What Is The Revenue Of Home Décor Stores?

The home decor industry in the United States is worth over $135 billion, with an average income of $50,000 to $150,000 depending on factors such as location, store size, and whether sales are made online or in-store. The industry is outpacing its regional counterparts due to evolving lifestyles and a surge in demand for decorative objects, vases, and sculptures.

The home decor market worldwide is set to grow, with the industry expected to bring in $62.1 billion in 2023. The average monthly revenue for a home decor shop can range from $5,000 to $50,000, but this can greatly vary depending on factors such as quality, brand, and market trends.

Well-established home decor stores, particularly those emphasizing online sales, have an average annual revenue of $200,000 to $500,000. Profit margins for home decor shops range from 20 to 45, depending on the price of the product. To get quickly popular, it is recommended to start with a business plan that includes planning, hiring, business plan, financial plan, and marketing strategy.

In 2024, the Home Décor market Segment worldwide had an impressive revenue of US$133.60bn, with an average annual income of about $20,000 for every 1,000 feet of showroom space used for display purposes. Understanding the revenue streams, factors affecting profit, key players in the industry, challenges and opportunities, financial performance, and future outlook for home decor stores is crucial for assessing their overall success.


📹 NEW HOMEGOODS SHOP WITH ME 2024 | HOME DECORATING IDEAS

NEW HOMEGOODS SHOP WITH ME 2024 | HOME DECORATING IDEAS Interior Designer: Kristen McGowan Come shop with …


Is interior decoration business profitable?

Interior design can be profitable, but it requires significant effort and dedication. The average salary for an interior designer in the US is between $32, 000-50, 000 a year. To start a successful interior design business, one needs to organize and have the right skills. However, the process doesn’t have to be complicated, and following the right steps can help get started quickly and legally. The 9 main steps to follow are:

  1. Develop a strong brand identity and brand identity.
  2. Develop a strong brand identity and logo.
  3. Develop a strong online presence and online presence.

How much is home decor worth?

The global home decor market, valued at USD 697. 91 billion in 2023, is expected to grow from USD 747. 75 billion in 2024 to USD 1, 097. 51 billion by 2032, with a CAGR of 4. 91. Asia Pacific dominates the market with a market share of 45. 45 in 2023. Decorative accents, such as artworks, scented candles, and throw pillows, enhance living spaces’ aesthetics. Luxury décor products are used to enhance living room design styles. The demand for home decor products is driven by evolving household needs for interior decoration and renovation.

The growing trend of home gardening and decorating outdoor living spaces is also expected to drive market growth. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Home Design Trend Survey shows that around 65 percent of Americans prefer covering their outdoor spaces with decorative decks and patios.

Is home decor good for affiliate marketing?

The home decor market is expected to reach US$664 billion by 2020, with the interior design and home decor niche being worth nearly as much as debt settlement. Affiliate marketing statistics show that the average marketer in the home and garden niche earns more than $5, 000 per month. Home decor affiliate programs include Wayfair, Ted’s Woodworking, Rug Source, Pier 1, One Kings Lane, Keetsa Mattresses, Baloo Blankets, Brentwood Home, AromaTech, and White Terry.

Is a home decor store profitable?

Starting a home decor business offers high profit margins, with a minimum of 20-25%. There are various niches to choose from for online sales. However, challenges include showcasing product quality and details on a virtual platform, which can be challenging compared to brick-and-mortar stores. To overcome these challenges, businesses must educate online shoppers about their products in the best way possible, ensuring they are well-received and profitable.

How much to start a decorating business?

The financial outlay required to establish an interior design business can range from $500 to a significant sum, with the initial expenses often being unaffordable for many prospective entrepreneurs. However, as the business expands, it is imperative to allocate a commensurate level of investment.

How much do home decor bloggers make?

Affiliate marketing statistics indicate that home decor blogs have the potential to generate significant income, with an average monthly income exceeding $5, 000. To transform one’s enthusiasm for home décor into a lucrative blog enterprise, it is advisable to employ affiliate marketing, display advertisements, and offer distinctive merchandise.

How big is the market for home decor?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

How big is the market for home decor?

The global home decor market, valued at USD 856. 26 billion in 2022, is expected to grow from USD 912. 77 billion in 2023 to USD 1522. 02 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 6. 60. The market is driven by consumer preferences for ostentatious home décor products, particularly timber flooring and furniture. The trend towards environmentally friendly items is also driving demand for innovative home décor products using various raw materials. The market is also driven by consumer shifting preferences towards urban lifestyles, which necessitate the placement of high-quality premium furniture.

With 55. 0 percent of the world’s population living in urban areas, the demand for home décor goods is expected to increase. The growth of the home decor market is expected to be complemented by the growth in the real estate industry. The market is expected to continue expanding due to the increasing demand for high-quality, eco-friendly products.

How much money per 1000 views on a blog?

Blogs can generate a wide range of income, depending on factors like traffic, audience, and monetization strategy. Most blogs earn $3 to $25 per 1, 000 views, but with the right balance of traffic and monetization methods, you can earn much more. Advertising is a common method, but there are other ways to generate higher revenue, such as charging brands for sponsored posts, getting paid for product reviews, writing an e-book, or creating a paid membership. By balancing these methods, you can increase your blog’s potential earnings and reach a wider audience.

