To think a lot of homes are “soulless” and all people care about is size?

Different people have different tastes.

Shocker 🤣

I wonder if the horror of "dust" is part of the whole must wash towels after every use, shower three times a day thing we see on here a lot. That "clutter" is a sign of a undisciplined mind or life

No, I just think it looks shit. There is some evidence to show too that cleaner open spaces reduce anxiety:

Research suggests the detrimental effects of mess and clutter may be more pronounced in women than in men.
One study of 60 dual-income couples found women living in cluttered and stressful homes had higher levels of cortisol (a hormone associated with stress) and heightened depression symptoms.

Its not the houses OP, it's you. You could just as easily visit friends and think, it's so nice to have all this uncluttered space so we can focus on the company and conversation without distraction of the busy decor. Lovely to be able to sit in airy calm without needing to move aside or step around masses of objects. You can enjoy the style you prefer and take pleasure in something different if you look with a positive rather than critical eye. Which if people are your friends and are kind enough to be hosting you, is surely the appropriate thing to do.

I’ve rarely seen ‘bland’ houses in real life. Most have ornaments, artwork, photos etc. Houses online are being geared up to sell (or sell a certain ‘vision’ if in a magazine etc.), so they take out as much personal stuff as possible.

Your preference is exactly that, I don’t think there is any need to be so judgmental about a house you don’t have to live in.

Then decorate your home like this, and others can decorate their homes as they wish.

I disagree (not online I don't look at homes there) but magazines and friends seem to be full of (curated if in a mag) personality! Yes the odd new build executive type home in shades of grey with no artwork and matcha matchup furniture on occasion but I skip those!
I had one friend whose house was minimal - not in style she just had the bare bones there. No artwork, no ornaments, everything thing white, not even a scatter cushion! I found it so depressing. My own house is very 'lived in' with lots of colour (the armchair I'm in is mustard yellow), art collected from all over, texture and light.

I hate houses that are cluttered with "nick naks, not my thing at all. 🤷‍♀️

It’s purely a matter of personal taste. Your fondness for ‘flea market finds’ is not superior to your friends’ preference for a modern or more minimalist look. It’s just different.

A preference for spacious home isn’t any more ‘soulless’ than a preference for shabby chic. If people have chosen something because they like it, regardless of what it is, it isn’t soulless.

My ideal house probably wouldn’t be like either of the two things you describe, really.

OP

I am going to judge your house is my idea of hell, trinkets picked up from travels are usually tacky and mass produced for people like you that think you are superior. Clutter collects dust and looks awful, those colourful rugs, books when were they cleaned?

I have a large house that in my opinion is tasteful and has a few pieces that the decor is centre around.

My house does not have any inherited pieces as my Nan knock off g plan furniture was fit for the skip when she died.

I kind of know what you mean OP. My house is kind of bland, walls and flooring neutral but lots of framed pictures etc, colourful rugs. We have young children so can’t really have clutter and the house doesn’t have much storage.
My sister is buying a house after probate that someone has lived in for 40 years- red carpets, big swirly carpets, rugs to match the curtains (and frilly bits on the bed that drop down to cover sides- forget what it’s called.) Lots of mementos from life, souvenirs from holidays, collections of spoons mounted on the wall, just so much stuff. I would hate to live with that much stuff but also- houses are so boring now (mine included.) There is so much personality in that house you really think you can get an idea of the lady that owned it.

Everyone has their own taste and style. My house wouldn’t be everyone’s taste but I like it. I don’t have a huge house but I’d love a house with huge airy light spaces and no clutter.

Interesting stuff doesn't just have to come from travels though, it's having the confidence to pickup artwork in a charity shop or at auction rather than in the artwork section of B&M or Next.

What you are describing to me OP sounds like tat and clutter. I much prefer minimalism.

Same here. I think it looks tacky and untidy having loads of bits and bobs out. So there we go, everyone likes to decorate their home differently and it's nobody else's business!

I agree with the OP but it will touch a nerve with some people, because a home with interesting paintings and wall hangings from travels is usually a sign of a privileged life. I have spent far more than I dare think about on travel and books because it’s how I’ve chosen to live my life. But if I was doing it again today as a young person, I’d be too debt burdened by student loans and the cost of housing etc to afford it all. And my books would be on a tablet…

Another consideration is that it takes design confidence and either a healthy budget, and or a real interest in stuff like furniture restoration if you want a home to look amazing but not generic. Life is busy for most people. They are not that interested in interior design and just need a comfortable, functional space, without clutter that their toddler will disturb.

I'd like to find a balance between the two!

Our home has lots of personal paintings / objects that we have brought back from travels or have been done by friends and family. I love it but I would also like to be more minimalist with the crap we also have.

Ugh. I hate clutter. Makes me feel claustrophobic.Never set foot in a flea market or intend to.

l like contemporary and minimalist. I do not like tatty ornaments or bits of crap. The dust apart from anything else. I only feel calm if l see lots of empty space. I like plants though.

If you’re looking online it’s stuff like Pinterest or I assume right-move, they are for photos with a specific slant. My friends house is online currently, she declutterred for the photos. She had loads of stuff but removed it.

Everyone has a different idea, I hate clutter but I do have a few things out.

Counting up in main downstairs living areas.
5 framed photos, 10 small objects such an an old Denby jug, small bottle of seashells, a tile plaque we bought on holiday of seashells, three little mice on a never ending chase of each other.

Do many people actually do this? Where are you supposed to keep all the winter, spring, summer stuff, once you’ve bought the autumn stuff? TBH we have quite good loft space but I just couldn’t be arsed with ‘seasonal swops’. Same old cushions and throws all year here.

I would hate a home that kept my eyes busy, minimal is what makes my home comfy to me, it’s not boring to me. I bought the biggest house I could afford, it was my first on the ladder and I see myself living here for most of my working life, so I want the ability to change room usage etc and have enough room.

I'm also with the OP.
I don't take her post as being judgemental, I mean, she's posting her thoughts anonymously isn't she?, and I doubt very much she'd say how she feels about this in RL.
OP didn't say she likes clutter at all, but posters have piled on implying she has.
A few ornaments and sentimental things scattered around a home does not automatically point to having 'loads of clutter'.

I get where you're coming from OP, you like to see a home which doesn't look like a clinical doctor's waiting roomi imagine, for example, and I also like my home to have my own individual 'stamp' on it.
Btw, my home isn't cluttered either, but it does have soul, I think anyway!

Same here. My house is homely looking though, not soulless. Just not full of dusty clutter.

I know this is off topic but I also have had dreams like this since childhood and other than my dad have never come across anyone else that has them!
On the topic of decor, my house is very minimal as I too get overwhelmed with clutter and bright colours. My children male enough mess with their toys etc.. without adding knick-knacks into the mix!

I agree OP, there are a lot of soulless houses. I like a house to be a home, not a showplace which is constantly being updated to fit the latest trend.

Whenever new builds are being discussed people here always always always describe them as soulless boxes. You get several people all using that exact phrase. It's very funny.