So you’ve just moved in and finally got your shipment so you know exactly what you’re missing in your home, or maybe you’ve been here for a bit but want to fill up those empty nooks and crannies that are just begging for a decorative piece. Either way, you know you have the itch to shop for some decor to go with your Shanghai lifestyle.
So what does that mean exactly? Well from my experiences that means buying as many Chinese things as you can and ramming them into your home. Even if that ramming is into the smallest pigeon hole possible, we can always find a reason why that giant Buddha head was the best buy ever because it was on sale and it fits perfectly in that corner. Or, it means buying little things to fill up counters, and even littler things to fit inside the little things! You want a ginger jar? WHY NOT BUY 5?!
With prices being relatively cheap on many things here we all can get a little carried away. And I speak about this from the heart as I stare upon my tea shelf crammed with zodiac figures for the family, tea jars, and succulent plants that I’ve managed to kill, again. We’ve all been there - on the antique market strip, in Yuyuan, or on Taobao, thinking, “Yes! That will look perfect on my shelf/countertop/credenza (I’m not even sure what a credenza is…).” And then you realize suddenly that you have no more space…
Yes, you live in shanghai and Chinese decor is pretty rad. I really want a giant round tea shelf with many levels and drawers on the bottom. It will look amazing holding all of the pictures I currently have sitting in frames on my dining room table instead of the wall where they were supposed to go, more half-dead succulent plants, and so much dust my Ayi will probably quit on me in two days. However, I know if I buy my dream shelf that all I will end up getting is an expensive antique climbing structure for my two boys as they try to navigate their way up to the ceiling.
So how exactly do you decorate your home then? Well, I have a few tips for you:
- Think of the space you’re buying before you buy. I’m notorious for buying things that’ll fit SOMEWHERE but then turns out that somewhere doesn’t exist (I lied I totally, have three vases sitting on the floor of my spare shower). And try not to clutter your home. There is only a few inches between being a master decorator and a total hoarder - don’t cross that line. Okay…there may be four vases…
- You will be tempted to go all out on the Chinese decor, and although it may seem like a great idea now, chances are when you’re ready to repatriate or move those things won’t fit into the style of your next home. Sure, a terracotta warrior looks awesome in your backyard NOW, but take that back to the States or Germany and put it in the front yard. Yea…you’re now all of a sudden the same people that had those giant white lions on the porch that you used to make fun of. It’s gonna be weird.
- Focus on just a few pieces you REALLY love and that you know will fit great in your house or your next place. A piece of art, a really great credenza (seriously what is that?), or an unique antique are perfect things to travel with you and not make you feel like once your home you’re still living in Shanghai - instead these few unique pieces will remind you of the awesome time you had while here living abroad.
- Remember that everything you buy isn't going to make the next trip with you. Keep in mind that at the end of your contract, most of those awesome things you’ll have to part with on a WeChat selling group or Facebook group and at a fraction of the cost you spent on it. Trust me, I’m in a WeChat group of 414 members who buy/sell things and those ladies are RUTHLESS with prices. So if you spent 2000RMB on an awesome Buddha head you better believe that you’re not selling that for more than 200RMB, but really 150RMB because I don't really need it but I’m doing you a favour taking it off your hands.
Don’t get me wrong, buying things to decorate your home here can be super fun - especially if you find the great finds at the back of some crazy back alley antique shop. Things like that make the whole experience here worth it. Plus, how many of us in the world get to move to a new country every few years and get to decorate a whole new place? But, just remember to never go overboard.
However if you do, add me on WeChat. I’d love to take your nice things for just 14% of what you originally paid.
You’ll also have to kuaidi it to me. Thanks!
xoNiki