Is home decor a niche?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Is home decor a niche?

This article provides a guide on identifying profitable online retail niches for home decor and furniture. It emphasizes the importance of a broad and popular category, with numerous sub-niches to explore. To brainstorm these niches, one should gather inspiration from various sources, such as personal interests, social media trends, customer feedback, online marketplaces, keyword research tools, niche magazines, blogs, podcasts, and influencers.

The key is to generate a comprehensive list of ideas without filtering, allowing for a thorough exploration and eventual narrowing down of options. By following these steps, one can effectively start or grow their online retail business.

How to make money selling home decor?

Ecwid is an excellent ecommerce solution for selling home decor online. It offers a user-friendly platform that allows you to set up your own website, sell it on social media, or use marketplaces like Amazon or eBay. Ecwid provides automation and an easy-to-navigate solution for selling home decor online, eliminating the need for coding skills. The platform also offers secure payments, ensuring transactions are secure and reaching a large customer base. With no coding knowledge required, Ecwid simplifies the process of selling home decor online. Its reputation for security ensures a secure payment system for business transactions.

What is the profit margin on home decor business?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

What is the profit margin on home decor business?

Profit margins in the home decor sector indicate financial health, with an average of 25 to 45 per cent. Stores with higher-end, unique products typically have higher margins due to their pricing strategies and customer demographics. To increase store income, businesses can enhance online visibility through targeted SEO and social media campaigns, develop exclusive supplier partnerships, and analyze customer demographics to tailor marketing and product selections.

Seasonality also plays a significant role in earnings, with peaks typically observed during holiday seasons and early summer, allowing for effective promotional activities to significantly impact annual revenue figures.


📹 Unnecessary Furniture and Home Decor You Think You Need To Buy

In this video, I go over some unnecessary furniture that you might think you need, that you actually don’t! If you love these pieces …


What Is The Revenue Of Home DéCor Stores?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Rafaela Priori Gutler

Hi, I’m Rafaela Priori Gutler, a passionate interior designer and DIY enthusiast. I love transforming spaces into beautiful, functional havens through creative decor and practical advice. Whether it’s a small DIY project or a full home makeover, I’m here to share my tips, tricks, and inspiration to help you design the space of your dreams. Let’s make your home as unique as you are!

Email: [email protected], [email protected]

About me

85 comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • When my kids were little I went all out for almost every holiday. A few years ago I just got tired and decided to pull way way back. My son (now 14) said a few days ago “mom, you don’t do as much for holidays anymore “. My heart kind of sunk and I asked him if it bothered him. He said “oh no way, we still have tons of fun!” Sometimes we are needlessly guilted into overconsumerism.

  • As someone who hates visual clutter, all of these open storage pieces are an easy “no” for me. They can look pretty in photos where everything is impeccably styled, but no one lives in a perfectly curated, styled environment. Thank you for always making the distinction between the fantasy we see in photos and what’s functional in the real world.

  • Dear Nick: Just to let you know that while I don’t really need decor/decorating advice being very happy with what I have, I love to watch your articles. You are funny as hell and I get a big kick out of you. Hope you have great success in all your endeavors. Signed, a Jewish grandmother from California.

  • I cannot express this strongly enough: you and I have vastly different tastes and I tend toward the traditional, the used, the scruffy, the antique, BUT: honestly I subscribed to this website, and I stay subscribed, because you are one of the most charming and articulate (and practical) communicators of taste I have even seen. I agree with most of your choices (as a spectator; remember I don’t have many of the products you talk about) but the thing that keeps me coming back is you yourself. Never change!

  • Seasonal Decor! My husband and I use to re-decorate for every season and every major holiday. It took 2 days to get the stuff down, cleaned and put away and another 2 days to get the “new” stuff out and displayed. After he died I decided to PURGE all that stuff. It’s still an ongoing process after 2 years. You just gave me the courage (and permission) to get rid of most of what’s left and just decorate for Christmas and to keep that simple. For our 21 years together I loved that man but HATED it when it came time to do the seasonal, holiday change over which was his thing, not mine. No more buying things just because it’s the right size, shape or color. Only things I truly love will come into my home and be displayed.

  • I really enjoyed your comments about the 32 people coming to visit (or not). Here in England we don’t have much of a summer usually so the ‘garden’ chairs are primarily for extra visitors at Christmas. English comedian Peter Kay does a totally true to life story about seeing families walking the streets on Christmas Day carrying their ‘emergency chairs’ with them on their way round to family for dinner.

  • I’m actually on the hunt for a vintage brass & glass bar cart at the moment – but for my plants! 😂 I think it’s a gorgeous way of displaying them and also super easy to move when I am cleaning. As someone who’s always propagating like… 5000 different things… I think I fall under the category of “a bar cart makes sense” 😂

  • As a parent I get so much “mom guilt” for not having the mental headspace to decorate my entire house for every season like I see people do on social media. For ages I’ve been assuming it’s a failing on my part and trying to organize better so I can keep up with the seasons. But this article made me thin for just that extra second on WHY I want to do that – it turns out I really don’t, nor do I need to – THANK YOU!!!! xx

  • Always love your articles but this is one of my favorites so far. Really appreciate you raising the point about over consumption – it’s wasteful, polluting, expensive, and you’re exactly right: we just don’t need this stuff! I’m sure there are whole academic papers on the sociology around why we have leaned so far into trying to be perfect hosts with perfect homes, but it actually helps to have a designer assure you it isn’t needed aesthetically or otherwise. 10/10 Thank you! ❤

  • I think my mom has mastered the “seasonal decor” changing – she swaps out a front door wreath to match the season, and has a little bowl on the mantle that she will put different things in for the seasons: eggs, pumpkins, pinecones, etc. She recently got some little mini trees that she puts on the porch, and decorated those to go with the season as well. And that’s about it! Just enough of a change to be fun, but not redecorating the whole space.

