What to do when your current Home isn’t your dream Home

I think we made a mistake when we purchased our current home.

It was our first home purchase as a married couple. It was larger than what he had seen. I think that’s what sold us. It had been a rental so it was in dire need of love. And this Optimist thought–oh, I can make it look awesome!! Polish her up, she’ll be a great house!

The Optimist overestimates the time I have available, the Perfectionist wants it perfect, and wants it now. None of that is happening. So it was no surprise my wheels started spinning when we (foolishly) toured a model home in a nearby neighborhood. “How can I have that house!? We need to move!” But that isn’t happening anytime soon. So I asked myself, “How can I make my current home, my dream home?”

Here’s what I came up with:

Declutter. This one is no surprise, based on what this blog is about. But it’s true. Whenever I finish decluttering a room, I fall in love with it! It functions better, I feel more relaxed in it. It feels larger. And I can see what I need to purchase to make it prettier…a new rug. A chair. A coffee table. And once I do, I feel like I have a new room!

Paint. You will not believe how much a coat of paint can change the look or feel of a room. Even painting the same color freshens not only the look but sometimes can even cover stale odors. Not that we have any of those (LOL).

That doesn’t just go for a room– painting a table, or your dining room chairs or that tired old bedroom dresser, can make it look like a new piece of furniture. I’ve painted door knobs , cabinet hardware and light fixtures (oil rubbed bronze spray paint, I love you).

I even painted our old brass fireplace screen–it looks new. I’ve seen someone paint their dated tile floor. WOW. I challenge you this week to find something that is driving you crazy and try painting it–I bet you’d be surprised how much that will freshen it up.

Decor Short Cuts. Recently, I’ve tried some of these and the impact is WOW. Peel and stick tile backsplash in a kitchen or bathroom. Replace (or tile over) your current floor with peel and stick flooring. Luxury vinyl has come a long way. You can purchase peel and stick wall treatments like rustic shiplap. We have installed peel and stick wallpaper in our living room. I love the look. It really warmed up the room. And it literally takes no skill

We installed Peel and Stick Faux Grass Cloth Wallpaper as an accent wall behind our TV

Purchase just one new item. Sometimes all a room needs is a new rug, curtains or a new plant. Try adding just one thing–or change furniture and art around–bring the painting in from your bedroom. Move the chair to your sitting room. We’ve all heard of this, but have you tried it? I promise, it might take a little time and trial and error to get it right but one item that looks boring and bland in one room can be the feature in another!

Create Memories. I bet you never thought about how much our memories make a house a home. Start making memories with your family.

We lived in a small home until I was 16. It had a small kitchen and only one and a half bathrooms for 5 people but it was always clean and my mom and I loved heading to Chicago to go to estate sales and antiquing to find unique little items to decorate it. I remember hosting Thanksgiving with my cousins and playing Barbies with friends in the basement family room.

I learned to make the perfect hamburger in our gas broiler. I remember having Halloween parties and surprise birthday parties. We played Kickball in the backyard. I talked on the phone for HOURS to my friends on my bed upstairs. Those are what made that home special to me. That’s what made it a home I miss to this day.

So you see, you don’t have to live in your dream “Some-day” home to love the home you’re in. It may take a little elbow grease and cooperation from your family but it’s worth it in the end.

Home is our respite from the world, the place we can retreat. Make the home you live in now your dream home, instead of waiting till someday. With a little effort we can all have a place we are proud of and happy to be in. One where sweet memories are made. And who knows, your current home, may just end up being your favorite.

What’s your favorite memory in the home you grew up in? Do you remember how fancy it was or what you did there most? What have you done recently to improve your home? I would love to hear!