Removing Things That Piss You Off (RTTPYO): A Smarter Approach to Interior Design
- nvilu7
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
Updated: May 6
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Everyone Has That One Thing…
Everyone has at least one thing in their home that quietly drives them insane.
A door that doesn’t open all the way
A chair you keep bumping into
A rug that technically works—but not really
You tolerate it. You work around it.
Until one day…you don’t.
That’s where RTTPYO comes in.
What Is RTTPYO? (And Why It Works)
RTTPYO = Removing Things That Piss You Off
It’s a simple but powerful interior design approach:
Identify the small, daily irritations in your home—and eliminate them.
These aren’t major renovation issues.
They’re the low-grade annoyances that slowly drain your patience.
Why it works:
Small annoyances compound over time
Your home should support your life—not fight it
Fixing friction = immediate quality-of-life upgrade
Why Small Irritations Matter More Than You Think
RTTPYOs aren’t dramatic failures.
They’re worse.
They:
Don’t break
Don’t demand attention
Don’t feel urgent
But they show up every single day.
One annoyance = manageable
Ten annoyances = cumulative stress
Your home isn’t stressful because of one big issue—it’s death by a thousand tiny annoyances. |
What Counts as an RTTPYO? (Real Examples)
1. Function That Doesn’t Quite Work
Furniture layouts you “made work”…years ago.
Example:
Closet door blocked by furniture
Awkward traffic flow
Too much furniture
This is where something as simple as furniture sliders makes it easier to test layouts without committing—or throwing out your back.
2. Something That Used to Work—But Doesn’t Anymore
You change one thing…now everything else is off.
New sofa → wrong table height
New layout → storage no longer works
3. The Rug That Finally Breaks You
A perfect example of form vs. function.
If it:
Blocks doors
Trips you
Requires daily adjustments
…it’s not working.
4. Things You Didn’t Choose
Hand-me-downs. “Free” furniture. Gifts.
They’re fine.
But they’re not you...and that matters more than people admit.
5. Things You Once Loved
Sometimes the problem isn’t the item—it’s the context.
A piece that worked for 10+ years can become wrong overnight.
6. Architectural Irritations
Doors that collide
Bad lighting
Awkward built-ins
These often require more planning—and sometimes professional help.
Sometimes, a small fix—like a hinge-mounted door stop —can completely eliminate that daily annoyance.
How to Fix an RTTPYO (3 Options)
1. Move It
Start simple:
Rearrange furniture
Change placement
Rethink function
2. Modify It
If it’s almost right:
Paint
Reupholster
Add a slipcover
Paint is the highest ROI upgrade.
3. Replace It
If it truly doesn’t work—let it go.
But replace it intentionally.
Don’t remove something essential (like your only sofa) without a replacement plan. |
RTTPYO Transformation Example
An underused pantry that constantly annoyed its owner became:
✔️ A functional home office
✔️ Clean storage system
✔️ Zero daily friction
Key takeaway:
Sometimes the best fix isn’t improving the item—it’s rethinking the space entirely.
The RTTPYO Checklist (Save This)
Before you start tossing things, ask:
Origin
Did I choose this?
Timeline
When did this start bothering me?
Cause
Function? Aesthetic? Placement?
Barriers
Why haven’t I fixed it?
Options
Move it? Modify it?
Removal
Sell, donate, trash?
Replacement
Do I actually need it?
RTTPYO “Fix It” Shopping List
Use this as your go-to toolkit for fixing the things that annoy you today—not someday.
For Layout & Function Fixes
Furniture sliders —so you can test layouts in minutes instead of living with a bad one for years
Measuring tape —the easiest way to avoid creating your next RTTPYO
Door stops
Hinge mount, brass —fixes the “door hits something every time” problem instantly
Hinge mount, satin nickel
For Quick Makeovers
Slipcovers —the fastest way to make something usable again without replacing it
For Lighting Fixes
LED bulbs —one of the simplest upgrades that makes a room feel completely different
Robert Abbey lighting (love)
For Decluttering & Storage
Yamazaki Home products are brilliant
If you want to fix one RTTPYO fast, start here:
Furniture sliders (to test layouts)
A measuring tape (to get it right)
A hinge-mounted door stop (to eliminate daily friction)
Three small fixes—huge difference.
Final Thought: You Already Know Your First RTTPYO
It’s the thing that popped into your head while reading this.
The one you deal with every day.
Fix that one first.
Quick Fix Toolkit (Save This)
More RTTPYOs Coming
This approach works in:
Kitchens
Bedrooms
Bathrooms
Outdoor spaces
And once you start…
…it’s very hard to stop.
You already know your first RTTPYO.
Now, don’t overthink it—fix it.
Download The RTTPYO Method to walk through exactly what to move, modify, or remove (and what to replace it with) so you can eliminate the daily friction—one fix at a time.
Grab the guide and start with the thing that’s been bothering you the most.
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