When it comes to designing our homes, one of the most common struggles seems to be walking the line between decorating (and renovating) for yourself and decorating for resale value. As the editor of Country Living, I hear it from readers all the time, and I’ve experienced it while tackling my own design projects. It makes sense, of course. Buying a home is a huge financial commitment, and of course you want to maximize the return on your investment. However, in a world that feels increasingly homogenized, it’s more important than ever that our homes feel like our personal sanctuaries, not soulless white boxes waiting for someone else to make their mark. After all, it’s why more and more people are gravitating toward antiques, incorporating color, and embracing wallpaper everywhere from the kitchen to the bathroom. Laurey W. GlennCobalt blue cabinetry? Radish-print fabric? Lattice wallpaper? For designer Lizzie Cox that’s a yes, yes, and yes.If you’ve found yourself here, you’ve also likely found yourself debating going with your gut and playing it “safe,” and we’re here to tell you not to overthink it. Here are just a few reasons to throw caution to the wind and wallpaper that powder room already. You’ll probably be there longer than you think.Research shows buyers often remain in their houses for longer than anticipated. According to Zillow, the average homeowner reported living in their home for 12 years before selling in 2024. Twelve years is a long time to worry about what a future homebuyer will think of your shower tile. (For what it’s worth, I still regret playing it safe on the tile front.) Matthew KisidayA botanical-print powder room by Kendall Rabun Interiors beautifully lives in the moment.Color and pattern can be good for you.“There’s a lot of research on how colorful spaces can influence well-being for the better,” says designer Ingrid Fetell Lee, who even wrote a book on how color, among many other things, can lift spirits. Why deprive yourself of that joy on a daily basis? Country Living Home & Style Editor Anna Logan agrees: “The mood-boosting power of ‘Dopamine Decorating’ is a very real thing.” Bonus: Color and pattern can also have a similar uplifting affect on home buyers who may feel tired of looking at houses that all feel cut from the same proverbial cloth.If you do want to make bold choices with resale in mind, Amanda Pendleton, Zillow’s home trends expert, says to consider keeping the common areas of your home relatively neutral and adding personality to the private spaces. Zillow’s latest paint color analysis finds buyers are more willing to tolerate dramatic paint colors in the bedroom or bathroom, as opposed to the living room or kitchen.David Tsay for Country LivingA quilted tile motif in the shower can be even more invigorating than your peppermint body wash.Even “safe” choices can wind up feeling dated.Take, for example, the ubiquitous modern farmhouse look. It is not particularly flashy, but there’s already some backlash over gray hardwood floors and black window sashes, which could ultimately be more off-putting to a buyer than, say, a chintzy cabbage rose wallcovering or yellow kitchen cabinets. Similarly, granite kitchen countertops probably seemed like the safe pick at the time, but many home buyers now prefer quartz or soapstone. In other words, it can be hard to suss out what has staying power, so you may as well live with what you love as long as you’re there. Max Kim-Bee for Country LivingOur homes—like this one by Madcap Cottage—should be living scrapbooks, not blank notebooks.Personality may help your house stand out.“After spending so much time confined to one environment during the pandemic, I think people began to realize how important color and variety are in their surroundings,” says Ingrid. Amanda echoes that sentiment, “The pandemic changed home preferences. As we all spent so much time in our homes, we became a lot more attuned to how we want to use our homes. As a result, we’ve seen that buyers are increasingly looking for homes that reflect their personal tastes and lifestyles. Homes with unique and personalized features command higher sale prices, even if those homes take slightly longer to sell.” While Amanda notes these features may not appeal to every buyer (see: putting greens!), those who value them are willing to pay more to get them. Stacy Zarin GoldbergSomeday, someone’s going to buy this Molly Singer-designed house precisely for that gingham ceiling.It makes your home more memorable.“I often encourage people to think about a space in terms of moments, not stuff,” says Ingrid. “When you look back at this time in your life, how do you want to picture those memories? Think about how much the color might boost your mood or make others smile. Then add that up, moment by moment, over the years you’ll live in that space. If you think about it as just a pretty tile [or wallpaper or cabinet color...], it might seem frivolous, but if you think about starting your day on a positive note, every day for years, that’s a lot more meaningful.”That concept of memory-making was top of mind when Country Living Design Director Maribeth Jones embarked on the renovation of her own Birmingham, Alabama, kitchen. Although she says she encountered her fair share of skeptics when she decided to go all in on sunny yellow cabinetry and William Morris wallcovering, she remained true to her vision. Becky StaynerWhen it comes to lasting impressions, a cookie-cutter cook space can’t compete with Maribeth Jones’ sunny-disposition kitchen.“It’s important to remember that your home is for you—your comfort, your needs, your enjoyment. Despite the naysayers, all I could think of was our daughter Ruby turning to her little sister Florence someday and saying, “Remember the kitchen when we were little girls? The one with the yellow cabinets, checkered floors, and lemons on the wall?” And of course, she will. Related StoriesRachel Hardage BarrettRachel Hardage Barrett has written for and edited lifestyle publications for more than 20 years. As the editor-in-chief of Country Living, she has covered all things related to country life—including design, gardening, food, travel, antiques, crafts, and country pop culture—for more than a decade. Before Country Living, Rachel spent several years at Southern Living, where she served as Executive Editor covering travel, food, style, and features. Before Southern Living, Rachel was the Special Projects Director of Real Simple, where she wrote and oversaw books and special issues about food, travel, weddings, organizing, and parenting in addition to working on international editions and licensed products. Before working at lifestyle brands, Rachel started her magazine career at Glamour, where she wrote and edited relationship articles, celebrity interviews, as well as fashion and features content. When she’s not working on the magazine, she can likely be found poking around an antiques shop, perusing country real estate listings, or dreaming of opening a general store.