White House decorating through the ages
Since 1800, the president of the United States has made his home in the White House. Though the building has remained the same, the decor has changed significantly.
From Thomas Jefferson, the home's second occupant, onwards, commanders-in-chief have had quite a bit of flexibility when it comes to how they choose to decorate their temporary home.
Congress appropriates money to renovate and maintain the White House, Slate notes, and while presidents have the freedom to renovate their living quarters as they choose, changes to public spaces or more historic rooms, such as the Lincoln bedroom, must be approved by the Committee of the Preservation of the White House. State rooms, Slate explained, are generally only renovated once every ten years.
Scroll through to see White House decor over the years:
