What is Slow Decorating?

You Ask, We Answer: What is Slow Decorating?

Once your Calcagni Real Estate agent has found you the house you love, you may be tempted to finish decorating it ASAP. But the “slow decorating” movement may be on to something—and it may help you love your home even more in the long run. Let’s dive in to what slow decorating is all about, and how it may infuse decorating your home with a newfound sense of joy.

In today’s fast-paced world, we’re bombarded with marketing emails promising the best for less, Instagram images of perfectly decorated spaces, and an overall frenetic urge to make everything look just so in the span of a minute.

For anyone who has just moved in, is on a budget, or is unsure of their decorating style, these constant messages of creating the perfect home can cause us to look around our houses and feel overwhelmed by all that’s not completed yet. But take heart: The slow decorating trend is an antidote to the mindless consumption and pressure that can sneak up on all of us—and a welcome one, at that.

Slow decorating means just that: Taking time to get to know your space and really living in it to determine how to decorate it. Instead of moving into the house you just bought from Calcagni Real Estate (congratulations, by the way!) and ordering rugs, furniture, lighting, and artwork to fill your new rooms within a month or two, slow decorating invites you to be intentional with your decorating. How does the light filter through the windows through different times of day, and during different seasons? Is there a particular room that has cold floors and needs a large rug? Or perhaps it’s warm enough to let those hardwood floors really shine through? Do you have a cherished antique dining table that you love, but aren’t sure how it will fit in with your more modern home? Slow decorating allows you to really take stock of what you want—and what you don’t—and how to bring it all together to create a home that’s truly yours.

Slow decorating by its name implies taking your time to decorate your space. And that equals less pressure and less stress. By taking more time to consider how you want your space to look, chances are, you’ll be happier with how it turns out.

Another benefit of slow decorating is that it doesn’t require a huge budget up front. Saving up for a special piece of furniture, a beautifully framed family photo, or even some new throw pillows just seems more doable over time—once again, helping to alleviate the stress that can surface when decorating your home.

Lastly, slow decorating allows for timeless design. Trends come and go, and you may still find yourself following them—and that’s ok. But slow decorating allows for thoughtful decision-making that can often result in looks that stand the test of time, and a more cohesive look over time.

The first step of slow decorating is to find your decorating style. Using magazines, Instagram, or Pinterest, start pulling images that resonate with you. You’ll probably start to notice some common themes. Next, try to define your style using three decorating adjectives. Are you traditional, colorful, neutral, modern? Cozy, bold, minimalist, boho? Once you have your three adjectives, use them to whittle down the looks you like. If the images don’t reflect your adjectives, leave them out of the equation.

Slow decorating means you can be thoughtful about what you’re bringing into your home. Perhaps you love antiques but haven’t yet found that one-of-a-kind mirror to really pull your living room together. Or maybe it’s that hallway bench you saw on Etsy that you know will look beautiful in your home. By being discerning about the items you purchase over time, you’ll create a house that really feels like a home.

It’s easy to be tempted by freebies, seasonal sales, and clearance racks. After all, who doesn’t love a good deal? But by being mindful and discerning about what you’re bringing into your home, you’ll not only save money in the long run, you’ll save clutter and stress— all while building an oasis that is truly a reflection of you and your style.

Are you ready to get on board with slow decorating? Let us know how it goes!