’ll pretend we never had this discussion. I won’t ever say, “I told you so.” I’ll just nod my head, and said, “How could this happen?” Because, that’s just the way we roll.
Great post! I’ve been there, over the years. .yellow floral couch, orange plaid, blue plaid..etc. Most of our rooms are neutral, except for our living room. We’ve had that color for almost fifteen years, and I’m ready for a change…I think. Thanks for the great tips.
Whatever happened to the east coast favorite – slip covers? Pale and cool for summer, darker and cozy for winter. A good piece of furniture in a classic style can last for decades and be upgraded with new slipcovers – much less expensive way to update a room you’re bored with.
Hi Francie. I LOVE slipcovers!
Good tips, where were you when I had to have that flame stitched plaid sofa!!!
I agree – wish I had gone more neutral in my living room. Too late now. Your house is beautiful! Love you Anita.
Take heart. It’s never too late. Not as long as there’s paint and inexpensive fabric. Just need to rethink your strategy. Good luck!
Such good advice! I too learned these lessons the h$rd way. My husband swears I’ve made the rooms smaller with all the layers of paint I’ve put on over the years!
I agree with neutral colors for large pieces of furniture and wall color. Great tips. I definitely have made my share of decorating mistake s as well. Um like I had the builder install sea foam green laminate counter tops. Omg. What the heck was I thinking
I feel your pain. Been there. Done that. I am currently on the transformation journey from “what the heck was I thinking” to neutral, classic, and comfortable.
This post increases my confidence. I am currently transforming my 1990s traditional home into a casual classic using neutrals and textures. I was concerned about whether I could make the blend seamless….after reading your post……I am boldly moving forward.
Many thanks,
Susie
Beautiful! And love your slipcovers! Did you buy them or make them?
I make them Jessica.
I am still surrounded by furniture that we purchased after we got married, 30 years ago, still love it, even though it doesn’t fit my newest house as well,(to small) and I am just now considering painting it. I have always loved color on my walls and pattern on my furniture, and yes I have been lucky enough to be able to paint , or re upholster it myself, so I certainly got the use out of the furniture I purchased. I have just done a remodel on my main areas in my home, and I will admit some of the furniture that went to storage did not make the cut to return, and yes I replaced the patterns with a solid, went more neutral on my walls, I add it up to being older, not necessarily tired of what it was before. My biggest advice is not about your furniture or walls, it is picking carefully what you use as your hard surfaces. Backsplashes, countertops, floors. you can’t fix those with a $ 30 can of paint…..and “in” only last about 5-10 years!
My most expensive mistake was my window coverings. It took three times before I got the ones I always wanted. First time, I let my Mom talk me out of California shutters. She said verticals were the way to go. I hated them as soon as they were installed. But they were expensive and I had to live with them. Then I had the chance to order my shutters once again. The decorator who came to measure said, it couldn’t be done. The trim around the window wouldn’t allow it. Talked into something else I didn’t like. They were installed and within a week, had started to deteriorate. Finally my husband said, these blinds don’t work, get something else. I had a different company come in and now I have my beloved California shutters. They were worth the price, but I could have had them 20 years ago and saved a ton of money. I am so happy with them.
*Smiles*
Great advice, thank you! Would you please share the paint color you chose for your home?
Dana it’s SW Agreeable Gray.
So kind of you to share, thank you! I read each blog post and admire your work immensely. Beautiful homes. I enjoy your humor and honesty. Thank you, Anita!
You are right, good sage advice.
We’ve been married 37 years. In that time, we’ve had four couches…it was the pattern that I hated after time…however, we couldn’t afford to replace so we got slipcovers… but they didn’t have much in the way of selection, so we often just traded one pattern for another.
We have a solid on this couch, had it recovered that way in a plain jane brownish color that matches the walls, so it doesn’t seem quite so big. It does get a dropcloth to cover it most of the time, because of dogs…not for dislike of the color…and its that faux suede stuff that is pretty durable…
Only thing I’d do different? have it in a lighter color, off white probably a slipcover from the get go….so I could change the color of the walls! I’m dying to paint a soft grey and I’m stuck with this color…..
