Feel so embarrassed about how my home looks

[pinkfishbluefish]

After hours of trawling Rightmove I feel nothing but disheartened!

We live on a nice street in a safe area. We’re renting at the moment, hoping to both buy a home and possibly TTC next year. Whilst cleaning up today I came to the conclusion that literally nothing matches in our house. We have a black leather sofa that was bought second hand, grey patterned carpet here when we moved in, modern sideboard that is navy with oak effect (the only thing we purchased new) and TV on the wall. The carpet is the worst thing. There is no underlay underneath and it is clearly a very cheap one, so is rough underfoot.

My friends were over for dinner last week. Two of them had not been before and I felt very embarrassed as they came in and looked around. I am aware this is shallow of me and that lots of people live in worse situations. We are extremely fortunate to have a roof over our heads that we can afford, with no damp, courteous neighbours and modern features like a brand new bath and walk in shower. The whole bathroom was refit before we moved in. All our kitchen appliances work.

It is generally comfortable and this is a huge privilege. Despite knowing this, every time I walk into a room and notice things not matching I feel colossal levels of stress. I don’t even know where to start to make it look better, either.

Do your homes match or have tasteful decor? I feel like ours does not feel homely in the slightest. I appreciate I might be too subjective in this and this is not a forever home.

My home doesn't match. My white goods are white, black and sliver.

The only two matching rooms are my sons bedrooms because it's all white.

Find a black, grey and navy rug to tie it all together.

personally I would hate a matching house.

Do you have plants around and pictures up? Side lamps for nice relaxing light? Can you get matching throw and cushions to put on the sofa? You could put a rug over the carpet if it's that bad.

I don't have a matchy matchy home, but it looks good (imo) cuz of the above..

Posted to soon.
Most of our furniture is second hand, either from family or junk shops. We choose to have it this way.

Absolutely nothing matches here. The best I can do is two matching but not identical seat pads. I would concentrate on making it feel comfortable and homely, clean and tidy. That’s far more welcoming and nice to be in than a show home.

@NeedToKnow101 we’ve got a small rug but I think I will invest in a bigger one.

I almost feel like I’ve failed at adulting. If I’ve not got a perfect house before kids, I will just never have one, will I? Ha ha

Mine's a mess and I couldn't care less. It's my home and to me, it's comfortable. I do understand what you mean though.

You have a good attitude to it. I wish I could be more like you. Normally it doesn’t bother me but I think it hits me at the weekend when I’m not busy with work.

Could you paint your navy sideboard?

Check out Frenchic furniture paint. They have a Facebook page where people have painted lots of things in a room to pull it together.

I’m definitely grown up with grown up kids and I’m still embarrassed about my home
I hardly ever invite people round. tonight a good friend and her husband are due here after inviting themselves!

I know what you are saying, but I agree with other posters suggesting you get some throws/cushions to tie it together. A couple of candles, or pots, or something. Try B&M or Home Bargains for cheap accessories.

Facebook Marketplace can be good too. I think you can add a bit of style even if you are stuck with dull unmatched furniture and furnishings.

And me. Mrs Hinch all over. No character

your friends will just remember the welcome and your hospitality.

I have never had a matching colour co ordinated furniture or decor and I’m in my 60’s. Just never had inclination ( or money ) And as a cat owner it really would be a total waste of money to buy anything nice.
most furniture given to me and I have been grateful for it. Very few of my friends and acquaintances have House Beautiful interiors.

My whole house is a riot of colour with nothing matching. I have old furniture that I've painted in whatever design I've felt like at the time. I've an old 2 seater sofa in blue, and 2 poang chairs in black, with electric pink silk quilted throws over the backs. A huge mosaic squared rug on top of a cream carpet. Masses of art everywhere, and big, big squashy cushions. I could go on.

My friends come to see me, not my furnishings. If anyone else wants to judge me for it then the door is that---> way.

Don't be fooled by whatever fashion the manufacturers dictate is 'de rigour' this week, as they're just out to take money - YOUR money

Make your style your own. Make it YOU.

Thanks to instagram , you would think that everyone lived in a show home.
I would rather visit somewhere clean, tidy and comfortable than somewhere I was scared of knocking something over.
Neutral colours don't date as quickly as bright colours.
A rug sounds like a good starting point if your carpet is not great.

If you're buying a house soon I wouldn't waste money on things for the rented place. Save as much as you can and start a Pinterest collection of images of rooms/colour schemes/furnishings you like, and start to research stockists and prices. I love doing stuff like that!

I don’t really think matching looks nice - it’s a bit much. For me, a house looks nice with personal touches such as plants, pictures, cushions.

A few plants and lamps make all the difference. Maybe ask for a few prints for the walls for Christmas 🙂

I have nothing new and nothing matches. I pull discordant colours together by using cushions, throws and rugs. I have inherited and been given most of my furniture, lamps, clocks, tables etc. I have old Ercol furniture which I could never have afforded to buy myself. So elegant and timeless. I rent and honestly would not waste money buying new stuff and carpets etc as the house does not belong to me and one month's notice and I can be put out - even though I've been here a decade. I really don't care what other people think of my home inside and have never been "ashamed" of it.

My house is a mish mash of things and that's always going to be my way. Loads of ebay and second hand stuff. Make sure your house is clean and warm enough when people come round and then just own your own style, your character. Some houses are so bland, matching and utterly lacking in individuality, you dont want that.

Our house is a proper mess that desperately needs renovating. Everyone else on our road has lovely extension with wooden floors and full length doors. Our house has stinky dirty carpets and damp and a twenty year old kitchen with the doors falling off. I wouldn't care too much if I could keep it tidy, but it's hard to keep it looking decent and so I'm hardly ever 'ready' for people to come in. I don't think people think it's as bad as it feel though.

I would hate a house that looks like a page out of the Next catalogue, but at the same time it’s harmonious.
So there are maybe five colours in a room, and a vaguely retro/vintage sort of feel rather than super modern.

Id imagine you could tie yours together with a few cushions, a rug and some pictures. Oh and lamps. If you wanted. If you don’t care then that’s fine too!

Frenchic delete any reviews that are less than perfect though.

Besides, op bought the sideboard new so, presumably, that’s the bit of furniture they like.

Save the perfect house until any DC's have at least grown up, & preferably left home.