I grew up in the same house my whole life. My parents moved in when I was two years old and still live there to this day. While their address is the same, the house is not. 

Over the past 24 years, I’ve watched them transform it from its original state to a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Almost nothing is the same as it once was, and it’s breathtakingly beautiful. Both my parents, but especially my mom, have incredible vision and design instincts. She can see a space and imagine what it could be. Nothing—not even cabinets, windows, or walls—gets in the way of possibilities and what’s right for that home. She can create cozy, warm, and objectively stunning spaces out of almost nothing.

Over the years, I’ve gleaned from her gift and collected tidbits as I’ve designed my own spaces. They’ve helped as I moved from apartment to apartment and are now especially valuable as Mitch and I have walked through the home-buying process. 

These are the things I’ve been repeating to myself as we’ve toured houses, wondering if the next could be the one. If you’re looking for your first space—whether buying or renting—I hope these tips and tricks encourage you to look past what currently is and dream of what could be. 

001. Any color can change. 

As we’ve toured homes, one of the most interesting variables has been what colors people filled the space with. This has not deterred or discouraged me at any point. Paint is an easy and effective way to transform the look and feel of any room. As you tour spaces, don’t let the color of the walls, doors, trim, ceilings, cabinets, or bricks deter you. It can all be reborn with a fresh coat of paint. It will make an instant difference. While getting professionals to paint cabinets or interior brick is a wise decision, painting walls yourself is a quick way to cut down on costs. 

002. Light fixtures make a space. 

Same thing here as the paint. The super-dated light fixtures you see in the entryway, dining room, or bathroom aren’t a permanent part of the house. You can switch those out at any time for a refreshed style that’s more in line with your vibe. Light fixtures can be pricey of course (can’t everything?!), but there are plenty of affordable options that will dramatically upgrade your home. Keep this in mind as you tour houses—you’re not stuck with any fixture there.

003. Knobs, handles, and hardware are easy swaps. 

Similarly, changing out the hardware on kitchen and bathroom cabinets will; continue to make the space your own. This doesn’t have to be expensive—Amazon has great options. This is yet another way to continue building out the aesthetic you want and trekking toward your overall vision. Pinterest is a great way to see the hardware in context and point you in the right direction for the overall look and feel. 

004. It’s a marathon, not a sprint.

While it’s tempting to want to overhaul the space immediately (preaching to myself here), cultivating a home means playing the long game. Dream homes aren’t built overnight. It takes time. If you’re buying a house, chances are you’ll be living there for a while. There will be time to swap things out as the months and years unfold. You can make it into what you want, bit by bit, day by day. If building out the space we wanted were an immediate, easy fix, would it really be as fun?

005. Don’t rush into any purchases. 

Just because you want to get dining room chairs checked off your list doesn’t mean you have to settle for what you find on your first shopping trip. Curating a space takes time, effort, and patience. Don’t waver from the integrity of your vision or be afraid to say, “Mmm, that’s not quite it.” The right thing will come along, and you’ll be so happy you waited when you found it.

I hope these ideas were inspiring and encouraging. What are your go-to swaps to make your space feel like your own? Let me know below in the comments!

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P.S. Check out 6 Tips for Hosting a Dinner Party and My Kitchen Table + Other Inheritances.

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Michael Todd Beauty Electric Dermaplane Tool // Magic Mind Mental Performance Shots // Gap cheetah pants // Taylor Dukes Wellness Organic Superfood Creamer // Pilot G2 0.38mm pens