Nancy
Ok such fun timing………..we are picking kids wall colors this week. My husband and I just had the discussion on neutrals, our first house was all white when we moved in….little brick spec home. I hated all the white and spent the next eight years painting then re-painting. I went through every color of the rainbow. I am so glad I did. Because now I love white. It is sooooo peaceful to me. My 10 year old son has picked a very dark blue, for his new room. I am going to let him have it on one wall, it would not be my choice, but I want to give them some input on their rooms. The entire house will be white except for three of the kids bedrooms. I have two hand me down love seats and a couch that are very floral. I am going to make (or have made?). Slipcovers for them. Neutral is beautiful in my book ❤️
And if you go vintage you don’t have to stay current!
Definitely agree with two minor exceptions – first, you likely don’t have a dog, because thanks to my dog, I finally have a real reason to get rid of a couch I knew was a mistake the day it was delivered… 😉 It took many years, but my couch actually did wear out, due to the dog… lol. He’s small and likes to sit on the top of the couch to look out the window. He’s only allowed on a few pieces and I feel like he and I had a deal that I really wanted him to ruin the hated couch. He obliged. Now I’ll definitely go with slipcovers on the new one, since he’s already used to sitting on top of the couch. And the second thing is, I actually do like wall color, although very soft and subtle, so while I agree about using neutral color, I use certain pastels as neutrals (soft yellow and soft sage green). What interesting to me is, when I look at my Pinterest boards, a good barometer of what I love, I always pin all white rooms. But in my home, I seem to prefer a little warmth added by soft color.
I too have had leather couches, the rich toned plaid, the hand me down plaid and am so happy I went with the neutral slip covered choice on my last one a few years ago. Goes great with my new gray walls. I’m over the bold wall covers also. Now I look at my lovely red toned Persian rugs and know that their time is up too. The neutrals are so much more soothing these days. Love all the great inspiration you provide. Have a blessed day !
I agree with you but I don’t know that they are decorating mistakes (though I still have a red couch hiding upstairs). It’s just that trends come on strong and sometimes they feel classic…does that make sense? Remember when we all had a red dining room? Mercy I loved mine and it felt so classic. Thank goodness trends do come and go because it would be boring otherwise. Thank goodness we can paint and change things around some. Ten years from now I bet the neutrals that we are all loving today will be replaced by something else. 🙂
I’ve always painted my homes in a neutral. I started do that because my husband was military and I was thinking resale. I thought when we retired I would paint my rooms in glorious color but found out that I like the calmness of a neutral backdrop.
I will wait to find that perfect piece, instead of spending money on something only to replace it down the road. It took me three years to find the “perfect” stools for my kitchen. That’s the way I roll.
First thoughts as I read this…was Antia a military wife? You are so right, these basic rules that work well! Most of us learned this quickly with all the military moves. Most of us had basic neutral and added color and interest through all the treasures we bought across the globe. Now after our 2nd career last international move back to the US we bought neutral. Why change what works!
I could not agree with you more. I hoped one day I would read this in a blog. You, my dear, finally figured it out and are one smart cookie 🙂
Thank you for the advice ,you are so right and it came just in time.
Excellent advise!
I think people decorate differently in different parts of the country. Texas is very different than CA and I find when I tried to paint my house inside with neutral colors it was so bland. I just don’t know anyone around here who uses these colors or neutrals like this. I couldn’t live without color. When you have regular ceiling heights and nothing special in the structure you need something to make the home look inviting and not plain. Also if you have very good antiques you can’t just get rid of them and spend money on new ones. Cost wise we have to keep what we have and work around it. I have had a decorator in my home and she was impressed. I find that new painted color walls are such a wonderful way to update your look in your house, and you find something that goes with what you have. We have furniture upholstered in classic tones which help.
Great Post and advice. I definitely agree about using neutral colors. I love neutrals with pops of colors here and there. I just love the pops of colors you give to a space using flowers. Thanks for sharing.
I absolutely agree with every bit of this! When we first moved into our house (only a year ago) I was a fan of red but after only 6 months, I was ready to change it. Silly, I know. Thankfully, the red was only in my curtains and accessories so it was easy to get rid of. Neutral is definitely the way to go. I love your home!