  • I hate clutter and when I see all these beautifully styled open shelving units, bar carts or open shelving in kitchens I think to myself, ” someone has to dust all that s$&t!” Not for me! I have also pared down my Xmas decor to something minimal. A small pencil Christmas tree and a wreath. I avoid going into HomeSense for that very reason!

  • I appreciate the distinction between “media decisions that sell products” and “people decisions that serve people” in your articles. I think that is one of the reasons why I (personally) dislike minimalism and simplistic designs in real homes… it feels like product placement rather than something that brings a person home imo. A lot of people, when getting a new home or renovating their space, try so hard to get the photogenic look without thinking about what they’re using, at least from my perspective.

  • “Seasonal Industrial Complex” “If you want to display your alcoholism….” Nick, you are a stitch. Every one of these talking points was spot on. Here’s my personal “don’t need.” Years ago we renovated the kitchen and when done there was a fairly large space in the center (it’s a big-ish kitchen) so we just got an IKEA stainless steel cart that sits in the center of the room and functions as an island. It is the perfect size for the space. Not too big, not too small. Over the years some people have said “you should build a little island in the center” and my thought is “why the hell should I?” It’s not needed. That cart has always been absolutely perfect in size and function and aesthetics.

  • I think the points about end tables and huge open shelving built-ins contain a piece of really crucial advice: design is about problem solving. Yes, it’s about beauty too, but that’s not the whole thing. If something doesn’t work for your real life, that means it isn’t good design, because it isn’t designed FOR YOU. That’s why I think it’s so beneficial to purchase things for your home slowly so you can actually see where the pain points are. It’s way better to make do with what you have and then see what you’re really missing – maybe you’re always frustrated that you don’t have somewhere convenient for your drink, maybe you are regularly hosting more people than can comfortably fit in your living room and your dining room chairs are just too heavy to be moving around all the time. Then you can solve YOUR specific problems to make your home more functional and enjoyable to spend time in.

  • This was excellent. I agree with you about all the items you mentioned. Especially about side tables, feeling obliged to have seating for when you have 32 people over (which, if it happens at all, is a rare occasion). In 2021, I took a hard look at how we really live and use the space. Four people live here, and I counted 9 desks and about 7 end tables, 3 dining tables, and 8 dresser/bureaus, and multiple storage bins, trunks and cube shelves. Absolutely ridiculous amount of furniture which we had collected over the years (beware estate sales). The house was like a warehouse, and I was struggling to fit all these pieces in the space we have (which is large, but not that large). To vacuum, dust, mop, took forever because I had to move things to reach other things I had to clean. I realized most of these pieces were empty or were just becoming a place to pile things. Not really being used for the purpose for which they were made. I massively purged and it made quite a difference. Lighter, more space, everything in proportion to the room size (and much easier to clean.) Thanks again for your website, which I really enjoy.

  • Nick was in a hilarious mood when he made this 😂 Love you Nick, and thanks as always for the tasteful and experienced advice! “They’re NOT COMING honey!!” “Then you realize that 32 people don’t even like YOU…” “I like to light some of my favorite candles-I’ll link them down below if you’re interested-…”

  • I loved this content. I inherited a 1930’s 2 story home in a flood/hurricane prone area. Four of our 5 kiddos still live with us. I am constantly decluttering. I am all about furniture that is small, compact, multipurpose, sneaky! Need I mention that the house came with only 2 closets? One is a coat closet, and the other in a bedroom. I also inherited some of the furniture, which I have to say was exceptionally constructed and has stood up to at least 4 generations, with a little love. Before thinking of bringing a piece home, I am looking at the materials and construction, dimensions, and functionality. Our coffee table is solid maple, two tiered, round, and petite.

  • Nick, this was the best! Cracking up over the bar carts. Thank you for validating my stance on Holiday decorating. In the past I have actually felt bad about not being an organized holiday decorator. Like my families happiness depends on well labeled totes of gaudy glam, unpacked and packed at just the right seasonal transition. Whew!! Over that! Thank you Nick.

  • “BE MINDFUL OF WHAT SERVES YOU” Best guidance ever! You nailed it in this one. Stores already have fall decor coming in and it’s May. And oh my gosh when the extra company shows up once in five years. I’ll haul in the patio chairs. I’ve donated 10 bins of holiday decor (10 16inch Santa clauses and too many nutcrackers to count) and can’t wait to not spend time decorating for the next season.

  • This is my favorite article you have uploaded to date! For some reason, in this article you seemed very compassionate and empathetic toward the viewers. I love that you kept emphasizing that there was no need to worry about decorating homes to look like magazine pages! Best advice ever! Be yourself and be mindful!!

