So many people ask how we know we’re going in the “right direction” in the middle of a project. Our process is largely trial and error, with course corrections and small tweaks along the way, but we also try to establish a general plan at the start. That loose plan gives us a path to follow, because, as we like to say: the middle makes no sense.
That phrase comes up a lot while we work. It’s helpful for anyone stuck halfway through a room who worries the project is off track or will look terrible when it’s finished. Even experienced DIYers can feel that way. When you’re halfway through a renovation or makeover, progress often looks chaotic. This is obvious in big projects like kitchen remodels — things usually get a lot uglier before they get better — but it also applies to smaller updates that don’t involve demolition.
We’ve learned to resist rushing to judgment when only part of the changes are in place, when major components are missing, or when the color scheme isn’t fully implemented. The middle phase can be long, and it’s normal to question choices during that time. The reassuring part is that most home design choices aren’t irreversible: you can repaint, sand and restain, rearrange, move pieces to another room, or sell them. That flexibility makes it easier to stay calm and keep moving forward.
Usually, if we make thoughtful decisions at the beginning — after some planning and research — those choices tend to “click” once the room is complete. The danger is getting frozen by indecision or constantly second-guessing and changing course before a room comes together. That’s why we spend some time at the start considering the desired end result: a color palette, a functional layout, the intended use of the space, and the overall vibe. You don’t need a fully fleshed-out vision on day one, but having some main ideas helps guide the process.
One clear example is the opening we added between the kitchen and dining room. A half-wall looked odd during construction, but after sketching plans and visualizing it, we committed to the design. The middle looked messy and made us nervous, but we pressed on. Once drywall, trim, furniture, cabinets, counters, and lighting were in place, the half-wall felt like the right choice. If we hadn’t liked the result, we could have adjusted it later, but changing course mid-project probably would have prevented us from seeing its full potential.
The same principle applies to less dramatic decorating projects. A finished room relies on balance, scale, and a mix of finishes, colors, and textures. Those elements often don’t make sense until the final touches are in place. When a room is half done, it can look unbalanced even to the people who planned it. Over the years we’ve trained ourselves to keep going, step by step, repeating our mantra: the middle makes no sense. In short: stay patient and keep working.
For instance, we found two chipped black thrift-store office chairs and decided to paint and reupholster them in a bright green with patterned fabric. At first the chairs looked way too loud compared to the rest of the room, and several readers agreed they felt unbalanced. We still had more pieces to add, though, and we resisted the urge to undo the chairs. We planned to introduce other colors and art to tie everything together.
As the room evolved we added cheerful artwork, a green planter to echo the chair color, and painted the wall under the chair rail a darker gray to ground the space. Gradually the bright chairs stopped feeling out of place. The lesson: commit to a thoughtful idea, then add complementary elements so the room can reach its full potential. The middle is a judgment-free zone for experimentation and patience.
Another example is a mirror we hung over a sink nook in our bedroom. The area originally looked awkward, with a medicine cabinet and heavy stone backsplash. We removed the medicine cabinet, demoed the thick stone, and considered painting the mirror frame white. Instead of rushing, we lived with the space a while, tested ideas, and then painted the mirror and surrounding walls in a moody gray-tan. The nook transformed into a charming corner of the room.
One tip we always share: take your time in the middle. It’s not the stage for drastic, impulsive changes. Live with decisions a bit before repainting or reworking them. Think, form a plan, and then execute. Usually the room will come together and reveal whether any final adjustments are needed.
We understand why readers — and we ourselves — ask lots of questions when projects are mid-progress. But panic rarely helps. Patience, a clear initial plan, and continuing toward a more finished state usually reveal what works and what doesn’t. When a room is 40–60 percent complete, it’s nearly impossible to see the whole picture; once enough elements are in place, balance and order return and the design becomes clear.
So that’s our big Tuesday-afternoon brain dump: plan thoughtfully, accept that the middle will look strange, and keep moving forward. What sayings or mantras help you get through the messy middle of a renovation or room makeover? Share your tips and ideas.