Thank you Anita for such sound advice. I’ve made just about all the same mistakes, oops, I mean decisions and have had to live with a few longer than I would have liked. My house is neutral (original paint from purchase 7 years ago), although not white. I would like it lighter and am about ready to start painting. Red seems always to make an appearance somewhere in accessories and I always love it. It’s just happy!
Great tips – I appreciate your reasoning and agree! I used to have tons of color on the walls, furniture, etc. I couldn’t get enough! And yes, it did get “old” and I wanted a fresh, airy look instead. You’re right in that with neutrals as a base, you can always add in color easier than you can take away. Thanks so much for sharing!
Love the chair in the 1st pic… Looks oversized… Is that yours & where did u find? Looks grest
It was special ordered from Southern Furniture.
I agree! Love all these tips and of course I adore your beautiful style 😉
Hugs, Jamie
Anita!! I accidentally stumbled upon your blog since I am building a home and I loved your ABOUT ME section!! Especially cause I am an ENGINEER as well!! There are not many women engineers and therefore it is sooo exciting to find one that is a blogger!! I love your blog!!
Thank you Jen!! Thanks so much for introducing yourself!
Hi Anita! Just discovered your blog while pinning your beautiful kitchen on Pinterest. We are in the middle of building a farmhouse and decided to go neutral as well. When my kids were younger I was into the French country colors/patterns but the older I get the more appealing neutrals are. Love the color of stain on your wood floors! is it a minwax color? Thank you for sharing your home with us. Love your blog!
Jeanette, I don’t know what brand they used. It’s called Coffee, but I don’t know the brand.
Anita,
Love your blog and all the great ideas! Also, love the blue rug in your dining room. We’re did you find it?
The rug is from Ballard Designs Beverly.
I am, also, one that pins white rooms but want color in mine. I agree with white, soft naturals walls…I’ve always had light, neutral walls and love them to the moon and back. Thanks for all the nice tips.
You are so right. When I was young I loved color on the walls. I live in Texas also and know many who use neutrals on the walls. In my opinion ,neutral walls show off my antiques as the colored walls did not. I love pillows and flowers and add color that way . It is fairly inexpensive to use pillow covers for a different look. But what I do know is decorating is a very personal thing. Thank you so much for your input. Love your blog.
Hi Anita. I don’t remember seeing the Mora Clock before. I have a place for one, but still counting my pennies. My sister-in-law has one and I always give it a hug when I go to her home.
Thanks for all your wonderful blogs!
Great advice! I recently had my entire interior re-painted in SW- Nomadic Desert and it has such a warm, feel to it. I made one exception in my master bedroom. I wanted something more serene and soothing so I went with Quest Gray on 3 walls and Midnight as an accent on the long wall behind the bed.
Rounded it out with a cream pin-tuck duvet and shams, light gray reading chair with a deep purple throw, oversized mirrored end tables with shiny silver lamps that reflect in the mirrored tables. White lamp shades help cast a soft glow on the Midnight colored wall in the evening that just says “Ahhhhh”.
Now if I can get my husband to give up his leather recliner I will be a happy gal!!
Anita, I thought I was the only one who liked to change things all the time! That’s one reason I never bought into the “Harvest Gold” or “Avocado Green” for appliances. Oops, I’m showing my age. LOL
Bought a cream colored sofa when we first married. It was a steel construction so it cost a bit of money. I still have it. It was reupholstered once because it wore out (I had two boys). The original was crushed velvet. I still liked the cream so I picked a fabric, in cream, but more classic. I get what you are saying, although painting I feel is something I can live with repainting if I want.
Great pointers! Thank you for the reminders.
I totally agree with you. I don’t dislike color, but it seems I always tire of it so soon. I keep going back to neutrals. I so wanted a Ikea slipcovered sofa but decided to go with leather because of my pets. I still regret it. Hopefully someday I can sell my leather and get the ones I really want, even if they will probably be more upkeep.
One trick I use to perk up a room is add fresh flowers–especially in your favorite colors. They are a wonderful focal point that enliven any room.
Love your post about solids on sofas. I always try to think about how people will be using the room. In a living room, where one entertains or enjoys family life, I believe it is the person sitting on the sofa who should be the focus of attention and not the pattern.
I have also tried to chose my palettes so that every piece of furniture could go anywhere in the house. That way, I can move everything around if I want a different look.
