GALATEA

Our homes are reflections of our lives, and just like us, they are constantly changing and growing. Yet, so often, we feel pressure to achieve a perfect finished space, one that looks polished and flawless at all times. But here’s the truth: real homes evolve with us. This series is about celebrating that evolution, embracing progress over perfection, and finding beauty in the ongoing journey of home-making.

In each post, I’ll share insights and lessons learned from my own renovation journey, where mistakes, discoveries, and slow progress have shaped not just my house, but my perspective. Whether you’re mid-renovation or simply trying to make your space feel more like you, this series will remind you that it’s okay to live in the in-between.

Part 5: Homes (and People) Evolve

One of the most beautiful realisations I’ve had is that my home is a living thing, just like I am. It changes as I change. And that’s a good thing! Think about it – are you the same person you were ten years ago? Probably not. Your tastes, habits, and lifestyle have likely shifted in some way, big or small. It makes sense that your home should shift along with you.

A Home That Grows With You

Trying to lock your house into a “finished” state is like trying to freeze yourself at one point in time. You’re going to grow, and then the house might not fit you anymore. I love the way one designed described this: “Your home is a living breathing reflection of your journey – changing as you grow, adapt, and discover new facets of yourself.” (Brass and Brick, 2025) In other words, your home should tell your story, and since your story is always unfolding, your home is by nature a work in progress.

Reflections of Life’s Chapters

When I look around now, I see evidence of different chapters of my life: the olive velvet cushions I fell in love with in my first home, the grey L-shaped sofa I invested in and is so comfy, the pendant lights in my kitchen that my Grandma thrifted for me. Rather than viewing these changes as “inconsistency,” I choose to view them as layers of rich, personal narrative.

Design Maturity Comes with Time

Design maturity often comes with patience. The longer you live in (and tinker with) a home, the more your style preferences crystallise. I moved in thinking I wanted a traditional farmhouse style; a year later I craved a more contemporary look. It took time living in the space to realise what made me feel cosy and happy.

Bridie Hall, a designer, mentioned, “Good interiors evolve over time.” She reassures people not to rush, saying, “It’ll happen when it happens.” (House & Garden, n.d.) Another designer, Brandon, noted that many people get better results by going slow, because tastes change and new ideas come along. You might discover a fantastic design element a year from now that you’d never have considered before (House & Garden, n.d.).

The Unexpected Joys of Patience

I experienced that firsthand: I was all set to do a central fireplace on an external wall in my snug, but I procrastinated. It didn’t feel right with the dimensions of the space. In the meantime, I learned about bioethanol fires, and completely changes my mind to a nook fireplace on an internal wall. If I had wrapped up the snug quickly, I’d have missed out on something I now love.

There’s also a fun fact: some trends you’re obsessed with today might make you roll your eyes tomorrow. (Shiplap walls anyone?) By not overhauling everything in one trend’s image, you give your home leeway to change style gracefully. “Trends will come and go, but your home should always feel like you,” one designer writes, emphasising that design isn’t about chasing each trend or achieving a flawless look (Brass and Brick, 2025).

A Home That Embraces Change

Even real-like homeowners who have gone through slow makeovers often say the same: the home they end up with is usually quite different (and better suited) than what they initially imagined. Tori, a homeowner from House & Garden, mentioned that taking her time allowed the design to become “something that is right for our family – which is nothing like what I had in mind for the interior of this house when I bought it.” (House & Garden, n.d.)

Finding Peace in the Evolution

For me, learning to embrace the evolving nature of home has brought a lot of peace. I no longer beat myself up that I haven’t “completed” the house. In fact, I kind of love that it’s never done. (Even to my boyfriend’s chagrin) It means I always have a creative project if I want one, and my home can respond to whatever phase of life I’m in.

As my boyfriend starts to work from home more, spaces have changed purpose to accommodate a home office. When we have children, our needs and aesthetics will change again – and that’s fine, that’s life. I’ve stopped thinking of my home as a staged photo and started appreciating it as a living scrapbook of our lives.

A Home is a Journey, Not a Destination

These days, if you walk through my house, you’ll see a mix of old and new, finished corners and “please ignore that wall, it’s next on my list” areas. And I truly wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve learned to take my grandma’s advice to heart and savour the slow unfolding of a home.

If you’re staring at your own four walls feeling overwhelmed or “behind” because your home isn’t perfect or fully done, take heart. Homes are not meant to be perfect; they’re meant to be personal. With each plant you add, each piece of art hung, each pillow swapped out, you’re weaving you into the space. And that’s a slow, ongoing process – a beautiful one.

Conclusion

So embrace the unfinished parts and the not-yet-done plans. Put your stamp on things in your own time. Have patients and trust your evolving taste. In the end, I’d choose my perfectly imperfect, ever-evolving house over a “finished” show-home any day. As one wise homeowner said, “the goal isn’t a perfect house, but a perfectly happy home” (House & Garden, n.d.). And a happy home, I’ve found, is one that grows alongside the people in it, reflecting who we are at every stage. Progress over perfection, every time.

JG x

About the Author

Sources

Brass and Brick. (2025). How To Embrace Your Evolving Style To Authentically Inspire Your Home Decor in 2025. Available at: https://www.brassandbrick.com [Accessed 3 April 2025].

House & Garden. (n.d.). Why you should accept that your house will probably never be finished. Available at: https://www.houseandgarden.co.uk [Accessed 3 April 2025].

Jenna Burger. (n.d.). Embracing the Beautifully Imperfect Home. Available at: https://www.jennaburger.com [Accessed 3 April 2025].

The Good Trade. (n.d.). Why Living With An Unfinished Home Is Essential To Finding Your Design Vision. Available at: https://www.thegoodtrade.com [Accessed 3 April 2025].

Trulery. (n.d.). The Unfinished Home (And My Time Away). Available at: https://www.trulery.com [Accessed 3 April 2025].

Markley Construction. (n.d.). Should I Go for Full Home Renovation or Room-by-room?. Available at: https://www.markleyconstruction.ca [Accessed 3 April 2025].