A Fresh Start: Redecorating Your Home Post-Divorce with Kids in Mind

How can redecoration help you and your kids move forward? What are child-friendly ways to refresh your space?

The moment your partner moves out, your home can suddenly feel like an echo chamber of the life you once shared. It's a profound and often painful adjustment for everyone involved, especially for children. However, this transition also presents an opportunity to create a fresh, comforting environment that supports healing and new beginnings for you and your family. As a divorce coach, I’ve helped many families navigate this delicate phase. Here’s how you can approach redecorating your home post-divorce, with a focus on making the space inviting and reassuring for your children.

Create a Comfort Zone

Children thrive on stability and comfort, which can be disrupted by the physical and emotional upheaval of divorce. Start by focusing on their rooms. Involve them in the process of choosing new colors, themes, or decorations. This not only gives them a sense of control during a time of change but also makes their space feel safe and personalized. A client once shared how turning her son's fascination with space into a room theme helped him feel excited about the change rather than apprehensive.

Incorporate Familiar Touches

While introducing new elements into your home, keep some familiarity. If there are pieces of furniture, art, or decorations that your children are particularly attached to, find ways to incorporate them into your new design. It’s like weaving threads of your past into the fabric of your future, offering comfort amid change.

Opt for Calm and Uplifting Colors

The colors around us can significantly influence our mood and sense of well-being. When choosing paint, furnishings, or decorations, consider hues that are both calming and uplifting. Shades of blue and green can bring tranquility, while warm yellows and soft pinks can offer a gentle boost of happiness and optimism. A mother I worked with painted one wall in her living room a cheerful shade of yellow, which she and her children affectionately called their "sunshine wall."

Create Shared Spaces

Redecorating post-divorce is not just about individual spaces but also about creating shared areas that encourage family time. Consider designating a cozy corner for reading, an art station for creative projects, or a game area. These spaces can become a sanctuary for you and your children to bond, laugh, and create new memories together.

Let the Light In

Natural light can work wonders for the soul. As you redecorate, find ways to maximize the light in your home. This might mean swapping heavy drapes for lighter curtains or arranging furniture to enhance the flow of light. A brighter home can lead to a brighter outlook for you and your children.

Involve Your Children in the Process

Finally, involve your children in the redecorating process as much as possible. Whether it’s picking out new bedding, deciding on wall art, or choosing a new dinner table set, making decisions together can be empowering. It reinforces the idea that although life is changing, you are in it together, building something new and positive.

Redecorating your home after your partner moves out can be a therapeutic process, helping to mark the beginning of a new chapter for your family. By focusing on creating a space that reflects both your and your children's needs and personalities, you can turn your home into a source of comfort and joy during a time of transition. Remember, it's not just about changing your surroundings but also about reinforcing the love and unity that remains within your family.