The Best Home Tip I’ve Ever Gotten Didn’t Come From a Pro—It Came From a Friend

As an interior design and trends writer, I am constantly researching the best home design and styling tips. I am also fortunate enough to speak to some of the best interior designers in the game and see some truly gorgeous spaces. 

However, when it comes to my own home, I’ve struggled to find my style and bring it to life. I was constantly chasing the moment where I’d finish a space and feel like I’d really nailed it—unsuccessfully, I’ll note. 

That is, until I received a simple piece of advice from a friend that transformed my approach to home decorating.

She wisely said: finding your interior design style takes time; trust the process and enjoy the journey.

The Pressure to Get It “Right” the First Time

For some, the idea that finding your design style will take time (and practice) may seem obvious. It’s just like anything else, right? Practice makes perfect, or something close to it anyway.

However, for the chronic perfection-chasers out there like me, this idea isn’t intuitive, and it can be pretty profound. 

Ask any interior design pro, and they’ve made their fair share of design mistakes throughout the years. It’s how you learn and grow.

In the end, it’s important not to let the fear of making the ‘wrong’ choice stop you from beginning the journey to styling a space that you genuinely love. Chances are, you won’t get it “right” the first time, and that’s okay. 

Want more design inspiration? Sign up for our free daily newsletter for the latest decor ideas, designer tips, and more!

Why Rushing the Process Rarely Works

This mindset shift helped me in a few ways. First, I stopped criticizing myself for the “mistakes” in my past; instead, I can acknowledge that they were stepping stones to help get me closer to a home that feels truly authentic to me. 

For example, about five years ago, my husband and I completed a big primary bedroom renovation in our new home. At the time, I was relatively new to the world of interior design, and I had no idea what I liked or what I wanted. Modern farmhouse interiors were trendy at the time, and I liked the way they looked, so I decided to lean into that aesthetic heavily. 

I loved incorporating bold black accents, which led to the decision to paint a black accent wall in our bedroom, install matte black fixtures everywhere, and upgrade hardware to match.

I kept the walls a stark white, and we installed warm walnut-toned laminate flooring to add some warmth. Admittedly, the decision was somewhat impulsive and lacked thorough research.

Today, our bedroom design irks me, and I’m already gearing up to give it a full-blown refresh (much to my husband’s dismay). To me, the space lacks warmth and character, and worst of all, it doesn’t match the rest of our home or its architectural details.

I’ve since learned that I don’t really like modern farmhouse design that much for my home! Frustrating? Yes. But a necessary growing pain, and a hard lesson learned: take your time, and don’t rush into a style you’re not 100% sure about just because it’s trending. 

Learning to Live in the “in-Between”

Taking your time to find your design style means your home may be figuratively stuck in limbo for some time. This idea was painful to me at first, but in reality, there’s flexibility and joy in embracing the “in-between.”

You can experiment, really think things over before you commit, ask friends and family for advice, and swap things out as needed. Perfection chasers: don’t be afraid of the in-between, it can be surprisingly freeing if you let it.

What I’d Tell Anyone Just Getting Started on Designing a Space

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of finding your home design style, I’ve been there. My biggest takeaway from my friend’s advice has been to literally slow down the process. 

For example, if I’m planning on repainting a room, I’ll really take my time choosing colors. I’ve left paint swatches on the walls for a few weeks before deciding on a shade—something I never would have done before.

I’m also more likely to test out a piece of decor in a room, and remove it if it’s just not working. Your decor decisions don’t need to be final on the first try.

Ultimately, I removed the pressure to finish things quickly, and I spent more time researching, searching for inspirational photos, and visualizing how I want my space to look.

Taking the time to chat with friends and family can also be helpful. They may surprise you with a piece of advice or a hard-learned lesson that will help you in the long run.

In the end, creating a home you love isn’t about getting it perfect—it’s about letting it grow with you, one thoughtful, imperfect, and authentic step at a time. So from one design novice to another, let me assure you: finding your design style takes time, so trust the process and enjoy the journey.