Do you ever find yourself in a creative lull with your home? Most of us do at some point. I’m just coming out of one myself. It’s common to feel this after finishing a remodel or a string of major projects.
Dining Bench Source
There’s a clear reason for that lull. For months you’ve been solving problems, imagining new ideas, and then bringing them to life. That process is exhilarating but can also be draining.
When a big project wraps up, those daily activities stop. The change of pace can feel like a relief at first, but if other areas of your home still need attention and you aren’t ready to dive into another large renovation, restlessness can creep in.
A period of rest after a major project can be rejuvenating. It gives your mind room to recover and often creates space for a new vision to emerge. That downtime also encourages gratitude for what you’ve completed and helps you feel content with your accomplishments.
I’ve learned not to rush out of a lull. Taking time to pause lets me tend to other priorities and restore balance in life. It also gives me a chance to enjoy the finished project, which often sparks fresh ideas.
That’s what happened to me. After our kitchen remodel, I had no immediate plans for another large project and the budget wasn’t there anyway. Still, I wanted to make progress around the house this year, so I waited for inspiration.
The lull gave me space to think through smaller, more manageable updates. My new plan was to focus on modest style changes for the rest of the year, using the completed kitchen as a style guide for the adjoining rooms. Small steps felt more realistic and satisfying than diving into another big renovation.
Inspired by the mood of the remodeled kitchen, I made several simple updates to our dining room—most with items I already owned. A curtain swap, rearranging furniture, hanging plates on the wall, and adding a pair of lamps helped refine the room’s look without much expense.
Having a completed space like the kitchen made decision-making easier. It set the tone and helped tie other rooms together. Those small edits refreshed the dining room and nudged me forward to continue updating other areas.
Progress doesn’t have to be dramatic. Small, intentional changes add up and keep the creative momentum going. Baby steps are still steps forward, and that’s what matters.
In part two of this post, I’ll share five ways I jump-start creativity to further refine my style, and I’ll show more detail about the simple dining room changes and how they influenced other rooms in our home.
Dining room sources:
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Sources and details:
Dining Banquette Bench (many pattern options)
Blue honeycomb pillows
Rattan chairs: sold out from World Market (similar options available)
Wingback dining chairs: sold out from World Market (similar options available)
Ombre beaded chandelier (or similar chandelier)
Woven window shades
Curtains
Rattan etagere/bookshelf – thrifted (similar styles available)
Gray and white striped pillows
Watercolor floral pillow
Peacock art print
Crane art print
Blue and white dishes
Round white rattan mirror
Gray ceramic table lamps and linen lampshades
Woven planter – Ikea
Copper planter
Polish pottery
Sisal rug
“It Is Well With My Soul” artwork (above fireplace)
Wall color: Simply White by Benjamin Moore
Shiplap wall details