Want to expand your home decor comfort zone?

Lynn McMurray
Aug 24, 2017 · 7 min read
FreeImages.com/Mao Guerra

People are always sharing their fears with me around home decorating and asking me how to overcome them.

They say ‘Lynn, I love what you do. I love how you pull things together and you know just what will work with what. But me? I’m not brave enough. I wouldn’t know where to start! Any tips you can share?’

It’s possibly the number one thing I’m asked, over and over again.

I totally get it.

You’re afraid you’ll spend a ton of hard earned cash and then hate it when it’s complete.

You’re afraid you don’t have enough creativity to choose products and colours that work and the end result will be a disaaaaster darling

You’re afraid of demonstrating poor taste — OMG! What will your nearest and dearest say? ‘What were you thinking?!’

You end up sticking to the same colours and decorating style you’ve always used, feeling bored and frustrated. All the while envying everyone else who seems to be able to effortlessly make the impact in their home you’re longing for.

Of course I can help!

Of course I’ve got tips to share!

This article is going to take a look at the best way to break you out of your decorating comfort zone along with some specific ideas to get you started.

© Oksana Ryzhinskaya | Dreamstime.com

Why should we expand our comfort zone?

The Cambridge English Dictionary describes the comfort zone as

“A situation in which you feel comfortable and in which your ability and determination are not being tested”

So if we’re so comfortable there why would we want to leave it?

Well if you’re reading this then chances are you know why.

You’re bored with your decor. It feels bland and unsurprising. You crave something new, different, better, but you’re not sure where to start. Expanding your comfort zone puts you on the road to achieving those things.

We’re talking home decor here but the principles could apply to any area of your life — your social life, your personal style, your food choices….I could go on and on.

What are the advantages to pushing your boundaries?

  • You’ll discover new things you like and that bring you joy.
  • It helps you let go of perfectionism.
  • It increases your creativity.
  • You will have fewer regrets.
  • You will learn and grow as a result.
  • It’s fun!

How to start expanding your home decor comfort zone?

Many people mistakenly believe that in order to move out of your comfort zone you need to do something radically different. What’s the decor equivalent of hating heights and deciding to jump out of a plane? Painting your walls black? A sofa in a wildly garish print?

This is absolutely the wrong way to go about it.

Our comfort zone is where everything is familiar and we feel safe. Yep, those safe neutral decor colours and standard accents you keep choosing over and over again!

When we think of expanding our comfort zone in terms of performance and personal growth, it’s commonly accepted that best practice is to push out a little at a time. Just enough so that we feel stretched but not so much that we terrify ourselves and risk scuttling back into our comfort zone again.

The same rules apply when we want to push our style boundaries.

The space just outside our comfort zone is the first place we should push into.

It’s the sweet spot.

In time, that space just outside of your original comfort zone, the bit you moved into, will start to feel familiar and safe. From there you’re ready to push out a bit more. Mid-grey walls and a gentle print sofa this time?

Have you ever started an exercise regime? Trained for a 5K, 10K, a marathon even?

You started slowly right? You ran a little bit further each time so that your body got used to the new distance. You started lifting smaller weights first then worked your way up to the big daddies, right? Your muscles got used to your routine, then you were able to push on a bit further, lift something a bit heavier.

You would never dream of attempting to push yourself way beyond your physical capabilities too quickly. Your body just couldn’t cope.

When it comes to flexing those style muscles people often make the mistake of pushing out too far too soon.

This time it’s their mind that can’t cope.

Things are just too different for them.

It’s too hard to adjust.

They scurry back to their comfort zone thinking ‘Never again! I’ll just stick to what I know’

Best tip? Start slowly.

Here are a few simple ways to start you flexing those home decor style muscles and push you just outside your comfort zone.

1. Add a pop of colour

Bored with your neutrals? Find an inexpensive way to try out some accent colours. Check out budget stores such as Ikea or Dunelm. Add cushion covers or throws in a colour you might not normally choose. Pick out some vases or storage containers in a strong accent colour. Pay attention to the colours that give you joy!

Here’s a great article from My Domaine to get you started.

2. Learn to create a table scape or vignette

Gather together a few things you love and just have a play. You could use a few books, a vase, a travel souvenir, some framed photos, a plant — the possibilities are endless! With so many idea websites such as Pinterest available, even if you feel your own creativity is lacking, you can be inspired by others. Odd numbers of items with varying heights work best as a starting point. Mostly just have fun!

Here’s a great article from Stage My Own Home for some ideas.

3. Get to know your own decor style

Browse home magazines and online decor sites such as Houzz or Home Shopping Spy.

Get to know what you’re drawn to. When you’re shopping you can ask yourself ‘Does this fall in line with my style?’ If you’re more a country farmhouse lover, snagging a bargain on that ultra sleek, contemporary vase might be a step too far. In the beginning anyway.

Why not try out some of these online quizzes to help work out your decorating style?

4. Add seasonal accents

Changing your decor accents seasonally allows you to to try out different looks and keeps things fresh. Look for core pieces which allow you to do this. A multi-container piece will let you add daffodils in spring and berries in the Fall. A great, glass hurricane vase lets you add sand and sea shells in the summer or bright baubles at Christmas.

5. Update your wall art

When was the last time you switched up your pictures and photos? If you’ve been looking at the same prints for years (or even decades!!) it’s definitely time for a change. New art on the walls or some updated photos in frames can make a huge difference. If you’re not sure how to group pieces together check out this great article by Kate Simmons to get you started.

6. Be (just a little bit) daring!

Experiment with one small piece which you love but is definitely outside what you usually go for. Think quirky. Think unique. Think talking point. I love these products from the guys at Baa Stool. They say ‘Baa Stool is here to make people smile when they walk into a room. We do this by creating stylishly quirky furniture using real British sheepskin.’

Perfect I’d say! Exactly what we’re going for.

Photo courtesy of Baa Stool

In conclusion

It’s just home decor people! We’re not saving lives here!!

Honestly, what’s the worst that can happen?

So you need to repaint the wall because the colour was just too dark, too bright or whatever.

So your local home-start project benefitted from those transparent stools you bought because they looked fabulous but weren’t as comfortable as you thought they’d be.

But

You LOVED how that funky mirror looked in your hallway. You’d never have picked out that design before.

EVERYONE is complementing you on that great bright aqua rug in your family room. It’s such a great colour — something you wouldn’t normally have chosen.

Home decor should be fun! It needn’t be expensive either. Have the courage to try something new and don’t let your anxieties and the ‘what if’s’ stop you.

Get in touch. Share your stories and ideas.

What are some of the ways you’ve pushed your home decor boundaries?

Did you have a ‘love it!’ moment with something unusual you tried?

Did you have a disaster you’re willing to share? Hey we all have them! It’s part of the fun!

Do you have any other ideas on this subject?

Please share them, we’d love to hear from you.

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Lynn McMurray

Written by

Owner at theseasonaltouch.co.uk Home Decor, Seasonally Inspired. Former corporate learning & development specialist and customer experience guru.

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