  • This is so eerie! I’m currently in a gut/ reno project for my living room. My husband and I debated on having a customised media console built (like as you described) and I had this gnawing feeling in the back of my mind saying “but what are you going to put on the shelves? The sea shell you collected from the Caribbean? Random objects?” And I quickly realised that it was going to be unnecessary (for our lifestyle) and create a distraction whilst perusal movies. So we’ve gone for a mild japandi feel instead. Everything is neatly stored behind a minimalist scandi tv bench. The main focus on the room is the sofa & lighting. So far it’s looking very polished but yet still inviting. Love your content as always! Love from Norway 🇳🇴

  • OMG… thank you thank you THANK YOU for this article! I’m styling my house now, moving in next month and I’m just fretting over, oh I need this, oh I need that. Like those oversized bookshelves in the living room. They ARE gorgeous, but you’re so right, I probably wouldn’t keep it looking good beyond a month.

  • I very much enjoyed how particularly dark & salty some of these observations are! Every once in a while, it’s so healthy and refreshing to add a slightly acidic dose of good taste to the sugary decor extras we are all told we desperately need to add for over-consumption. (I enjoy all your articles, btw; but especially love it when you allow your sharper tongue to survive the edit ; )

  • This is a fantastic article! Good decor and furnishings are a joy but unnecessary consumerism is bad for your wallet and the environment, plus it doesn’t add any extra happiness to an already nice home. ALSO, I laughed out loud when you joked about folks displaying their alcoholism. That was my dad all over! SO proud of his home bar! Well, I was telling my playmates on the playground at recess that my parents would divorce before they knew it themselves. Moral… we make ourselves far more transparent to others than we realize.

  • You absolutely described me under the Seasonal Decor section. I have a coastal style that I completely swap out during the holiday season. But I do love it! 😄 But as for thow pillows, the easiest way to swap them out is to buy pillowcases which come in such an amazing variety, are way less pricey than buying the whole pillow, and much easier to store. Ta da! ✨

  • I love how you give everyone permission to do what works for them / makes them happy, regardless of your personal opinions. Up until 5 years ago I did zero seasonal decorating. Not even Christmas. Then I moved from Seattle to Connecticut and after that first Thanksgiving I decided to brighten up the space for winter with some deep red accents. I had SO. MUCH. FUN. putting it all together and loved being in my new home even more. It stayed up for 3 months, and then I decided to replace it with spring colors. Brought me so much joy – the process, the mood, the change, the creativity. So 3 months later I went to summer, and then in late September did Fall. I do not do any holidays, but do change to the seasons accent colors every 3 months. Throws, pillows, florals, etc. I feel like I get a new house every 3 months, it feels fresh and exciting, it doesn’t take much work now I have everything, and it means everything gets cleaned on the regular. I have the space to store it all and buy decent stuff that will last for years, so it’s not spending more and more money every year. Here and there I’ll buy a new piece and take an old piece to a consignment store so someone else can enjoy it. I host a Girls Day for my friends every month and they all love to see the seasons decor change. It’s not practical for many people for many reasons, but it makes me so happy I’m not about to stop.

  • I’m pretty minimalist however our house flooded and the built-ins were torn out and I really wanted them back. I love having the cabinets on bottom for storage and the shelves to display pictures and travel trinkets. We took out the brick fireplace and added a stucco one with an electric insert, mantle and space for a TV if we ever get one. I think it’s going to look great and fits our mcm house.

  • The bar cart is something I consider seasonal. My bff has a huge house and hosts nearly every 2 weeks andshe uses the bar cart. Outside in the summer to reduce opening/closing the ac. When all our kids were little, the bar cart was in the kids basement area in the winter with snacks and waters while the adults were upstairs. But she’s the only person I’ve known who justified a bar cart in my world. 😂 I love your attack on them 😂😂

  • An older family member (retired contractor) expressed concern to me after visiting the umpteenth home with towel / lap robe ladders. He was puzzled as to why everyone seemed to have seriously unsafe ladders in their home. Since the ladders were out, he figured they had just changed out a bulb or were fixing to do so as soon as we left, and that could be dangerous.

  • 32 people: They’re not coming. They’re not coming, honey” lololol, so true and so funny! I agree about the catastrophizing problem. I used to keep a set of 30 party plates for decades. I used them about 3 times total. Hope whoever got them at the thrift store is using them and enjoying. If I ever have that many people over again, I will purchase nice paper plates.

  • Your website and you as a person is such a breath of fresh air. I’m so glad you aren’t afraid to actually be completely honest and critical when talking about trends/fads and aren’t constantly promoting the idea that we all need to constantly buy to stay current with trends. You actually are some of the few designers I see on YouTube that encourages quality items/furniture and FUNCTIONAL LIVING SPACES. I swear I see so many people decorate for “aesthetics” nowadays and turn their spaces into what looks like a camera backdrop. It looks beautiful but it’s not functional!

  • The thing I’ve always wondered about this North American thing of changing the decor 4 (or more!) times a year is just how much storage space do these homes have? I love to go for it at Christmas, but it’s a challenge to even store all that stuff, let alone 4 times as much. I think, for me, if I was changing my decor that often, it would become a chore rather than the pleasure that Christmas decorating is.

