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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
BlueJuniper94 · 23/09/2025 18:56

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

TinyTempest · 23/09/2025 18:58

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

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.

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!

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.

Someonelookedatmypostinghistorysoichanged · 23/09/2025 19:07

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

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

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!

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

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.

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.”

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.

LadydeBathe · 23/09/2025 19:25

Lots of storage is the answer. And regular decluttering. I often have a huge purge when my husband goes away for work as he has hoarding tendencies.

We live in a really old house but ‘cottage charm’ is anathema to me. The kitchen in particular has absolutely no clutter or ‘stuff’ on work surfaces. The only things that are displayed are for aesthetic purposes. There are always fresh lemons and limes in a big bowl. There’s usually a bunch of flowers (almost always white) and a candle burning. So, it might look a bit posed, but it’s very much a working kitchen that’s cooked in every single day - it’s just there is a place for everything to be concealed when not in use.

BellaBallerina2 · 23/09/2025 19:26

I would not say my house is an executive style house at all. I have art on the walls, books in bookcases so maybe I don’t qualify, but people always comment that my house is very tidy and uncluttered (not clean 😅). I simply love throwing things out. I can probably count on one hand things I am sentimentally attached to. I love a full bin!

jonthebatiste · 23/09/2025 19:35

We're not executive style (!), plenty of art, plants and books. But it's always clean, tidy and ready for guests because I abhor "stuff". It costs money, takes time to buy/store/keep clean/tidy away/dispose of, fills landfill. We just don't buy things we don't need, and we make sure that whatever we do buy will have a home. I have zero interest wasting my time on "stuff". I'd rather be on MN Grin

Bippybop · 23/09/2025 19:41

I have what i call an empty look.
I hate clutter and crap im not using.
Kitchen= just a kettle on show small f/f, cooker washer dryer kitchen storage cupboard 4 shelves in there only use 2 bog roll and washing pods.
Bedroom 1 shelf, king bed ,hanging rail for clothes.
Living room 3 stylish chairs, coffee table small corner desk pc and printer pot plant 6 books pen pot.
Funky nets in all windows.
3 cupboards and 2 drawers used in the kitchen rest are empty 4 plate cups etc.
2 pots 1 pan 1 wok.
Bedding i only have 2 sets 1 on 1 off.
Bathroom 3 shelves in the corner with only what i use on it not very much.
Spare room a king bed & side table empty hanging rail.
Every room painted white dark wood flooring.
And mop and bucket & brush.
10 outfits 4 sets of pjs 4 pairs of shoes about 40 pairs of knickers about 15 pairs of socks.
Back pack. laptop, phone ,4 chargers and keys.
Shoe box of photos in the loft.
2 tower fans.
The end.

MyElatedUmberFinch · 23/09/2025 19:45

On bookcases, in drawers and cupboards.

RobinTheCavewoman · 23/09/2025 19:48

I read lots but by kindle.
I had artwork but it went mouldy in storage.
I had candles but they trigger the DC asthma.
I do have plants everywhere.
I am lucky to have a garage that is treated like a massive cupboard (tent, stationery, board games, bodyboard, piano)

Nestingbirds · 23/09/2025 19:48

I have always been comfortable with the Scandinavian style and simplicity. I use and buy only natural products, and whilst the walls are covered in art and gentle lighting warms the room, candles and an open fire, there is very little on the surfaces. Apart from candles, plants and the odd well chosen statue or sculpture.

Anything that requires storing - or ski wear and sports equipment have their own cupboards, and are organised. I find it deeply relaxing. That’s why I spend my time ensuring it stays that way. It’s very easy once organised to stay on top of it. Seasonal spring cleans.

Muffinmam · 23/09/2025 19:51

My house isn’t a show home. But my sister in law bought a display home that was filled with display furniture and other than paying for extremely expensive landscaping and redecorating her child’s room she left it exactly as it came. Even the generic photographic prints stayed on the walls. It would have been the first thing I would have changed.

She later moved and bought a brand new house and has decorated it and it looks like no one lives there. It’s not pleasant to be in her house. There’s furniture but it just feels so empty. She’s constantly worried about people messing up the space and it’s really uncomfortable being in it. She made my child sit on an old chair at the dining table completely away from all of their cousins at the kitchen island because the kitchen island had new chairs. It was really sad.

There’s no books or art or anything that reveals any personality. Just white walls and modern furniture.

In respect to where she stores her stuff - there is a lot of in built storage. So much that she doesn’t use it all.

Dymaxion · 23/09/2025 19:57

If the show you mean is Shameless, then yes !

MonkeyTennis34 · 23/09/2025 19:58

The “show home” look is soulless, austere and devoid of life and love IMO.
I like my home to have a bit of heart.

Plastictreees · 23/09/2025 20:09

Good storage and regular cleaning / tidying!

WinterFrogs · 23/09/2025 20:33

The soulless house comments interest me, because I have a lot of projects and hobbies but some happen outside - walking, volunteering with rescued horses, currently getting to grips with reclaiming some overgrown land. At home I like nothing better than sitting and reading, or learning new skills online. So I am at my happiest when my home is a relaxing and fairly minimalist space ( constant work in progress but 'stuff' does nothing for me really) I read on kindle or buy books then pass them on, so my home doesn't really reflect much about my interests.

Anyway @WorkerBee123 I imagine the trick is to have storage so that essentials like the ironing board and vacuum cleaner can be stowed away, and not have too much of anything else

TattooStan · 23/09/2025 20:36

Our house doesn't look like the one you've described, but it's very tidy and we don't have any clutter on any sides, or anything stored underneath beds and so on.

I declutter relentlessly. I try not to buy much, but somehow stuff just accumulates, so I'm always filling a bag to take to charity or the tip.

We also just have a lot of space - 4 double bedrooms between 2 of us - so no one room needs a huge amount in it.