One of the most common reasons people renovate their homes is a
One of the most common reasons people renovate their homes is a change in their lifestyle - an upcoming wedding, a new baby, or grown children moving away.
In these insightful words, Candice Olson reflects on the profound relationship between the home and the stages of human life. She observes that one of the most common reasons people renovate is a shift in their lifestyle, whether it be an upcoming wedding, the arrival of a new baby, or the departure of grown children. The home, she suggests, is not merely a shelter, but a living reflection of the evolving needs, desires, and joys of those who dwell within it. Each renovation is a response to change, a symbolic act of adaptation, and a tangible expression of the human journey.
The origin of this wisdom lies in the timeless human instinct to shape our surroundings in harmony with life’s transitions. From the humble dwellings of ancient civilizations to the grand halls of Renaissance palaces, humans have always modified their abodes to reflect their circumstances. In ancient Rome, for example, a family might enlarge their domus in anticipation of a marriage, or transform rooms to accommodate the birth of children. Candice’s modern observation echoes this enduring truth: as our lives change, so too must the spaces in which we live.
Consider the story of Marie Antoinette, whose luxurious Petit Trianon was constantly adapted to reflect her changing desires and private life away from the formalities of Versailles. As her world evolved, so did her living spaces, symbolizing both personal growth and the shifting dynamics of her family and court. Like Olson’s insight into modern home renovations, this historical example illustrates that changes in dwelling are inseparable from the rhythms of life, serving as mirrors to human experience.
Olson’s words also convey a deeper lesson about intention and foresight. Renovation is not merely an aesthetic endeavor; it is a conscious alignment of environment with life’s trajectory. Just as a gardener prunes and replants to accommodate the changing seasons, humans reshape their homes to better support love, growth, and transition. The arrival of a child or the emptying of a nest becomes not only a practical challenge, but an opportunity to honor these shifts with care and creativity.
Ultimately, this quote is a meditation on adaptability and reflection. The home is a vessel of human emotion, memory, and aspiration, and the act of renovation is a sacred acknowledgment of life’s continual flux. Candice Olson teaches future generations that the spaces we inhabit are not static, but alive with the echoes of our joys, milestones, and transitions. Let this wisdom endure: to renovate is to honor the passage of life, to transform space as we transform ourselves, and to weave our evolving stories into the very walls that shelter us.
NDChung Thi Nhu Diem
I like how this quote connects practical decisions to emotional milestones. Weddings, new babies, or even an empty nest—these are huge moments that reshape our priorities. I think home renovation becomes a form of storytelling, showing who we are and what matters most at each stage. But I also wonder, do we sometimes underestimate how these changes impact our sense of belonging and identity?
VVVan Van
This observation feels so true to modern life. Our homes grow with us, and renovation often mirrors emotional readiness for a new stage. I think it’s beautiful how design becomes a language for transformation. Still, I wonder if constant renovation also reflects restlessness—our need to keep reinventing ourselves. Can we ever feel ‘settled,’ or is change the only real constant?
YVNguyen Huynh Yen Vy
It’s interesting how Candice Olson captures the emotional layer behind home design. Renovating for milestones like weddings or babies isn’t just practical—it’s deeply sentimental. The home becomes a canvas for hope and anticipation. But it also makes me curious: do these changes ever pressure people into chasing an image of perfection, instead of simply creating spaces that feel genuine and lived-in?
KCngo phung khanh chau
I find this quote so insightful because it links design to the emotional rhythm of life. Renovations often come from major life transitions, but I wonder—are we sometimes too quick to change our surroundings instead of adapting ourselves? There’s something symbolic in tearing down walls or creating new rooms. Maybe it’s our way of regaining control when life moves faster than we can process.
TDThanh Duy
This statement really resonates. It shows how closely our environment connects to our identity and emotions. When life changes, our needs—and sometimes our sense of comfort—shift too. I’ve noticed how even small updates like painting a room or rearranging furniture can make us feel renewed. Maybe renovating isn’t just about space, but about processing change in a tangible way.