  • Hey Nick. My family’s always been traditional in having a table next to every chair, one on both sides of the sofa, and a coffee table. Of course, looking back, that stems from needing convenient surfaces to put the ash trays on. But for my home, I’ve always found a coffee table is a nuisance. I do like a small table next to the chair, or close enough for both that and a sofa to share. But I opted for a medium sized ottoman in place of the coffee table. Nothing on the ottoman but our feet, bad knees run in the family. So much more practical. Bonus points, the ottoman is one with storage inside.

  • 5:02 We don’t have a built in but we do have a ginormous space saver that was once good enough to house the TV. Then TVs became very wide. We actually delayed tossing our last crt tv because we were left with the question of what to do with this ginormous space saver that wasn’t in fact saving space. Fortunately, we were able to put it at the side of the room where it holds the network printer, some books, photos. The new led TV is wall mounted and has a small space saver about the size of an end table to hold the cable box, a network switch, mini pc, a NAS and the line conditioner. I bought a monitor stand small enough to fit so I could stack cable, switch, mini pc, nas all together on one shelf to maximize space.

  • Re: both nightstands and ottomans: you can’t go wrong with simple stackable stools (like Aalto 60 or E60 if you can afford it, or some durable knockoff). They serve as seating at parties, ad hoc nightstand or side table, kitchen stool to reach the high cabinets, you can put a plant on one, or usually, just stack books on them. And store the extra in a neat stack. Four stools do wonders and don’t look too precious.

  • I do switch out some of my decor by season not holiday. I’m old and I’ve collected lots of stuff from my 5 years of traveling the world as a youth. Mostly art and artifacts of different cultures. I’ve continued to collect art and both my husband and myself are artists so there’s that. If I didn’t rotate my collection every three months we would never see some of our beautiful things. I learned this seasonal rotation practice from the Japanese. I totally agree with all you pointed out including changing your entire decor for every holiday. I have to laugh at myself because I was thinking of getting a bar cart. Thankfully you have convinced me that I don’t need it. 😁❤

  • Funny and helpful – thanks Nick! I have a couple to add: – wine fridge (unless drinking a lot of wine all the time) – guest bedrooms (how often are guests overnight? just add a sleeper sofa and use that room for something you’ll do often) – huge coffee tables, especially with sharp corners (why? just why?) – buffet tables or giant cupboards in dining room (prob don’t remember what is even in there or use it)

  • Your mental gymnastics around hosting a sudden 32 people was totally me…I have never hosted more than 4 additional couples, plus kids. I always splurge on a babysitter for the little kids, set-up a chill space for the older kids, and that’s it. If I need to host a larger group, I’m going to a venue. So true, you don’t need a cache of folding chairs!

  • I have to have a side table because I always have my feet on the ottoman. No coffee table, just a storage ottoman with lots of blankets. I love the way you talk about these things based on how we live. We all have our own quirks. I have been taken in recently by the seasonal industrial complex and I Definitely feel like I need to reign it in. Needed your tough love today on that!

  • I watched just to hear about the bar cart that my friend absolutely had to get when changing apartments and upgrading furniture. She doesn’t entertain all that much or drink much herself and had to go high end as she does have impeccable taste. Thanks for pointing out unnecessary clutter for most of us.

  • As an empty-nester, I went from a huge house to a small townhome and while I occasionally miss my blue damask side chairs and the 1930s Chippendale Highboy, I find I have much more time for not-housekeeping. I would describe my current décor as spartan. It’s simple, functional and easy to keep clean. And I find a lot of peace in that. I wish I had discovered earlier that things own you, you don’t own them.

  • Nick, your no nonsense style ideas are great. Your humor keeps me perusal for next article. Recently down sized to a studio. Packed my favorite things first, threw in necessities & looked at what was left. Whew… I was amazed. Boxed most up for charity shops, gave some to friends/family. Month in & happily living in my tiny space. Each of our studios looks different, because we have what we NEED.

  • I love how you get us thinking about things we live with simply because we always have. I live in a small house and ironically things that aren’t necessary for others keep me going while must haves for them are a definite no. For example having end tables as opposed to a coffee table. A coffee table is the perfect height for our dog to knock everything off with her tail, it’s big enough for my husband to drop things on ‘for now’ and it’s in the middle of the walking space. The end tables are off to the side and more individual so they can be tidied faster, the dog doesn’t access them as easily and best of all if my husband wants to put his pants there ‘for now’ he’ll be stuck holding his drink in his lap. And the one end table is actually an old ottoman we were going to toss. What can I say, I’m a rebel. LOL.

  • I love what you said about the ottomans and foot stools. I feel the same way. I really hate that people think they need a couch, loveseat and two chairs minimum because they are sold in stores as a set, (with at least 3 tables, too). The older I get the more I think my home needs to only reflect the way we live, not how other people think we should live.

  • We had a flood in the basement and lost quite a bit of stuff. In the end, it was a blessing in disguise because it made us really look at the things we lost and ask “Do we really need to replace it?” In the end we have learned to live with less. Especially now that retirement is a few years away, we are more mindful of not wanting to accumulate “stuff” – only to need to downsize again.

