Permission to Undecorate: Why It’s Okay to Take Your Time (and Leave Your Walls Bare)
If you’ve ever felt pressure to finish decorating your home as quickly as possible, you’re not alone. For years, I felt like something was wrong with me because it took so long to decorate our house. Every time I scrolled through Pinterest or Instagram, I’d see perfectly finished rooms with styled shelves, art on every wall, and layers of décor that made it seem like a home had to be complete right away.
But over time, I realized that rushing to fill every corner didn’t feel right for me. I don’t like decorations that don’t hold any meaning or function. I’d rather leave a wall empty than hang something that doesn’t spark a memory, tell a story, or serve a purpose. And that’s okay.
Decorating Slowly and Meaningfully
It turns out I’m not alone in this feeling. According to House Beautiful’s recent article on the rise of slow decorating, there’s a growing trend of people who are choosing to take their time and decorate intentionally, instead of trying to finish their homes overnight (House Beautiful, 2025). This approach is about creating a space that’s personal and meaningful, not just Pinterest-perfect.
The article quotes interior designer Emily Henderson, who says:
“Your home should evolve with you. It doesn’t have to be done in a week or even a year.”
That idea has been so freeing for me.
Permission to Undecorate
In fact, I’ve come to see undecorating (removing things that don’t feel right or meaningful) as just as important as decorating itself. When we first moved in, I bought things just to “finish” a room, but they never sat well with me. Over time, I started editing instead of adding: clearing surfaces, taking down art that felt generic, and letting our home breathe.
By undecorating, I discovered how much I love the quiet moments of a space. How a bare wall can highlight a beautiful window or let natural light shine without distractions. How empty corners can give you space to think, move, and grow.
It’s Okay to Have Empty Walls
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? It’s okay to have empty walls. A blank space doesn’t mean you’re behind or unfinished — it can be an invitation. An opportunity to wait until you find the right piece, or simply a way to let your home feel calmer and less cluttered.
I’ve found that living with empty walls helps me appreciate what we already have. It creates a sense of possibility instead of pressure. And it reminds me that a home doesn’t need to be filled with stuff to feel complete, it just needs to reflect the people who live there.
Final Thoughts
If you’re in a season of undecorating, or feeling like your home is taking forever to come together, know this: you’re not failing. You’re being thoughtful. You’re making space for what matters. And you have permission to take as long as you need — even if that means leaving your walls empty for a while.