Picture of car tire stuck in the mud

Overcoming interior design paralysis or how to get unstuck

Photo by Aubrey Odom

Most of my interior design clients are smart people who simply got stuck. They knew they wanted a new room, and they had some ideas about what should go into that room, but the project never went any further than that. So, they hired me, and I got it moving.

What if you don't want to hire a designer? What if you really want to be your own designer? Well, you've come to the right place. I'm going to tell you exactly how to restart a stalled renovation.

Here goes:

  1. Take all of the work you've done so far and file it. That might mean creating a physical file, a folder on your computer, or simply parking it mentally. Consider it research. It's valuable, and you've saved it so that you can refer to it later.
  2. Resist doing further research. Just stop Googling, surfing Houzz, and perusing Wayfair. There will be plenty of time for that later.
  3. Go back to the beginning of any project, defining success, and start over. You're stuck because you've skipped something. You're trying to make a decision that you're not prepared to make yet. So, go back to the beginning, identify what you missed, and move forward methodically. If you're not sure what steps you should be following are, check out this blog post: Five Phases of an Interior Design Project

Figuring out where you skipped a step and starting from there will get your project moving. It's worked for me and my clients. It'll work for you too.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.

About the author

She didn't know it, but Jackie Lopey's days as an advertising executive were numbered when she bought and renovated a 1950's bungalow. She soon went back to school and started her own design studio. Jackie is an award-winning, California certified interior designer and the founder of Wide Canvas.

Thinking about updating your kitchen, bathroom or whole house?
I’d love to help you bring your ideas to life! With my award‑winning design team, you can enjoy the fun parts—picking finishes, planning your space, and seeing your vision come together—while we take care of the details that make the process easy and enjoyable.

Book a Discovery Call

Ready to talk about your project?

Reno Nevada Kitchen Light & Bright Kitchen remodel with off-white porcelain tile floor, arched niche with wet bar, green custom made cabinet, marble backsplash and beverage refrigerator. Designed by Jackie Lopey of Wide Canvas

If you’re planning a full‑room or whole‑home remodel and want a partner to guide you from first idea to final walkthrough, we’d love to hear what you’re dreaming about.

Book a Discovery Call