AIBU to be embarrassed and not have friends over?

[Pinkwithwhite]

We have been in our house a while but we haven't had the money to decorate. I would really like to have my friends over but I'm too embarrassed.
There aren't any skirting boards, the people who lived here before started painting and made a mess (paint on the ceiling, banister around the window).
It's not homely, we don't have a rug, pictures on the wall, the curtains we have don't match the cushions. We have nice sofas and that's it really.
Honestly hand on heart when you go to a friend's house do you think about their home after? Would you judge me? Or AIBU and they won't care?

I'd say you're not being unreasonable to feel as you do (housebarrassment) because I would too. BUT if I went to a friend who was in the same situation, I wouldn't give two hoots. I think we generally judge ourselves much more harshly than we do our friends.

@Maxdazzle you are my spiritual sister. I love being invited to other people's houses and I don't care about the decor. We have lived in.our unfinished project for 17 years. I am untidy and he is useless at DIY but it is hygienic. I only invite a couple of very close friends and I do get embarrassed.
We are just about to separate and the money battles are starting . My soon to be ex sister in law ,who I did get on well with, told me if she came to view my house she would walk right out again in a heartbeat ! Not only was she very rude she did not understand some buyers have the ability to see past clutter/ decoration and visualise what they could do with the house. Strangely it all seems to be my fault no blame on brother of course. Relax OP. In my experience real friends will not pay much attention and will only remember what a good night they had !

I usually surreptitiously take photos with my mobile as we wander round, sneak off to the bathroom, then upload all the images to Facebook.

Just kidding. Honestly couldn't give a shit. I come to see the people not the house. If you find yourself being judged, it's probably time to find yourself some new friends.

Just tell them it’s the shabby, shabby chic look. A la French aging gite. All the rage these days, darling.
It’s what I do!

If your friends judge you then they're not friends! It's not about your house, it's about your company! When my children were younger we lived in a house with no carpets, rotten windows, second hand furniture and no skirtings. It took ten years to do it up and sell it - then we started again 😂
Now I'm single and sliding plodding through and repairing a mouldy house. If my friends don't like my home they wouldn't get invited back!

As long as its clean I wouldnt care. I'm there to see you not your home

If they are true friends, they’re coming to see you and not your house. I have friends whose homes are not unlike yours. However, the welcome and how they treat everyone explains why their homes are never empty.

Well I've done it. They came over this morning. They seemed comfortable and stayed for a few hours so I hope that means they were comfortable.

If I waited until I decorated the house I’d never have anyone over. As it is I love having friends over (by arrangement or invitation, not just dropping in for 4 hours) and my home is always full of my kids friends, who don’t care what the place looks like as long as there are biscuits in the cupboard and a decent football in the garden.

I don't think I've ever noticed someone's skirting boards

Most important question; is there somewhere to sit (and wine!)

No wine as we all have babies and it 10 in the morning 😂