There is an interesting phenomenon that happens when I get rolling on projects. Whether it be organizing, design, or staging – about two to three hours into working there is a noticeable shift in my clients’ behavior or attitude. Sometimes this change is temporary while for others, it lasts throughout the project (particularly for those who are moving). Interestingly, you may think it would happen with only large projects…no actually! I would see it even when organizing a junk drawer.
I am an observant person. I also remain present when working, not drifting off into la la land! I see subtle changes and of course the big ones.
Over time, I found myself really needing to understand why are emotions coming out sideways even for seemingly fun projects like decorating?
Staging a home produces stronger emotions because moving is one of life’s biggest stressors.
Then finally I figured it out! At least in part.
Spatial disruption may be to blame!
What is spatial disruption or spatial memory? It is the aspect of memory involving encoding and retrieval of information regarding one’s environment and spatial orientation, which is a complex biological function incorporating multiple neuronal networks. More simply, it is knowing that the couch was placed in that location in the living room and there it shall remain both physically and in your brain. But when the couch is moved, your comfort level changes subconsciously because the couch location has been disrupted.
Give it a try. Walk into your dining room and carry a dining room chair into the hallway. Go back to the dining room and carry another chair into the living room and set it right in the center of the space. Head back to the dining room and lay a dining chair on its side.
Next, take a walk back through the three spaces. Something isn’t quite right? It doesn’t look the same! You might be thinking “I wouldn’t put the chair there” or “that table doesn’t look right.” Really what you are thinking is “that is not how I’ve always known it to be and I don’t like it!”
With that, as a stager, organizer, and designer, I am interfering with what people have known for years. Even though they want change, it is difficult.
Oftentimes, following a staging consultation, realtors will get a call from their clients complaining about the consult. “They want me to change this and that…” Of course, the reality is that stagers are there to make more money for both the homeowner and real estate agent, but it sometimes comes off as a stressful criticism. Because we are telling them to disrupt their space.
Interior designers get it too! Even though we are hired to redesign the space, there comes a point in the project when that spatial disruption subtly brings up stress.
I do tell my clients about this phenomenon. Truth be told, hopefully to avert taking the brunt of their stress, but to also give them a heads up that the changes in their home will impact them more than they know.
Bottom line, spatial disruption is real. It makes a seemingly easy project turn more stressful. My recommendation is to think through your desire for change and be open to recommendations. Be aware of your feelings and please be kind to those who have been hired to help (your family too!).
