Do you ever find yourself stuck, unsure which direction to take with a room so you end up doing nothing? I do. If you want to make real progress on a room this month, take the ideas here as inspiration — and permission — to make a decision. It doesn’t need to be perfect or permanent. For organizing or decorating tasks especially, a temporary choice is often enough to move you forward.
When I’m indecisive, I often pretend there’s a deadline. Maybe guests are coming and I want the room to feel finished so I can stop worrying about it and enjoy the visit. That imagined deadline helps me make quick, practical choices.
For me, “finished” means focusing on a few clear actions: tidy the room so it’s not a mess, remove items that don’t belong, and identify the one thing that bothers me most about the space so I can address it reasonably within the month. It’s about taking realistic steps based on budget, time, and skill level rather than trying to do everything at once.
If painting the whole room feels overwhelming and the current color is fine for now, I don’t force it. I save that task for later. If I want to paint but can’t settle on the perfect shade, I pick one and remind myself, “it’s only paint.” If I can’t decide on the ideal bedding style, I choose a seasonal look — call it my “winter” bedding — and give myself permission to change it later if it doesn’t feel right long term.
When perfectionism or procrastination slows me down, I set small goals with deadlines or add a reward to push myself forward. Little incentives and time limits help me finish the tasks I can commit to this month.
Give yourself permission to make design decisions so you can move forward!
I’m following my own advice while working on my bedroom as part of an A Lovely January challenge. Focusing on a single room and working within a modest budget has helped the space feel more complete and more like us. I’m not tackling everything at once, but I’m doing enough to feel inspired and satisfied.
JOIN US FOR A LOVELY JANUARY!
A Lovely January is an invitation to pick one room and make progress this month. Choose manageable goals and take steps that matter to you — even small ones. Share your progress with others if that motivates you.
It’s been wonderful seeing projects and progress in our community. Sharing ideas and updates inspires everyone involved and keeps momentum going.
I’ll share my bedroom update soon — I’m excited about a statement piece I ordered and a simple installation we’re finishing now. The room is moving in a direction I love and I can’t wait to reveal it.
More Inspiration:
4 Important First Steps to Take When Designing a Room
How to Find Your Style (+Favorite Design Books)
The Most Regrettable Design Mistake You Can Make
How to Decorate: Browse Inspiration Room by Room
Browse our Style Tips blog posts