  • I worked on a container ship spill where there was a ship full of seasonal decor coming from Asia to North America. Pristine beaches were covered with inflatable lawn santas and seasonal tchotchkes. 😢 i have never looked at disposable seasonal goods the same way since. I usually cut some evergreen branches from the street to lay on a table, get some pine cones, get some stuff from the thrift store or other free and recycled options.

  • Well I have a few of these – nightstands because my bedroom is huge and we don’t have a dresser, an ottoman because I love to put my feet up, end tables because we don’t have a coffee table, and the one every designer hates – a metal towel ladder in the bathroom because we have tile on the only wall big enough for a towel bar, and I don’t want to drill holes in the tile. We need somewhere to hang towels to dry. Lol. I pretty much always agree with your advice, including to do what works for you.

  • Your articles have been hitting home for me lately more than normal. I’m in the process of furnishing my home from almost scratch. End tables, coffee tables, and ottomans are ones that I have chosen not to do in a “traditional” sense. I only have two small end tables where I feel they are most needed, no coffee tables, and no ottomans. I have a lot of space in my living room that I don’t want to fill. I like the space more. Also, towel/blanket ladders make no sense to me. They are definitely more decor versus necessity (at least in my opinion).

  • I totally agree that you need to actually sit in your space and decorate in a way that is realistic for YOUR life! I used to be convinced I needed a coffee table AND an ottoman in the living room, but our space is so small it felt so suffocating. So we had to be realistic choose one piece based on the function that was most important to us.

  • My solution to the “seasonal decor” turnover is to decorate like it’s halloween all year 🕸️🧐 Therefore I only buy home decor when the halloween stuff hits homesense and michael’s. I have spent years collecting anything that runs more “elegant” and less garish kitsch so my home looks like an elf witch’s antique library.

  • Totally agree with you on all of this! A lot of these seem like symptoms of aspirational living. Built-ins are definitely something I waffled about for years before finally deciding they were too much trouble. They take up wall space you could use for art, reduce the square footage of the room, and add unnecessary restrictions on where you can put your furniture. Another one that can be unnecessary is a separate dining table and breakfast table. It often makes more sense to have one table that can do both jobs or is convertible. I would also put a lot of different patio furniture pieces into this category; side tables, side chairs, plant stands, privacy screens, specialized pots, and etc can all be too much and unnecessary. Putting a bunch of stuff on the patio usually ends up looking more like clutter and less like a garden space. Going with bigger planters and putting more plants in each one gives a better illusion of a green garden than scattering small pots around the patio. It’s also less work than watering individual pots. Using fewer, larger pieces of furniture on a patio generally feels like a cleaner space in the end too.

  • We had the opposite problem with seating people. Moved into a small house in a new city that was perfectly sized for the two of us and our dog. Had a two seater and an armchair and that was all the space. We are now almost always the hosts for gatherings of our new friend group and when we moved again we had to make sure we could regularly seat 8 people 😂 Edit: Also I put my feet up almost constantly but I’m just gross and put my feet on the coffee table when we don’t have guests over lol

  • I bought a house with built in shelving/media station. But they also turned one half of it into a closed cabinet. Now the closed cabinet is where I keep all my neccesary clutter and the open shelving is where I keep things I like to look at like pictures and a old art book passed down from my grandfather. It is really the best of both worlds. That cabinet is probably my most used space outside of my kitchen, but my house stays looking pretty uncluttered.

  • I loved your imitation of a bar cart. So funny, Nick. Love your ideas, too. I’m trying to downsize and get rid of UDJ (useless decorative junk), so had to severely curtail the seasonal decorations. I buy a nice aromatic wreath each Christmas from my friend’s child’s school fundraiser, and that’s about it.

  • My bathroom towel🪜 is not for “displaying towels”. I use it as a towel bar/rack for the towels I use everyday . There are enough rungs to hang and dry my bath, hand towels and bath mat. I find it a very appropriate and functional piece in my bathroom with more space than the towel bar, where basically you only have room to hang one towel.

  • I think what’s important to remember about towel ladders is that they probably aren’t meant to store the towels but to hang them while damp after use. I don’t know if this is a German thing, but some people definitely have radiators in the shape of ladders, where they hang their towels to dry before the next use. The clean and dry towels will still go in the cupboard. I still agree with you though, that that’s not the most efficient use of bathroom space

  • Seasonal Industrial Complex! So true! The only “seasonal” stuff I put out besides some limited Christmas decor, are things that can be returned to nature. Indian corn and pumpkins in the fall get set out for the critters, seasonal flowers go into the compost bin once they wilt. The plastic and other kitsch can stay in the stores.

  • I love our two night tables, they’re art deco (small) heirlooms. You would want them too, lol ! 😂 I don’t like massive built ins too. They’re boring. We have it on our bedroom and they’re not-open shelves, just for the tv, so I keep it for storage of linen and towels. Hate the ladder too in bathrooms. Great advice Nick. Thanks !! 😊

  • I hate towel ladders or blanket ladders. I dont know why I find them so ugh. With seasonal, i have gone down the rabbit hole of seasonal decor. It got A LOT to store and swap out. So now ive got a few chosen pieces for specific areas and just do a fun decor for xmas (hubs fav holiday) and halloween (my fav holiday).

