I’ve worked in and around the interior decorating industry for almost 20 years, and it’s never ceased to surprise me how people seem really afraid to decorate. That’s not to say they don’t want to or don’t enjoy the idea of it, but when it comes to actually pulling the trigger and making decisions about their home, people seem really afraid.

Exhibit A – many years ago I was working in a high-end furniture store. A woman came in (without the interior decorator she normally shopped with) looking for a side table to go next to her sofa. She found one she absolutely loved. She asked me a million times if I thought it would work in her space, and I tried to reassure her as much as I could. Finally, she decided to buy it – until she looked at the tag. It wasn’t the price that scared her off, it was the description. “Oh no!” she cried. “It says end table, and my decorator says I need a side table.” I wasn’t sure what to say. “Oh, don’t worry about that. It’s the same thing.” But she wasn’t having it. The size was right, the color was right, and the style was right, but she was so scared that it was the wrong thing, she left without it.

Over the years I’ve seen so many people do similar things. They’re so nervous and untrusting of their own style that they’re literally afraid to decorate. Why? Has the culture of Pinterest perfection made us feel so inferior that we can’t trust ourselves and our own likes and dislikes?

This is going to sound very cheesy, but decorating shouldn’t be about perfection, it should be about love – love for our homes and how they make us feel.

Remove the Pressure of Perfection

Perfection in decorating doesn’t exist. I repeat, PERFECTION IN DECORATING DOESN’T EXIST! Sure, there are measurements to keep in mind, and mathematical equations that can help with space planning, but when it comes right down to it, perfection is in the eye of the beholder. Style preferences will always differ, comfort levels will always differ, and the way people live in their homes will always differ. So stop worrying about creating a space that will look “perfect” in the eyes of the world, because such a place will never truly exist. What works for one person may not work for another.

The other thing to keep in mind is that homes are almost always works-in-progress. They’re never truly finished. They ebb and flow as tastes change and things come and go from our lives. Half the fun is in allowing for change, so leave room in your home to account for this kind of stuff, and don’t worry about creating perfection.

Trust Your Gut – and Your Eyes!

Every time I think of ‘side table woman’ I wish I could go back and give her a pep talk. Reassure her that if that table was something she truly loved (and she really seemed to!) then it would work in her home. No matter what she thought she needed, she should have trusted her own eyes and allowed herself the room to have fun with her home. Aside from the fact that side tables and end tables are different names for the same thing, she was just so scared, it made me kind of sad for her. I’ve always lived by the idea that if you fill your home with things you love, it will work out. Things might not always fit the way an interior decorator might plan them, but that’s ok.

Last year my husband and I were renovating our kitchen and we opted for a wood backsplash. People told us we were crazy, that it would stain and get damaged. We did it anyway and we love it. Sure, it’s not for everyone, but we went with our instincts and haven’t regretted it for a second. I really believe that the items in your home should bring you joy, even if other people don’t quite get it. Ultimately, trust your gut and know that your home is for you.

Don’t Overspend

I think one of the reasons that people are afraid to decorate is due to the financial impact. Decorating is expensive, there’s no doubt about it. And a professionally decorated room can cost many thousands of dollars. That can create fear in anyone. So while I always believe in buying good-quality items, don’t get caught up in the idea that something has to be expensive to be good. Look for a price/quality balance and don’t let decorating shows or Pinterest boards tell you differently.

Also, while it’s great to take decorating risks sometimes, don’t take them on major items. If you decide that you suddenly love purple, don’t buy an expensive purple rug or purple sofa. Try purple throw pillows or blankets. Stick with neutral colors and classic styles for the big expensive items, and that will allow for tons of freedom as your tastes shift and evolve.

Well, that’s my two cents on the topic. Ultimately people can and should decorate however they see fit. My only wish is that people would stop being so afraid to decorate their homes with their own unique style, and gain the confidence to just do it.

What about you? Have you ever felt this fear? Sound off below in the comments and let me know your opinion!