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AIBU?

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Is your home like a show home? If so, where is all your stuff?

137 replies

WorkerBee123 · 23/09/2025 18:55

So I would say I’m pretty tidy-I like it when there are no dishes on the side and the laundry is done, for example. But I live in a decent sized Victorian house with loads of books, plants and art etc (don’t mean to sound wanky). Recently went to someone’s house which was of the ‘executive home’ style-huge and virtually empty except for huge gorgeous sofas, massive island and a giant plant. I loved it! The bedroom was equipped with brand new empty drawers and bedside tables. My spare room is lovely, but there’s a full linen cupboard, drawers full of my stuff and camping gear under the bed. Even their garden was open and clear. Loved it-not my style but loved. Than I recently saw an ig post where the poster said she liked her house to look like no one lives there and that’s pretty much exactly the vibe this one had. Like I said, no judgement. I loved it. Could never achieve it in a million years. If you do, particularly if you live in an old house, how do you do it??

OP posts:
Emma6cat · 23/09/2025 19:23

I just dont hoard. I declutter regularly, and dont have loads of stuff. I like it minimal as its easier to clean and gives me headspace. If I go into a home with too much stuff it gives me anxiety.

Arlanymor · 23/09/2025 19:14

I have moved so many times for work that I have learned to travel light and also ‘live light’ really. My place doesn’t look unlived in though as the stuff I keep is personal stuff - so lots of wall art and a few fun ceramics.

But I don’t have big things - like furniture, my rented flat is furnished - and I like to keep surfaces clear. I also don’t have kids which makes a difference too I guess.

My place just looks… like me… art I like, books I like and that’s about it really. My ex bought a show home and got a deal to keep the contents. Made sense in terms of nice furniture as he was moving from a furnished rental… but he kept the stuff like those weird wooden ball things people
keep in fruit bowls and coffee table books
he had never read and wasn’t interested in.

Even after five years it still looked like a show home with none of his personality stamped on it… which made me realise that he didn’t really have a personality to stamp on it. I’m honestly not being mean - he once asked me about my passions (rugby, reading, writing and volunteering) and said: “There’s nothing I have a passion for. I don’t think I have any interests either.”

Trafficwardentina · 23/09/2025 19:12

LavenderBlue19 · 23/09/2025 19:07

Why would you want empty drawers? Isn't that rather pointless?

A house that looks like no-one lives there sounds desperately sad to me.

Agree. Why would you want to live in a soulless house? Yours sounds much much better OP.

I once stayed in a house with no pictures, photos or books. The owners simply had no interests.

AllIsWellBecause · 23/09/2025 19:10

Just few changes of nice clothes I suppose, few plates and dishes etc

I live in a 60 sq m place and have books, clothes, dishes, plastic bags, containers, plants, art on the walls, throws and cushions, toy and game corner. I have boxes, unncecessary number of kitchen cupboards, 4 inbuilt cupboards, shelves, small pieces of furniture, few chests of drawers, two desks, a table, 3 coffee tables going under each other, 2 book shelves and nothing really is on the floor.....here is a loft and a shed but there were rats in the loft, so thankfully I did not put anything there

Jumpingthruhoops · 23/09/2025 19:10

BlueJuniper94 · 23/09/2025 18:56

Because they tend not to live there... that's simply it

Not true at all. I've been told my home is like a 'show home'. Trick is to tidy as you go and have lots of organisational storage UPSTAIRS!

FriedFalafels · 23/09/2025 19:08

I’d say I’m somewhere in between the two. We have a very low amount of stuff so it can quickly be tidied away as needed if expecting visitors. Otherwise it’s the lived in look 95% of the time

Someonelookedatmypostinghistorysoichanged · 23/09/2025 19:07

Style changes through the years.
Go with what you like.. simple. Why be anything else,

LavenderBlue19 · 23/09/2025 19:07

Why would you want empty drawers? Isn't that rather pointless?

A house that looks like no-one lives there sounds desperately sad to me.

Deeprug · 23/09/2025 19:05

I just don't have any stuff!! I love getting rid of everything. Ive moved house a ridiculous amount of times and decided to get rid of things rather than constantly lugging them around. I also love clearing things out. Sometimes I think it's cos I secretly think I'm going to lose my lovely home so I need to get rid of my stuff to be ready. Im also getting older and realise there's stuff I just never use.

However...I'm trying to create a home as you describe, op. Lovely prints, plants, objects and I'm finding it really difficult. Perhaps I just have no sense of style or taste!

InterIgnis · 23/09/2025 19:02

A basement. My ‘style’ is the same as yours, so not executive, but anything that I need to store goes in a room in the basement.

TinyTempest · 23/09/2025 18:58

Lots of cupboards, a large shed and a boarded loft.

BlueJuniper94 · 23/09/2025 18:56

Because they tend not to live there... that's simply it

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