I think it’s all the images we see if perfect home interiors - so chic and stylish! Then we look at our own living rooms…clunky fireplaces, poor little, drab curtains. It’s so expensive to make major changes so we carry on… I think a fresh coat of paint does wonders. But you’d have to be willing to do it yourself! Scan FB marketplace for furniture - lots of great things on there! Finally - a new rug.

I feel you, OP. Our couch just got SO MUCH MORE USE over the past 18 months and frankly it's on its last legs. Barely holding on.

That said, maybe think seasonally? refresh all the accessories - go for fall/halloween. Then redecorate for Christmas, then maybe your old stuff would be ok by January?

If you haven’t yet, really good cleaning while decluttering. Try a minimalist look if you have a lot of things like frames, candles, books, seasonal. Once all done, paint. If you can do yourself it is only cost of paint. A fresh new “ white” or whatever your neutral favorite. Maybe new inexpensive drapes. Also a new bedspread or throw to put over a sofa or chair. Go around your house and move stuff around!

I hear you, OP. I get that feeling too, sometimes. And then feel badly for being ungrateful / materialistic.

New throw pillow covers - there are a ton of options on Amazon and they are very inexpensive. Some new wall art - I like to visit estate sales and thrift stores for vintage stuff, and FB marketplace has great stuff too. New curtains - JC Penney has lots of options. And have the house professionally cleaned!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All of a sudden I can't stand our couches, the paint color, the coffee tables, any of it. I don't have the $$ for a total overhaul of our stuff - but I can probably put maybe $1000 into getting some stuff that'll help me love my house again. I guess I should try rearranging some things - and then: how do I come to love my house again?!

Add a zillion pillows and lots of bright flowers. Works in all the design magazines, anyway.

This! Etsy is the best for pillows in designer fabrics. Can completely change the feel of a room.

Paint, rent a rug machine and use the upholstery attachment on the couches. Then go to IKEA and buy Ritva or Aina panels, two per side (so four per window). Make sure your curtain rods are high and go past the windows so the curtains won’t block them. Hem the curtains if needed. Then buy some flowers. That’s approaching $1000 probably and it will help.

Move the furniture around the rooms in a different configuration. If it still looks dull, remove clutter and move/add new wall art.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:People need change. Unless it’s a very special object that has value beyond function and looks (like it reminds you of your beloved grandmother or something), this happens to most people with most things.

You can make a big impact with changing simple decor like throw pillows and flowers, as OP mentioned. You can also switch around the layout and add cheap art. Paint will make a huge difference.

Also you can do a gratitude practice. And not just “I’m grateful that at least I have a couch.” It will probably help. But I would make a few changes too.

OP here and I DEFINITELY do that - partly because I am so superstitious that I feel like if I am not constantly knocking wood and whatnot the evil eye is going to come and take it all away. And yet at the same time: I would love a new couch and new paint and man

(Knock wood knock wood - please don't take away all my stuff evil eye!)

Anonymous wrote:I know how you feel, OP. My house is starting to feel stale and shabby.

I think it’s because we’ve all spent so much time in our houses over the past 18 months or so. So many things are getting worn out with heavy use, too. My sofa developed a rip that can’t be repaired, and I just haven’t gotten around to replacing it.

At least I’m not having much company so I don’t have to worry about people seeing it.

This is OP - and yes, it's the shabbiness! Everything suddenly looks so shabby! Like it's dirty and can't get clean. One of my husband's old coworkers stopped by last week while he was in our area and he was in this really dapper suit, and I was suddenly just so aware of how shabby and random all our stuff looked. Like I was saying to my husband yesterday, I feel like it all looks like we picked it up off the street - and not in a good way!

Anonymous wrote:People need change. Unless it’s a very special object that has value beyond function and looks (like it reminds you of your beloved grandmother or something), this happens to most people with most things.

You can make a big impact with changing simple decor like throw pillows and flowers, as OP mentioned. You can also switch around the layout and add cheap art. Paint will make a huge difference.

Also you can do a gratitude practice. And not just “I’m grateful that at least I have a couch.” It will probably help. But I would make a few changes too.

People need change. Unless it’s a very special object that has value beyond function and looks (like it reminds you of your beloved grandmother or something), this happens to most people with most things.

You can make a big impact with changing simple decor like throw pillows and flowers, as OP mentioned. You can also switch around the layout and add cheap art. Paint will make a huge difference.

I hate my stuff, too. House swap? The stuff is not bad; I am just so sick of looking at it for the last year and a half.

I know how you feel, OP. My house is starting to feel stale and shabby.

I think it’s because we’ve all spent so much time in our houses over the past 18 months or so. So many things are getting worn out with heavy use, too. My sofa developed a rip that can’t be repaired, and I just haven’t gotten around to replacing it.

At least I’m not having much company so I don’t have to worry about people seeing it.

Anonymous wrote:All of a sudden I can't stand our couches, the paint color, the coffee tables, any of it. I don't have the $$ for a total overhaul of our stuff - but I can probably put maybe $1000 into getting some stuff that'll help me love my house again. I guess I should try rearranging some things - and then: how do I come to love my house again?!

Add a zillion pillows and lots of bright flowers. Works in all the design magazines, anyway.

All of a sudden I can't stand our couches, the paint color, the coffee tables, any of it. I don't have the $$ for a total overhaul of our stuff - but I can probably put maybe $1000 into getting some stuff that'll help me love my house again. I guess I should try rearranging some things - and then: how do I come to love my house again?!