What to Do When Your Home Doesn’t Match the Life You’re Living Now

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What to Do When Your Home Doesn’t Match the Life You’re Living Now

If your home doesn’t match the life you’re living now, you’re not alone. Many women reach a point where their home — once full of memories, family, and years of collected furniture — starts to feel disconnected from who they are today.

Maybe you’ve recently downsized, or inherited furniture from a parent, or blended households with a new partner. Or simply found yourself in a new phase of life — with different needs, routines, and rhythms.

But your home hasn’t caught up. And it’s quietly wearing on you.

Built in bookcases are an excellent home project or improvement. Design by Markham Roberts

 

The Emotional Weight of a Disconnected Home

When your environment reflects an older version of you — or worse, someone else’s tastes entirely — you start to feel stuck.

It’s not just that the furniture doesn’t fit.

It’s that you’ve grown, and your home hasn’t.

You may find yourself…

  • Avoiding certain rooms

  • Feeling low-level stress in your own space

  • Holding onto things out of guilt, not joy

  • Struggling to make decisions because everything feels tangled up in memories

You’re not imagining it.

And you’re not being shallow or dramatic.

Our homes are extensions of our identity — and when they no longer reflect who we are, it affects how we feel, function, and even how we show up in the world.

Why Updating Your Home Doesn’t Mean Starting Over

This is where many women get stuck.

They assume that making a change means:

  • Tossing out meaningful furniture

  • Spending thousands on all new things

  • Rebuilding from scratch

But that’s not only unnecessary — it’s usually the wrong approach.

The goal isn’t to erase the past.

It’s to curate what still fits, lovingly release what doesn’t, and refresh the rest so it supports this new chapter of your life.

Think:

  • A beautiful heirloom chair reupholstered in a fabric you love

  • A too-large dining set replaced with a cozier round table for two

  • A space reimagined with better flow, pairings, and just a few strategic updates

Most of the time, you already have the makings of a warm, meaningful, updated home.

You just need to see them differently — and arrange them with purpose.

Start With These Three Questions

To get clarity on where to begin, ask yourself:

1. What still feels like me?

These are the pieces you love no matter where you live or what stage you’re in. They’re comforting, stylish, or just fit your values. They stay.

2. What am I keeping out of guilt or obligation?

These are the pieces that belonged to someone else. Or you spent a lot of money on them. Or you “should” love them, but don’t. These deserve a second look — and sometimes, a graceful exit.

3. What could shine again with a little love?

Often, a change in placement, pairing, paint color, or fabric is all it takes to breathe life into something old. These are the best candidates for your “refresh” list.

The Home Makeover Approach

My work is all about making the most of what you already own — and helping you create a home that feels like you, today.

The truth is, most women in this season of life don’t want (or need) to gut their homes. They want:

  • Clarity on what to keep and what to let go of

  • Confidence that their rooms flow and function beautifully

  • A space that reflects their growth, not their past

Inside my home makeover downloads, I walk you through this entire process step-by-step — from creating a realistic budget, to rethinking your space layout, to pairing pieces in ways that finally feel finished.

 

Decorating with Heirlooms, Antiques and Vintage download

 

Ready to Begin?

If your home no longer reflects who you are, the first step is simple.

Download my free Decorating with Heirlooms, Antiques and Vintage— a fresh take on working heirlooms, vintage and inherited pieces into your homes existing decor. It will help you make confident decisions around blending styles and eras in your home.

Because the woman you are today deserves a home that supports your lifestyle and inspires you every day.

And for more design goodness, check out my article “How to Fight New Home Fatigue…and personalize your home’s appearance in five steps”! I think you will love it.

July 9, 2025

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What to Do When Your Home Doesn’t Match the Life You’re Living Now

Built in bookcases are an excellent home project or improvement. Design by Markham Roberts

What to Do When Your Home Doesn’t Match the Life You’re Living Now

Built in bookcases are an excellent home project or improvement. Design by Markham Roberts

What to Do When Your Home Doesn’t Match the Life You’re Living Now

Built in bookcases are an excellent home project or improvement. Design by Markham Roberts

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