Hosting guests in your home can be a fun experience but can also bring up moments of sensitivity, especially if comments are made about your interior design choices. Your home is a reflection of your personal style and sensibility, and if someone critiques it, it can feel like a personal attack. So, what do you do if someone makes shady comments about your home decor?

There is Power in Nonchalance

If a guest makes a negative comment about your home decor, the best reaction is nonchalance. Saying something like, “Oh, I never looked at it that way,” can be a good enough response to change the subject without creating drama. The lack of a strong emotional reaction sends a subtle message that while you acknowledge their opinion, it’s not a determining factor in how you choose to decorate your home.

Kill them with kindness.

Whether the comment is an opinion or mean-spirited, you can always steer the conversation toward their interests. Ask them about what they’ve chosen for their own homes or what their ideal home looks like. This takes the focus off of your design choices and subtly shifts the conversation toward the fact that different people have different tastes.

Consider the critique as something to learn from.

Sometimes, constructive criticism is needed. We tend to overlook things over the years, and our friends and family try to help by pointing them out. If the comment isn’t purely opinionated and highlights room for improvement or change, it would be a good opportunity to reassess that aspect of your home decor.

Pick your battles.

You don’t need to defend your personal taste or design style to everyone who walks through your door. Some people make comments as a way to show control or their expertise. Evaluate the relationship you have with the person making the comment. Is it really worth damaging a relationship over what they think about your wall color or rug choice?

Your home is where you should feel most comfortable, and your decor should reflect what makes you feel joy. At the end of the day, if you like your decor, then that’s all that matters.