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

[Spicegirl1234]

I love homes that are full of personality, stuff picked up around the world in trips, fleamarket finds, family objects, homes that are not perfect but keep your eyes “busy” when looking and fully reflect the life of people that live within them and make you feel warm when you go in.
I very rarely come across such homes, the majority of the ones I see (in RL and online) tend to be very boring with no personality whatsoever and people mainly seem to be focussed on buying the biggest possible places with their money and then upgrading/extending etc rather than enjoying what they have and make it “theirs”.
Does anyone else feel this way about home decor?

My home is not minimalist but I can appreciate that look. I like lots of different styles . But

Sounds gorgeous, I wish I could be minimalist.

I do have objects picked up during travels, art and little things people give me but I balance it by not having big rugs or curtains etc so the textiles are a least minimal. I love clean hardwood floors 😍

My home has things, but not clutter.

I go between thinking that having things around me is what I like, to wondering if I'd prefer a more minimalist look?

I realised a long time ago that everyone's home is personal and not necessarily something to be understood.

This sounds like tasteful minimalism, the wooden frames, bold colours, art etc. I don't think it sounds soulless at all.

I'm talking about the houses on Rightmove that have grey carpets, grey walls etc, no colour anywhere.

Well if you think about it logically, 'minimalist' will be the default, simply because ...if you don't do anything... A space will naturally be empty.
I doubt that more people actively adopt a minimalist style as an aesthetic choice as opposed to those who CBA.
Also if you have pets, children etc a lot of these objects can be hazards.

I also think that as @Almostwelsh pointed out it takes a degree of artistic talent to decorate in a maximalist style without looking like someone just chucked a load of random stuff together cos they have nowhere to put it all.

Surely it's up to the individual home owners to style their own house to their individual taste...no?
Although I like a few carefully chosen pieces of art and family pics etc., I'm sure you would find my home 'soulless'. It's not because I lack imagination or haven't considered the possibility that I could fit more stuff in. It's because this is what I like! The idea of a home that 'keeps my eyes busy' really doesn't appeal to.me. to be honest, it sounds cluttered and awful. But, you know what...it's none of my business! Please don't look down your nose because people like different things to you. I don't like the shiny/crushed velvet/grey aesthetic, but I don't judge, because people should feel joyful in their homes.
Also, the UK has generally quite small homes and wet weather, so too right people often prioritise space!

This is a very interesting discussion OP and it's something I think about frequently.

We live in a modestly scaled 180 year old farmhouse. It was totally derelict & without a roof or doors or windows when we bought it in our v early 30s & we've spent a long time slowly renovating it as funds allowed.

The house itself has a beautiful calm, peaceful feeling & is filled with light.

When we first moved in 20 years ago we painted it all white. We used farrow & ball matt soft white & it gave a beautiful chalky finish which we adored.

Over the years we've redone all the rooms & we've added colour to them all. Mostly soft muted shades but in some rooms stronger colours. All still f&b matt finish.

We have books in every room & many bookcases as reading is an obsession for us. And we have a lot of artwork hanging- all originals. We travel a lot & have small objects bought in different places - I bought by small ceramics in Sweden from a the design museum, made by a local artist. We have antique silver candlesticks from Italy, an antique magnifying glass from Paris etc these things have a special significance to us and when i look at them they bring joy to my heart & bring me back to the day / trip when they were bought. None of them are generic 'souvenirs' from holiday destinations (not that that matters to me if that's what anyone else loves & collects)

I, personally, could not live in a minimalist grey / white / beige modern new build. I see why they appeal but it's just not for us.

Our furniture is a mix of inherited pieces, antiques, ikea & custom made. We have things from both of our grandparents in our house - so great grandparents for our dc & a couple of things are valuable so we'd never ever sell & will pass them to our dc. I really love that continuity.

Some days I think I'd like a bigger kitchen but the rest of the house is a good size so we're mainly v content with what we've got.

I would love to have an individual, quirky, beautiful, colourful home but I just don’t have the skill/artistry to pull off that look and, imo, it’s better (or at least more affordable!) to play it safe than be brave and risk making an expensive mistake. I suspect I’m not alone in that!

I know 3 or 4 people with stunning homes, which have been decorated bit by bit, and on a budget. They could feature in magazines and I admire them immensely but also recognise that they are all artistic creative people with a great eye for what works together.

I’ve found that filling my home with plants and flowers works a treat for making it feel cosy and lived in, yet calming. Oh, and the cat of course 😉

It’s the implicit assumption that a house that isn’t full of objects is boring and the explicit assumption that it’s soulless, which is irritating.

There isn’t a right or wrong way. There’s what you can afford and what makes you feel happy and comfortable, whether it’s got surfaces full of things or clear spaces.

Wondering if you bought the house with the green deco bathroom in W. London that I viewed (a semi).

haha! no not green, and not London- but on the south coast. Its a lovely marbled teal blue shade 😁

My house is nice enough when it’s all tidied up but it’s the type of house that you’re happy to have a coffee and a crumbly pastry in without worrying if you spill your drink or stop crumbs. Everything in it is specifically for our taste but it doesn’t follow any sort of design pattern.

I wish we could see pictures of all these houses! I absolutely love looking at interiors & find them endlessly interesting. It's the myriad ways people approach filling a once empty space- such a reflection on so many approaches to the same task!

I like little bits of glassware
Ashtrays with inscriptions
Plastic things on pencils
Bits of mass production
Postcards, pretty pictures
Little bits of plastic
Covering up the bedroom
To show you I´ve been there

I wish we could see pictures too!!
I loved looking at WitchyBits!
I really love looking inside homes!
Not brave enough to post mine as it will be too outing, loads of school mums I know use mumsnet who have been inside my house. I don't want them knowing what I post about on mumsnet!

Surely it's up to the individual home owners to style their own house to their individual taste...no?

id have assumed so too, not they should decorate to the ops taste, although I understand she appears to think people should or she will judge them.

now there is a thread with people either showing off or slagging each others taste off.

naice.

I think that sounds gorgeous.

I wish I could decide on a style and stick to it. I have so many clashing style likes (minimalist and calm, colourful and interesting, modern, New England, English country cottage), it drives me mad trying to do Pinterest boards, I need half a dozen homes to accommodate the different styles. I plan on downsizing from a family home to a modern apartment (or small bungalow) and I’m going to have to be more decisive, otherwise it’ll end up an ‘eclectic’ mess lol.

I agree with poster. People seem to buy a " look" does nothing for me and I find it so boring, give me a home which shows a life lived and interesting "stuff"

I don’t like clutter.

I don’t like clinical.

There’s a balance to be found.

I agree with those who don't like clutter. What concerns me more about housing is how many are more concerned about making money on property.

All these people pretending not to be judged but being very judgemental to you. Yes I hate homes without personality , they scream serial killer. I'd rather dislike your taste of individual decor than think you don't have any personality

What, why, it’s a massive investment, likely the biggest you will ever make, it will possibly support your retirement, likely be your kids inheritance, something you spend yout hard earned on maintaining and improving. would you not be interested in if you’re making money or not. You’d have to be off your rocker to not care.

A lot of modern kitchens look like operating theatres, completely clear with an island that looks like an operating table.

Surely being a serial killer is a whole personality though?!