To be incredibly jealous of friends home?

We bought a new build a few years ago and it’s a lovely house. I am very happy with it

So focus on that then instead of being miserable with your lot and wishing you had stuff that others have.
Talk about taking the joy out of the nice things you already have! Joyless way to live.
Nobody's forcing you to have a "boring" home.
Go on Pinterest or whatever and find some new ideas.
(Not green, you've already shown it's not a good look on you 🙂)

Jealousy is not a 'completely natural emotion'. Feeling envious perhaps, but jealousy?

Being jealous of somebody is inherently spiteful.

So is that you don’t trust your own taste?

I think it’s quite natural to feel envy when we meet someone who is living their own version of self expression in any form , be in in their dress sense , their career , their interior design or anything else.

Oh and ignore your DH! You are allowed what you want in your home.

My friends house on the other hand has so much personality. She has spent ages going to thrift shops and up cycling one of a kind items, hand selecting everything. You would absolutely walk into that house and know it belongs to her and her DP. It reflects their personality so beautifully.

Some people have a flair for this sort of thing. I don't. I just have to live with it. I feel the same as you about DB and partner's house, even their clutter manages to look eclectic and stylish.

I think you need to develop and work out your own sense of style and then update you home. It doesn’t need to stay boring and practical!

Some people do have fabulous taste and I also think confidence. I think you should try and emulate that confidence rather than just be jealous. You can do something about your home.

I would start by buying some magazines and following some interiors accounts for inspiration and then just work though your house a room at a time.

Or you can get a colour consultant in to advise you as a start. I don’t think they are particularly expensive especially if they are from a paint company.

But things like storage don’t have to be boring even if you have young children. We have an old antique trunk (bought very cheaply) for toy storage for example.

If you like antiques - find out if there are any local fairs. Start off by being the odd piece and build from there.

Set yourself up a Pinterest, see what sort of looks take your fancy. I’m not much good at thinking of original ‘looks’ but am quite good at copying a vibe once I see something I like. I then put down the things that I would like in the house on my notes on phone and then have a quick look in charity shops, antique/junk shops or boot fairs for things on the list. It stops it being overwhelming. Safe to say this didn’t happen so much while kids were very young but once they got a bit older and I had more spare cash. Very few people can afford to decorate a whole house in one go, and even if you do- it all dates/ages at the same time. You have a lifetime to do it.

My house is crazy colourful and maximalism eclectic. Most people say they love it, but I’m sure some people are like wtf when they walk in 😂

If your home is working well now leave it as it is !
When the kids get older maybe change it around !
When my 2 were small I had a practical boring house when things wouldn't matter if a bottle of juice was dropped ect ect easy to clean good storage solutions !
Then when they got older I let my creative side come alive and my house was vintage grandma vibes imagine patterned carpets open fires lots of old vintage knik knaks I'd collected !
Then the peri Menopause started and boom I wanted it all gone and now it's all back to calm and neutral and no clutter whatsoever so in different stages u will decorate to suit !!!
My house looks like 3 completely people have lived in it over the years ! If u was to look at old pictures !!

I don’t think that’s how the op comes across. Rather she feels she has perhaps compromised too much and has decor that is practical rather than reflecting her own personality. She has been very complimentary about her friend’s home.

No, plus they produce a very generic ‘interior designer’ look. Lean into your own tastes.

Whenever I feel envious , which I do occasionally, I think about how bloody lucky I am to have a home , paid for now , in reasonable condition for it's age . I don't have expensive things , in fact I get a lot of items from charity shops because I'm on a pension . Your home sounds lovely to me , comfortable and well furnished . Count your blessings .

I've embraced putting out things I already have, holiday souvenirs, game pieces, kids art work, pretty books. I've tried to get prettier/quirkier practical things like lamps, doorstops, cushions, fruit bowl.

For quirky kid friendly, I love the stickers on this website.

I'd immerse yourself a little in interior design content, not to compare but to get ideas. I think just a few vignettes on a mantel piece or shelf can make a big difference.

Look at the importance of scale too.

I think you can absolutely redecorate a room for FAR less than this!

OK. Have it your way

But no one’s making you have a boring house, OP. Think about what you’d like it to look like. Next time you need to repaint a room, choose an interesting colour. They’re not any less ‘sensible’ than dull colours. Strong, saturated colours show up child handprints less than paler ones, for one thing. And you can always make it less dull by hanging interesting things on the walls — buy yourself some art. Check out local auction houses, galleries, art groups that exhibit, your nearest art school degree show etc. We used to live in a house we knew we’d be reselling within a few years so we just painted it white throughout and kept flooring very neutral —all the interest came from what was hanging on the walls and lighting. Good lamps are key. And plants! Hanging plants can be kept away from children.

If you’re thinking about repainting I find Instagram good for decor inspiration and the Farrow & Ball website.

You don't need an interior designer just use chatgpt. You can change a room quite significantly by just a few small changes.

Don’t be ridiculous.
I assume you never complain about anything!

I’m like you and have always been very practical, but have been trying to bring a bit more joy into the house recently and think about what I actually love, not just what is the easiest/ most sensible.
There is a balance though because I know I’d be annoyed if I got something totally impractical and then the kids ruined it.

You can definitely change the feel of a room with some nice wall art, new curtains, cushion covers or more interesting lighting.

oh bore off

I should have thought you'd be pleased that your friend has created a lovely home. Instead you feel jealous. She's not a friend is she? We don't feel jealous and upset about friends' achievements