Kristin Wong* says the abundance of home improvement and lifestyle media can make it difficult to resist the desire to upgrade your home.
“We need new stuff,” I muttered to my husband one evening, watching an episode of The World’s Most Extraordinary Homes on Netflix.
Our home is cosy and lovely, but is it extraordinary?
Not really.
Watching these shows, you can’t help but compare.
After witnessing a sleek, modern villa built into the side of a cliff, how can you possibly look at your suburban tract home the same way?
You can’t, and you’ll probably never have the villa — but hey, maybe you can spend some money on an upgrade.
I have an obsession with home improvement content.
And I’m not alone.
There’s an uptick in consumer interest in home improvement content, as the global home decor market is expected to grow by nearly 5 per cent in the next five years.
My interest in home lifestyle media is less about entertainment than it is about consumption.
I watch because, perhaps unconsciously, I want to shop.
It’s fascinating, and a bit unsettling, the way home lifestyle programming taps into this.
It does an excellent job of provoking our aspirational spending — we see it, we like it, we want it, we find our nearest credit card and hit the buy button.
To be fair, I wouldn’t want to live in a world where I couldn’t spend hours on end drooling over beautiful urban lofts and massive spa-like bathrooms.
Interior design also serves a meaningful purpose — there’s a strong relationship between our environment and our mental and physical health.
The colour of our walls can affect our mood.
Lighting influences our energy levels and productivity.
Architects and designers have created an entire set of standards for improving mental health and wellbeing through design.
There’s a utility in home improvement media: It teaches us how to make our surroundings prettier, and pretty things make us happy.
On the other hand, it’s possible to take this too far.
The Globe and Mail’s health reporter Adriana Barton argues that an obsession with home decor is a reflection of our own self-image.
The home is an extension of the self, she says, arguing that this is especially true — and dangerous — for women.
Barton writes: “Like body image, it has become a measuring stick for their successes and failings.”
Like self-image issues, Barton argues that ultimately, you will never get to a place where you’re truly satisfied.
Even if your home decor obsession isn’t linked to your self-worth, it becomes hazardous when it encourages you to buy stuff you can’t afford.
So how do you temper your inner consumer when scrolling through Instagram or binging the latest home show on Netflix?
I’ve found a few strategies can help.
Don’t default to spending
When you want something new, start at the bottom of the pyramid and work your way up.
If you can’t borrow, swap for, thrift, or make something you need, only then does it make sense to buy it outright.
For example, let’s say you want to create a new gallery wall — buying 15 frames at once can be pricey.
Is there a way to use what you already have?
Maybe you have some old frames that might work.
Or, can you borrow what you want?
Perhaps a friend or family member has a boatload of photo frames in storage.
Work your way up the pyramid so that when you want something new, your default solution isn’t to spend money.
Keep a wish list
I also keep a running wish list of all the stuff I want.
For example, since I recently moved, this list is filled to the brim, but chances are, the list will start to shrink over time, as reality sets in and I realise I have to make concessions with my budget.
On the other hand, the list also serves as a way to curate all the things you do want and can save up to buy.
When you can afford a little upgrade or redecorating session, you have a go-to shopping list.
A wish list keeps your expectations in check, along with your budget.
Rearrange some stuff
Rearranging is my favourite way to curb overspending when I get the home improvement itch.
Or, you could swap out your living room decor with your bedroom decor.
Either way, you get an instant update without spending a dime.
But if you really do want to upgrade, start with some low-cost options.
It’s relatively affordable to swap out bathroom cabinet knobs, for example, and they can refresh the entire room.
Lighting is also important.
Warmer or cooler bulbs will create an entirely different vibe.
It can’t hurt to learn some basic home decorating and design principles, too.
Instead of buying all new stuff in an attempt to completely overhaul your lifestyle, learn some tools of the trade and see how much you can improve with what you already have.
We consume this media for a reason.
There’s something deliciously satisfying about drooling over the luxurious open kitchens on Fixer Upper or the beautiful botanical lofts on Apartment Therapy.
And really, sometimes it just feels good to look at over-the-top architecture and dream about what your own home might look like someday.
But ultimately, consuming this type of media in a healthy way comes down to balancing your aspirations with an appreciation for your current lifestyle — even if it sometimes feels ordinary.
* Kristin Wong is the Managing Editor of the Financial Diet.
This article first appeared at thefinancialdiet.com.
