How I Fall Back in Love With My Home (Again and Again)

Every once in a while, I get that itch. You know the one. The maybe-I-should-paint-the-walls-and-get-all-new-furniture itch. It usually shows up after scrolling Pinterest for 40 minutes too long or walking through the house with a cup of coffee in hand, silently judging everything I once thought was charming and cute.

But here’s the thing—9 times out of 10, I don’t actually need anything new. I just need new to me. And that, my friend, is where the magic of rearranging and rotating comes in (and this is my favorite skill).

Let me introduce you to my not-so-secret strategy for decorating a room without spending a dime—and honestly, it’s way more satisfying than clicking “add to cart.” Swear.

First, Shop Your Own House

I know, it sounds a little silly, but stay with me here. The best decorating store might just be…your own home.

That lamp in the guest room that no one sees? Try it out in the living room. The little side table that’s been living a silent life in the corner of the bedroom? Give it a shot by the couch. Art from the hallway, baskets from the linen closet, a rug swap between rooms—these little shake-ups can make a room feel brand new.

It’s like remixing your space. A little less Beyoncé, a little more Better Homes & Gardens.

Next, Rearrange Like You Mean It

If you’ve had your furniture in the exact same place for five years (maybe even more), I get it. Once you find a layout that works, why mess with it? Right?

But sometimes, messing with it is exactly what you need to do. Try moving the couch to the other wall, splitting up a matching chair set (or lamps, gasp!), or floating a piece away from the wall. Put a bench under a window. Turn the bed. Live a little!

You might spend half an hour pushing furniture around like you’re starring in your own HGTV show—but it’s worth it when you step back and go, “Wait. Why didn’t I do this sooner?” Make sure to invest in and use some inexpensive furniture sliders, they make moving even the most obnoxiously heavy pieces a breeze! They make some for carpets and some for hardwood floors. I always keep mine handy.

Home decor items in a decor closed organized by like items.

Home decor items stacked on a shelf in a decor closet.

The Decor Closet, A Personal Favorite of Mine

Now for the real secret weapon—the decor closet. Or cabinet. Or shelf in the garage. It doesn’t matter where it lives, just that it exists.

Mine’s a little closet in the hallway to the garage where I keep things like lampshades, seasonal garlands, candle sticks and holders, pillow covers (every shape, size, color, texture, and pattern haha), picture frames I’m not using right now, vases and pitchers, baskets (wire, wicker, rope, wooden—you name it, I’ve got it), faux plants, flowers, and branches (no shame), the occasional wreath that didn’t quite make the cut this year, and roosters—lots and lots of roosters.

I rotate things in and out based on season, mood, or just because I’m bored. It’s like having a mini home decor boutique on standby. And when you pull something out after it’s been tucked away for a while? It feels like a little treasure. Like finding $20 in your winter coat pocket from two ski seasons ago.

A Few Quick Pro Tips

Rotate with the seasons. Bring out warm textures and deep colors in the fall, light and airy pieces in the spring.
Try new combos. That print you always hang in the dining room? See how it looks layered over a bedroom dresser.
Play with scale. Stack books under a lamp to give it height. Put a small mirror on a tray with a candle and call it a vignette.
Use what you have creatively. A kitchen pitcher makes a great vase. A pretty scarf becomes a table runner or can be thrown over the back of a chair. Even a cutting board (or that fancy charcuterie board you seldom use) can become wall art.

And the Best Part?

You didn’t spend a dime. You just spent an afternoon playing with your space and remembering why you loved that quirky little end table or that floral throw you stuffed in the back of the closet (which strangely feels brand new now).

It’s cozy. It’s resourceful. And it’s the kind of decorating that makes a house feel lived-in and loved—not just styled. And that’s what makes me happiest.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to go move the mirror from the guest bath into the entryway—again. It think it works better over there.