As for paint, I do use a variety of colors, but I have to absolutely love the color. It took me 18 months to find my living room paint and it has been a joy to be in the room every day. Love your blog!
I have never had so much money I could redo things like that. I have bought good antiques such as my 1880s handmade Irish hutch with sleigh feet and my 1700s drysink. I have bought floral prints I never tire of. I even bought a house with all the right colors in the right rooms and have only repainted one in 8 years.
I have never had so much money I could redo things like that. I have bought good antiques such as my 1880s handmade Irish hutch with sleigh feet and my 1700s drysink. I have bought floral prints I never tire of. I even bought a house with all the right colors in the right rooms and have only repainted one in 8 years.
As always, home colors are strictly personal. I’ve always been a fan of keeping the large wall/floor backgrounds -the “canvas”- neutral, so that the “art” of furnishings can shine. It’s important also to be a bit knowledgeable about the affects of color on the human brain. Large visual swaths of certain colors stimulate different centers in the brain, and so can have either a calming or excitable effect on physiology. Vivid colors tend to excite…increase pulse rate, blood pressure etc. while soft colors produce the opposite effect. I prefer that my home promote calm, so I guess that’s another reason I stick to the softer side of color on dominant surfaces.
I have just moved into to a little cottage by the lake. It is perfect for the two or us and the cats. I have half painted so far. I am going to paint the rest with the same colours. I am using BM Grey Cashmere. It is the softest green with grey undertones and it goes so well with my furniture. The couch we were given is floral and definitely outdated but the lines are classic. I am going to slipcover it in a neutral shade and as you say use colour on the pillows, artwork and accessories. This is the first time in my life that I am going to be able to decorate with my beloved pastels. I have antique and vintage furniture. This time it will be a labour of love. I love your decorating sense.
Good afternoon Anita,
First of all , Thanks so much for your blog! I look forward to reading your articles . Also appreciate your advice. Can you please share your interior colors , I read the above post of SW Agreeable Gray , But what is the name of the white . I am fixing to repaint my foyer and hallway and like the idea of neutral !
Thanks so much! Jill
The white is SW Eider white.
Loved your article….I’ve had off white sofas and love seats since the 80’s….even through the years when I had small kids….still love them to this day. People say dark colors hide dirt, I say light colors just tell you when it’s time to clean them!
I enjoy your website very much; however, for some reason only 3/4 of the page is there on my mac making it extremely
Frustrating to read and view all of your beautiful pics.
Am I doing something wrong? am I the only one with this problem?
Thank you in Advance
Cathy
No Cat. I have talked to my tech team, and I think you may have an older version of the browser you are using. Can you update it? Is it Internet Explorer? I will see if I can help you.
I love this post! Your tips for saving money are spot on…and I know this but have I learned the lesson? I’m beginning to get the picture. HA – Thankfully, I am in the middle of making decorating changes (what’s new?) and have decided this neutral canvas idea is the best way for the long haul! I get bored with my decorating, furniture placement, colors more often than some people well…let’s not go there; I just like change. Like you said, pillows and throws, pictures and window treatments are best in color and more efficiently replaced. Heck, I could sew my own if I didn’t take so much time changing the bigger things! UGH! Your post was so enjoyable and enlightening to me that I immediately forwarded to my dear childhood friend who also enjoys the frequent home decor change! 🙂
Thank you Elizabeth. I hope your friend enjoyed it also.
Anita, I’m with you on neutrals for furniture. I add color and pattern with drapes, curtains and accessories. Easier to replace those items than expensive furniture pieces. I love your blog! Happy New Year!
Everyone’s comments on the number of sofas they’ve had and the evolution of said sofas through the years really tickled me! In the 36 years I’ve been married we’ve had eight sofas. Only three were purchased brand new. The others were either hand me downs or second hand purchases. They ran the gamut from plaid, to a velvet floral, to a sage green micro fiber. Within the next year, we’ll be adding on a family room to our house and I’ll be in the market for a sofa yet again. Hopefully, this time I’ll get it right!
I appreciate you coming to our party every week. It s such an honor for us to share our blogs with you on Mondays, where other bloggers get to share their favorite posts of the week. I wanted to share some special highlights from Cedar Hill. This is information that I hope will help you to save money when you are decorating your home.