Fun Houzz: 10 Reasons to Ditch Perfectionism in Your Home
Scrap order, ditch the pristine, let go of perfectionism and watch how vibrant and spirited your home can become
Lara Sargent
20 October 2015
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
As a self-confessed hoarder, lover of neon splashes and dedicated follower of eclectic style, I am perhaps the polar opposite of a perfectionist when it comes to my home. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with matching furniture, clean and clear surfaces and a harmonious palette of elegant neutrals, but sometimes it’s nice to break the rules, free yourself from style constraints and go wild. Check out 10 reasons to ditch perfectionism and try something a little bit different.
So you can embrace car-boot sale finds
Let’s face it, if you’re an interiors perfectionist with a penchant for fixtures and fittings that are super shiny and brand spanking new, you probably don’t fancy the idea of foraging around in a car-boot sale or second-hand shop.
For me, this is where some of my most interesting finds have come from. Be it a pretty piece of cut glass, a length of vintage fabric or a battered leather suitcase, all of these well-worn, well-loved treasures add so much personality and flair to a home.
Let’s face it, if you’re an interiors perfectionist with a penchant for fixtures and fittings that are super shiny and brand spanking new, you probably don’t fancy the idea of foraging around in a car-boot sale or second-hand shop.
For me, this is where some of my most interesting finds have come from. Be it a pretty piece of cut glass, a length of vintage fabric or a battered leather suitcase, all of these well-worn, well-loved treasures add so much personality and flair to a home.
Because untidy piles are things of beauty
There is something delightful about creating an eye-catching display out of all your treasured pieces that don’t naturally have a home.
This rustic, homespun storage hub has been created from old wooden crates to utilise a redundant under-stairs space. Fill with vintage signs, old books, retro radios, tin lanterns – basically anything that takes your fancy – and let your display evolve as you discover new pieces.
Get more inspiration for using wooden crates
There is something delightful about creating an eye-catching display out of all your treasured pieces that don’t naturally have a home.
This rustic, homespun storage hub has been created from old wooden crates to utilise a redundant under-stairs space. Fill with vintage signs, old books, retro radios, tin lanterns – basically anything that takes your fancy – and let your display evolve as you discover new pieces.
Get more inspiration for using wooden crates
So you can colour clash to your heart’s content
Ditch the strict, colour-coordinated vibe and go all out with bold neons, metallics and sumptuous dark tones all at once.
Being bold with your walls, accessories and furniture will create an uplifting ambience to get you through those dark winter evenings.
Discover 10 shifts in attitude that will help create a better home
Ditch the strict, colour-coordinated vibe and go all out with bold neons, metallics and sumptuous dark tones all at once.
Being bold with your walls, accessories and furniture will create an uplifting ambience to get you through those dark winter evenings.
Discover 10 shifts in attitude that will help create a better home
Because you can create your own movable art gallery
Forget matching frames and identical-sized photos. A series of propped-up pictures, ad hoc postcards, prints and artwork can be equally as pleasing as a carefully curated gallery.
Bare white walls look fabulous as a backdrop to a ledge filled with colourful artwork, be it in the bedroom, living room or kitchen. And best of all, you can switch around and add to your gallery whenever you acquire new pieces.
See 10 inexpensive ways to make your bedroom beautiful
Forget matching frames and identical-sized photos. A series of propped-up pictures, ad hoc postcards, prints and artwork can be equally as pleasing as a carefully curated gallery.
Bare white walls look fabulous as a backdrop to a ledge filled with colourful artwork, be it in the bedroom, living room or kitchen. And best of all, you can switch around and add to your gallery whenever you acquire new pieces.
See 10 inexpensive ways to make your bedroom beautiful
To get the most out of your materials
Leather, wood and metal only get better with age and use, so don’t hide away worn patches on your sofa or disguise the odd scuff on your oak refectory table. Pieces like this will develop a lovely patina over time that will add character and history, which means we can sit back and relax without having to worry about our furniture.
Leather, wood and metal only get better with age and use, so don’t hide away worn patches on your sofa or disguise the odd scuff on your oak refectory table. Pieces like this will develop a lovely patina over time that will add character and history, which means we can sit back and relax without having to worry about our furniture.
So you can try a distressed paint finish
I’m sure we’ve all been tempted by the feel-good charm of distressed furniture. A beautiful, well-worn paint finish offers so much character, hides the dust ever so well, and works beautifully with contemporary pieces, too.
For real authenticity, pick up pieces that have naturally worn away over the years. Or, if you fancy getting your hands dirty, give it a go yourself with a tin of chalky paint, some wire wool and a little wax. You never know, you could love it.
I’m sure we’ve all been tempted by the feel-good charm of distressed furniture. A beautiful, well-worn paint finish offers so much character, hides the dust ever so well, and works beautifully with contemporary pieces, too.
For real authenticity, pick up pieces that have naturally worn away over the years. Or, if you fancy getting your hands dirty, give it a go yourself with a tin of chalky paint, some wire wool and a little wax. You never know, you could love it.
Because you need an excuse to use up your tester pots
Don’t throw your tester pots out with the bathwater just because you’ve decided against that particular shade for an entire room. Instead, save the miniature tins and revamp an old dresser or chair. You’ll end up with something unique that you’d never be able to find in the shops.
Don’t throw your tester pots out with the bathwater just because you’ve decided against that particular shade for an entire room. Instead, save the miniature tins and revamp an old dresser or chair. You’ll end up with something unique that you’d never be able to find in the shops.
So you can put your ‘beautility’ items on show
Beautility – where storage mixes beauty and utility – gives you the perfect excuse to display all of the cans, vessels and vases you’ve collected over time. Stick to a similar colour palette for a harmonious look, but feel free to mix up different sizes, shapes, prints and patterns for a more individual feel.
Browse 10 kitchens that break the mould
Beautility – where storage mixes beauty and utility – gives you the perfect excuse to display all of the cans, vessels and vases you’ve collected over time. Stick to a similar colour palette for a harmonious look, but feel free to mix up different sizes, shapes, prints and patterns for a more individual feel.
Browse 10 kitchens that break the mould
Because any object goes
Letting go of perfectionism opens you up to an entire world of quirky and interesting objects that perhaps don’t fit into any particular style or category. It allows you to fill your home with objects that have a history, tell a story and say something about yourself.
Letting go of perfectionism opens you up to an entire world of quirky and interesting objects that perhaps don’t fit into any particular style or category. It allows you to fill your home with objects that have a history, tell a story and say something about yourself.
So you can mix and match with abandon
Once you ditch perfectionism, the interiors world really is your oyster. I love the combination of the patterned retro armchairs, modern pea green sofa, pretty wallpaper and coloured cushions in this room, just to shake things up a little.
TELL US…
Are you a lover of perfectionism or eclecticism in your own home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Once you ditch perfectionism, the interiors world really is your oyster. I love the combination of the patterned retro armchairs, modern pea green sofa, pretty wallpaper and coloured cushions in this room, just to shake things up a little.
TELL US…
Are you a lover of perfectionism or eclecticism in your own home? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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I have a few friends, though, whose lives are made so much more difficult by their rat packing habits (or their family's habits). I suppose in controlled doses, it can be charming, but I think it's easy to let stuff overtake your home and it can cause stress that your home is so cluttered. Untidy piles are only things of beauty if they are very carefully orchestrated.
The is Only One Correct Look For The Inside of A House!!!! ... whatever look makes the occupant feel happy!