  • Our 1921 home came with a really nice built-in which is in a sort of solarium and looks gorgeous with lots of cabinets to hide the DVDs, CDs and other stuff but to be honest, the most angst was around what to display in the large number of shelves. We’ve been in the house since May 2020 and to this day I still look at it and think “ok, MAYBE I should swap out that with something else?” and then fret about it for a few days before deciding “ah, who cares…”

  • my Arts and Crafts Bungalow has the beautiful oak built ins and I’m glad to have them, but I use each one logically (and yes, one replaces a bar cart LOL). As someone who has a lot of books, it hurts my heart to see all those wonderfully potential libraries with a half dozen ‘on trend’ knick knacks and maybe three or four books laid flat with something ‘styled’ on top.

  • Ive never had a towel ladder but i think they are used to hang drying towels. Like if you dont have a hook on the back of a door or if you like the look of the ladder more than a hook. Or for someone who is minimalistic and doesnt have enough towels and wash rags to justify dedicating a drawer or cabinet

  • I put a towel ladder in my guest bathroom only because there was a massive hole that I just couldn’t fix in a smooth way and the ladder hides it 😆 The cheap one from IKEA works perfectly. However, I wouldn’t put it in my main bathroom because more than one bath towel means that they’re overlapping and then not drying

  • Agreed about the seasonal decor. I never had stuff for anything but Christmas. I know people are going to come for me here but in 2021 I got rid of all of my Christmas decor. I don’t even own a tree anymore. Now I have less to store and don’t have to unpack and pack the stuff back up. I am single and don’t have kids so holidays are never hosted at my house. So I figured I didn’t need the stuff.

  • This year I decided not to do the whole-house seasonal change-overs. I am simplifying everything in my life that is under my control. I have always been a “sweat the small stuff” type of person and this change has been so freeing. I am pretty sure no one in my family has missed the decor changes or has even noticed.

  • This was great! Totally agree with the bar cart and towel ladder, especially. I confess to having an ottoman in my living room and loving it, but my open concept living area is really challenging as the whole townhome is only 830sqft, and the 10’x32′ public area had to house my home office, living room, and dining room. The ottoman serves as a coffee table/footrest/emergency seating. If you invest in a good quality one, they look great and are very versatile in a small space.

  • I loathe built ins. Even when they look good—and they usually don’t—that’s a space you will never be able to rearrange or utilize for anything else… or at least not without major costs. Was looking at a listing for a gorgeous house yesterday, and they had some rather nice built in shelves in the living room, BUT it took up the only wall in the living room where you could rationally put a TV. And it wasn’t designed to hold a TV itself. So they’d mounted a TV over their beautiful fireplace (don’t even get me started on my hatred of mounted TVs or TVs over fireplaces).

  • THANK YOU. 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 as a 40-something woman in rural Ohio, US, I am surrounded by (poorly done) farm house decor and the thought that we need to accessorize for seasons/holidays. Ugh. I realize it’s some people’s design style, but in most cases people have no clue and just follow the masses (insert Home Goods). Listen I don’t really have much of a clue either but I do know what I DON’T want… flowers, recliners, open shelves/built-Ins — no thank you! I am happy with my minimal, functional decor that focuses on the few items that are important to me, like my own artwork. Love you!

  • Recent subscriber here. I love your practical approach to decorating. Also love that you always throw in the caveat of if you love it, keep it, and don’t take this too seriously because we’re here to have fun. I agree with you on some points, but some I don’t. You would think my house is one big nightmare, but it works for us. I’m posting this from my reclining sofa. But my husband and I are older and have health issues, so we love it. I also have an electric fireplace and some animal print in my living area. Our home is comfy and works for us, so we’re content. If you’re ever over for dinner, please don’t judge us until you’ve left. lol. Thanks so much for your entertaining and informative articles.

  • My unnecessary item is a coffee table. By coffee table, I mean the large, immovable low table you need to sneak around to sit on your couch, or streeeetch to put your coffee mug on. Instead I have two small lightweight tables, the same height as a coffee table. Because they’re light, I can move them out of the way of my exercise mat, scoot them right next to the couch, or tuck them to the sides to work as end tables. I like the look of a large open space in the middle of my living room, too. I don’t have traditional end tables either. Between the couch and a chair I have a rolling metal bin-cart; I use the top bin as a table and keep sewing or knitting projects or reading material below. On the other side, I have the “tech stand” I built — this holds my wifi router, external hard drive, and assorted hubs. There’s enough free space on top to park a mug and a small snack.

  • I agree with every point you made, especially the seasonal decor! I used to buy into that hype when I first moved out but then I realized it wasn’t really my thing, especially when I just don’t have the storage space for all of it! A little something during Christmas (my fave holiday) is enough for me.

  • I have never understood seasonal/holiday decor 😭😭 I don’t like any holiday enough to decorate my house around it, and the seasons are already changing outside, why do they need to change in my home ??? I will say there are some subtle trends I don’t mind like swapping out spring flowers for holly berries, etc but overall it’s a no for me

  • Usually I agree with you on most things, this is my first where I have multiple disagreements I think! I don’t feel like a shelf next to the bed takes up much less space than a small bed side table, and I can’t move them easily. And I can’t buy them second hand. Towel ladders Ive always thought of as a towel rack for multi person households where you can dry multiple damp towels. And it doubles as a drying rack for socks!

