How Long Does It Take to Curate Your Space Authentically?
The honest answer? Longer than you think.
If you’ve ever found yourself staring at an empty room—or a half-finished one—and wondering why it doesn’t feel quite right yet, you’re not alone. One of the most common questions I hear from clients is: How long should this take?
The honest answer? Longer than you think—and that’s okay.
Curating a space in a way that feels truly authentic takes time. Not because you're slow or indecisive, but because meaningful design is layered. It’s collected. It’s acquired.
You live with things, you rearrange, and you edit. Sometimes you travel and find something that feels like you. Sometimes you fall in love with a fabric or piece of art, and everything else starts to orbit around it. Maybe it’s a gift, or a hand-me-down. All of those pieces are a part of a larger puzzle that will never be finished, if you’re lucky.
If you’re moving into a brand new home, for example, there can be pressure to finish it immediately. Most people tend to rush to fill every corner, hoping to recreate a perfectly styled image they saw online. But in doing so, they often miss out on the quiet joy of discovery—the process of living in a space and letting it tell you what it needs. I think trying to “finish” a home right away is the worst thing you can do. You can’t possibly know how you’ll live in it yet, what moments will unfold where, or what pieces will come to mean something to you.
Design shows and Instagram feeds often make it seem like a beautiful room comes together in a week, but in reality, the most soulful, personal spaces evolve. They’re collected, not copied. Working with a designer sets the foundation, but the homeowner and their unique perspective and personalities are what make a space feel whole.
So if your space is still in progress, take a breath. You’re not behind.
Whether you’re furnishing a home from scratch or just refreshing a corner, give yourself the grace to take your time. And if you ever need a guiding hand, we’re here to help.
Until next time,
The Slate Team