How to Avoid Falling into the Diderot Effect when Decorating Your Home
The Diderot Effect is a phenomenon that occurs when obtaining a new possession often leads to the desire for more possessions. We can all relate to this feeling – after buying a new piece of furniture, it’s only natural that we want to buy other items to match it. But with the Diderot Effect, we end up buying more than what our previous selves needed in order to feel happy or fulfilled. Most home decorators – both professionals and enthusiasts alike – are prone to falling into this spiral of consumption. It’s important to be aware of the Diderot Effect and take precautions when making decisions about decorating your home.
The term “Diderot effect” was coined by French philosopher Denis Diderot in 1773, but its concept has been around for much longer. It is rooted in our evolutionary biology – humans naturally strive for higher levels of comfort, safety, and security. This is why obtaining new possessions can lead us down a path of acquiring even more things. As humans, we are never truly satisfied with what we have; instead, we are always searching for something better or more luxurious.
The key is being intentional about your purchases and making sure that each one adds value to your life in some way. Instead of just buying more stuff because it looks nice or because everyone else has it, focus on purchasing items that are actually useful or meaningful for you and your family. Think about what kind of environment you want for your home—how do you want it to look? What kind of atmosphere do you want to create? How can furniture, decorations, and other items help facilitate that atmosphere? When making purchases, keep these questions in mind so that you don’t get sucked into an endless cycle of buying things without purpose or meaning behind them.
At the end of the day, I don't want you buying more stuff—I want you creating a better life. I want you living happily at home with all the right pieces in place, not consumed by an endless cycle of purchasing items without any thought behind them. People who decorate from the Diderot effect fail miserably; they end up feeling dissatisfied with their homes instead of contented and relaxed in their own environment. By avoiding this trap through thoughtful consideration and intentionality when making purchases for your home decorating project, however, I'm confident that you will be able to create a beautiful space filled with meaningful items!
