Redecorating After Divorce: 7 Ways To Remake Your Home in Your Own Image
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Was COVID-19 the last straw? Or had the issues been quietly simmering for a while?
Whatever the reason, a subset of homeowners called it quits during and right after the pandemic—and now they’re facing a challenge: carving out a postdivorce space at home.
“While I don’t like to concentrate on the negative reasons why some people need to redecorate, a change in partnership creates new needs and allows you to update your style and decor,” says Pamela O’Brien of Pamela Hope Designs.
Both spouses can take advantage of this fresh start, first by stepping back to reevaluate the current look. Next, dive into a few spots and remake them in a way that suits a new life. But most importantly, take your time.
“You may not know what style speaks to you yet, and there’s no rule that says you have to redo everything at one time. So go room by room,” suggests Lisa Davis, a shopping expert at RetailMeNot.
To help, here are seven ways to refeather your nest after one bird has flown the coop.
1. Tackle the bedroom
Photo by Leslie Cotter Interiors
The primary bedroom is the first obvious space to redecorate after a breakup. For some, this means a brand-new bed, while others will change up just the linens and maybe paint the walls.
“Ask yourself what colors, textures, and lighting make you feel the most yourself, and know that the changes don’t have to be radical nor super expensive,” says Lindsay Roselle, a podcaster and design coach.
A faux fur throw and simple graphic prints to replace the darker bedding you had might be all it takes.
O’Brien reports that some of her divorcing clients embraced a more feminine design aesthetic, concentrating on white, pastels, and soft fabrics.
“If finances allow it, think about downsizing from a king to a queen bed for more bedroom space and then getting the bedding you love in your style,” Davis says.
For her divorce, Davis made a change in the bedroom by painting the old furniture she had and adding a floor mirror.
“It became a pretty focal point in the space, and it makes me smile every time I walk past it,” she says.
2. Purge the clutter
Decluttering a former spouse’s stuff can clear the mind as well as your shelves. And if you’re changing homes, “there’s no need to pay people to move things you ultimately don’t want or need,” adds O’Brien. In short, let it go!
Not only are you gaining more openness, but you’re also ridding your home of shared possessions that don’t support your healing, notes Roselle.
To do it, grab a friend to help you load up old albums, books, papers, and other detritus so you can make a clean start.
3. Add some kid vibes
Photo by Cody Craig Custom Homes
O’Brien notes some male clients of hers lean on the new decor so they can create “a warm and welcoming home for their children to visit.”
Family-friendly rooms, like the entryway and a cozy den to hang out in, is key here.
“Let the kids be involved in the creation of their new rooms, too,” she adds.
“A fresh theme for your kids’ rooms or an update to match their current age brings in energy as they navigate changes in the home—and you’ll smile when you spy their faces lighting up upon seeing it,” offers Roselle.
4. Carve out a personal nook
Photo by Michael Rex Architects
Whether it’s a book nook for quiet reading or a window seat for meditation, making a spot just for you signals a new beginning.
“Even something as simple as a comfortable chair in the corner of a room with a warm blanket you can cover up with can do wonders to ground you and offer a calm mindset,” says Roselle.
5. Say ‘yes’ to color
Photo by Tom Stringer Design Partners
There’s nothing wrong with muted colors or dark shades, but skewing a bit sunnier is a savvy move when you’re dealing with decor after a divorce.
“Brightness is great medicine for healing a heart after a relationship ends,” says Roselle.
This could mean yellow in the dining room, pink in a half-bath, or bright blue in the laundry area. Or go beyond paint, she adds, by choosing a new lamp “or even different window coverings or shades that filter the sunlight differently.”
6. Bring nature in
Photo by Houzz
Last year’s Norwegian decor trend of bringing nature inside, known as friluftsliv, is the perfect antidote to a bruised heart. And while you don’t want to veer into crazy plant person territory, adding some greenery offers vitality and happiness in the home, says Roselle.
“They also remind me of spring and summer, which is a welcome boost during the colder time of year or phases of life,” she adds.
Got a black thumb? Air plants and succulents are practically hands-off, and there are a variety of fake plants that look so real, your friends will reach out to touch them.
7. Add scent to your rooms
Reinventing yourself decorwise can mean a special fragrance that you enjoy when you enter a new space. Candles, incense, or essential oils in a diffuser are easy ways to infuse your rooms with a signature scent that brightens your mood and makes everything smell delicious. Ones we love include lemon, vanilla, cinnamon, lavender, and eucalyptus.
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