  • Great article Nick, I think we really do need to hear that “you don’t have to have such and such if it’s not functional.” It’s very freeing. I had a similar epiphany that was kind of the reverse of your end table idea; I realised I was never actually using the coffee table, it was just a bulky thing taking up space that I would stub my toe on a lot and would collect clutter. No one enjoyed leaning way forward to put their coffee down. So now, I have four round little end tables that get used all the time for just drinks, plus one footstool for my husband who always wants his feet up. (The tables are small & light so can be moved around as needed, almost like a tv tray.) Works great and feels really open without the coffee table.

  • I’m totally with you on the massive built ins (says the woman who had two large book cases in the living room ) and bar carts,unless you live in 1956 and have lots of cocktail parties,but I couldn’t live without my storage ottomans .They get used as foot stools,occasional seating,a place to hide junk, side tables and a reason to not have a coffee table .I agree that having them just for show is a bit silly but they can be incredibly functional when you don’t have a huge room .

  • I reaaaaalllly don’t get the big bowls or pedestals with the gigantic bead garlands. Those are so strange to me. It’s like an enormous wooden necklace draped over a salad bowl. When it comes to how I style my home, I ask myself 3 questions: Is it precious (i.e., does it have sentimental value)? Is it beautiful (i.e., do I love to look at it)? Is it useful (i.e., has it served a meaningful purpose within the last 6 months)? If I can’t answer “yes” to any one of these questions, it doesn’t belong in my home.

  • 😁 oh how I love you!!!!! YES to all of this! I especially loved your thoughts on seasonal decor. Everybody needs to settle down with the onslaught of trendy seasonal trash from Hobby Lobby!!! 😂 Because I grew up with a fun mom who decorated for all of the seasons, I thought I was supposed to do that, as well. It has taken me years to simplify and realize that simple, elegant seasonal changes suit me better ❤️

  • You nailed it on so many things I have come to some same conclusions about. I finally realized things like that starting with my wardrobe. I always had this thing that there were certain wardrobe pieces I had to have “in case I went…” one day, I started laughing to myself out loud and thought, you’re never going …, so stop pretending! IF such a time or occasion arises, go get that outfit. But, the just in case point, was pointless! 😂😂

  • I so agree with the seasonal. As someone who comes from a family that celebrates Christmas i don’t even bother with a tree. The odd holiday scent or present stack, I love lights outside. I see people hauling out real trees out of our condo building leaving prickly pine needles behind them i am like ‘ why do you bother?’ I guess I am just so over Christmas decor

  • Great article on an important but rarely mentioned topic, necessity vs convention, aka “Does your dining room actually need a dining table?” I think its important to consider how many people live in the home and how many guests might be expected. I live alone on fixed income so I cannot afford to entertain with any grandeur. Goodbye dining table. Goodbye king size bed. I don’t need more than one very comfortable seat for relaxing. I like home improvement DIY so mainly I need work tables, work chairs, task lighting and closed storage for tools and materials. You mention open storage and that is a pet peeve of mine, open shelving units that eat up more space than they provide. I would like to add it can be best to obtain duplicates of a necessity. Prime example, the vacuum cleaner, get one for each floor in the home so you aren’t lugging the one monster up and down the stairs. Another peeve is guest towels and guest soap. Friends of the family never want to use those out of consideration of their host. And who invites a guest who is not a friend?

  • I always felt pressured to decorate my apartment according to a holiday, and I felt bad because I couldn’t, I just don’t have money for that. I love decorating though, it’s my passion, but well life is life. After this article I feel better, because I use to think that everyone decorating their houses like crazy and that this is a sign of wealthiness (idk how to spell this word sorry).

  • 🎉I love this! Down with pretentiousness and massive retail greed. Be real and honest about what is practical and truly serves your lifestyle. This is my first time perusal one of your articles. Your humor and candor are gold! I really enjoyed this content, especially as I’ve recently moved into a much smaller place with almost no storage.

  • Thank you for saying it’s not necessary to decorate for every single holiday! I like my style and colors and I don’t want to put everything away and drag out a bunch of other stuff. Usually a small table scape or a little holiday accent in a room is plenty in acknowledgement. Especially since my children are all grown up now.

  • For me, bookshelves are for books with a few decorations added in. Not the other way around as is common nowadays. And the books have been read by me or my husband. We have an actual library of books, no matter how many times I have weeded out ones I no longer want. And we have bookshelves in every room. Our biggest problem with our home is that it is small. I have one ottoman, because I have diabetes and need to keep my feet up. We definitely don’t need a bar cart. We do live in NM, so I see the ladders, but they are usually for outside decoration or use, not inside. Thanks for sharing your opinions!!

  • Wonderful article Nick. I love Halloween, and have so much fun decorating our home and yard with “Happy” Halloween decor. Lots of tasteful lit decorations and those that use Nature; like a lit Jacko lantern that uses branches to form the Jacko lantern. But then for other holidays each year, I only decorate if I feel I have the time, and in recent years, don’t even bother, and that actually makes me very happy to just chill with the holiday decor. Added note about the bar carts; they can be real dust collectors, and I am a big fan of removing dust collectors from my home decor.

Pin It on Pinterest

We use cookies in order to give you the best possible experience on our website. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our use of cookies.
Accept
Privacy Policy