Why You Shouldn't Shop 'Til You Drop

First off, I completely understand that overwhelming excitement of finally deciding to redecorate, even the smallest spaces. Once you are in that headspace, it is incredibly hard to NOT go out and buy everything you think is pretty, cool, and “your style.” I have done that many of times, and while the initial thrill of hanging those new pictures and rearranging your new throw pillows is awesome, I always end up unsatisfied in a couple of days.

I finally started to ask myself why that was, and I realized that I was just buying things to buy things. I wanted a quick change in decor, and I got a quick fix, but no thought was put into the change. After years of this chaotic (and expensive!) habit, I starting playing the long game with my home decor.

My dear friend Chelsea and I often talk about how frustrating it is to dream a look or idea up in your head and not being able to find what you are looking for. This frustration often lead to impulse purchases that even more often lead to that purchase being places on the side of the road. (Or smashed, I’m talking to YOU, cheap, flimsy, Target desk!!) Now, when I decide to change my decor, of even just add something, I think about what would fill the space nicely, what complements my current decor, what shape and textures I am looking for, and then…. I be patient.

My most recent example is my search for a coffee table. In our living room, we had a tiny gray build-it-yourself table from my husband’s bachelor pad, a.k.a. College Party Apartment. I hated that coffee table SO much that anything would have been an improvement. Nothing in our home is gray-toned, and it was much too small to fit the space properly. I knew that I wanted a circular, double leveled, wood and metal coffee table with about a three foot diameter.

We went to every furniture store in town, Hobby Lobby, Target, Walmart, Gordman’s, and ALL of my other go-to stores, and I was not content with anything. I looked on Amazon, and nothing tickled my fancy. Still, I was patient. We moved in together in April, and finally, in December, I found what I was looking for. My dream coffee table was placed on Amazon (and $100 cheaper than my second favorite from TJ Maxx!)

All of that patience lead to a piece of furniture that I am genuinely excited about, and that I know will be in my home for many years to come. As much fun as it is to shop and instantly finding something good enough, finding that perfect piece, whether it is furniture, a bedspread, or even just a fun pillow, patience is key to getting the desired result. Happy hunting!

First off, I completely understand that overwhelming excitement of finally deciding to redecorate, even the smallest spaces. Once you are in that headspace, it is incredibly hard to NOT go out and buy everything you think is pretty, cool, and “your style.” I have done that many of times, and while the initial thrill of hanging those new pictures and rearranging your new throw pillows is awesome, I always end up unsatisfied in a couple of days.

I finally started to ask myself why that was, and I realized that I was just buying things to buy things. I wanted a quick change in decor, and I got a quick fix, but no thought was put into the change. After years of this chaotic (and expensive!) habit, I starting playing the long game with my home decor.

My dear friend Chelsea and I often talk about how frustrating it is to dream a look or idea up in your head and not being able to find what you are looking for. This frustration often lead to impulse purchases that even more often lead to that purchase being places on the side of the road. (Or smashed, I’m talking to YOU, cheap, flimsy, Target desk!!) Now, when I decide to change my decor, of even just add something, I think about what would fill the space nicely, what complements my current decor, what shape and textures I am looking for, and then…. I be patient.

My most recent example is my search for a coffee table. In our living room, we had a tiny gray build-it-yourself table from my husband’s bachelor pad, a.k.a. College Party Apartment. I hated that coffee table SO much that anything would have been an improvement. Nothing in our home is gray-toned, and it was much too small to fit the space properly. I knew that I wanted a circular, double leveled, wood and metal coffee table with about a three foot diameter.

We went to every furniture store in town, Hobby Lobby, Target, Walmart, Gordman’s, and ALL of my other go-to stores, and I was not content with anything. I looked on Amazon, and nothing tickled my fancy. Still, I was patient. We moved in together in April, and finally, in December, I found what I was looking for. My dream coffee table was placed on Amazon (and $100 cheaper than my second favorite from TJ Maxx!)

All of that patience lead to a piece of furniture that I am genuinely excited about, and that I know will be in my home for many years to come. As much fun as it is to shop and instantly finding something good enough, finding that perfect piece, whether it is furniture, a bedspread, or even just a fun pillow, patience is key to getting the desired result. Happy hunting!