Divorce can be one of life’s most difficult transitions. Even if the separation is amicable and you’re looking forward to this new phase of your life, it’s still a profound change. You’re starting over. You’re building a future you perhaps never expected.

It can take time to regain your equilibrium, to orient yourself in the world as a newly-single person. When you’re going through this momentous transformation, one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is a beautiful living space that truly reflects and nurtures the metamorphosis you’re experiencing.

The good news, though, is that you don’t have to break the bank or drive yourself crazy trying to design a space that gives you Comfort, peace, and joy. We’ll show you how!

Clean Your Space

Whether you’re redesigning your marital home or setting up new digs of your own, the first order of business is to start with the essentials. Consider hiring a cleaning service and garbage disposal crew to give your space a thorough cleaning and decluttering. This will not only ensure that you have a fresh and healthy space, but it’s also going to help you, literally and figuratively, get rid of the junk that’s weighing you down.

So use this time to sort through your documents, keep and organize the essentials, and shred the papers you don’t need to hold onto. Do the same for old mementos, knick-knacks, and other items that you associated with old or unpleasant memories that keep you rooted in the past. The goal, after all, is to give your body, mind, and spirit a clean break and fresh new start!

Change It Up

As important as it is to make a fresh start, it’s probably not financially or logistically feasible, or even desirable, to simply ditch everything and start anew. However,  that doesn’t mean you can’t still make a change. If you can’t afford a new bed, for example, then consider investing in new bedding, drapery, or even a headboard to embrace your new style.

If you can’t swing new furniture just yet, then consider transforming them with higher-end slipcovers and colorful throw pillows and blankets in luxurious fabrics.

If you can’t completely renovate your home then slap on a fresh coat of paint to reflect an aesthetic that is uniquely your own. Every change you make in your home design, no matter how small, is an assertion of your new independence and autonomy. If it makes you happy, it’s a change worth making.

Mood-Boosting Design

No matter what you may be going through in your life, your home should be a refuge for you. It should be a place of peace, comfort, and joy, where you can practice self-care and tend to your needs.

Your design choices can help you create the haven you want and deserve. Even a few simple touches can transform your space into a mood-boosting sanctuary. The key is to create a space that appeals to all the senses.

Use scented candles and aromatherapy diffusers to perfume the air. Download your favorite music or nature sounds to your sound system and let the sounds you love most gently suffuse the space. Outfit your rooms with textures that are soft, warm, and soothing, such as velvet and chenille. Combine sheers with blinds or light-filtering drapes to flood the room with natural light when you want it and to give you privacy when you’re ready to shut the world out for a while.

Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff

Let’s face it: divorce can be expensive. There’s a good chance that you’re starting your post-divorce life in a new, smaller space. However, you don’t have to sacrifice comfort and style for the sake of economy.

The trick is to use strategy to align your aesthetic with the limitations of your more compact home. Whether you’re decorating a studio apartment or a tiny home, focus on streamlined furnishings and multipurpose elements. For example, small sectional sofas, armless accent chairs, and elegant chaise lounges can provide ample seating without physically or visually overwhelming the space. Likewise, storage ottomans, settees, and benches can do double-duty as both seating and storage.

In addition to getting savvy and strategic with your furnishings, you’ll also want to select a few statement pieces to maximize the style quotient. A lush area rug, an elegant floor vase, or an eye-catching framed painting will help make your small space both beautiful and inviting.

The Takeaway

Change is never easy, but starting a new life after divorce can be a grand adventure. Whether you’re writing the next chapter of your life in your marital home or a new space of your own, however, it’s imperative to design your home to reflect your newfound independence and to provide the peace, comfort, and joy you deserve.

Sam Bowman authored this post. 

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