I want my house to be in harmony with itself and our family. Right now, that means clean(ish), functional and able to welcome small children and their accessories. Maybe someday it'll mean thoughtfully designed and edited, but not at this point in our lives.

I am really into interior design - it is almost like a hobby to me. I have always placed a lot of importance and attention on my home surroundings, so even when I moved into my first dorm room, I was carefully considering my color schemes, purchasing "art" and accessories, etc. Now that I own (or rather, mortgage) a home, I consider interior design my splurge. I don't drive a fancy car or buy expensive clothes, jewelry or purses, but I just dropped $5k on cosmetic improvements to my house to fix things that probably bothered no one but myself. I never put interior design ahead of prudent saving for retirement, college, etc., but since it's something that is important to me, I will spend some $$$ to have my house look the way I want. That said, I don't think I have over-the-top expensive taste. I don't have the time for all the Craigslist bargains and DIY that a pp mentioned (although I love the idea of it), but I can't imagine paying $10k for a couch from Baker's either. I wouldn't hire a decorator because I enjoy doing it myself. And I don't like that "decorated" look. Like a pp said, it's not welcoming. On the other hand, I also don't like it when people's rooms look like a catalogue and you can virtually identify every piece of furniture as coming from Pottery Barn or Crate and Barrel.

I like having a home that is an expression of us. Back when we were more flush, I had two decorator experiences, one terrible and one great. The difference, I think, is that the latter helped us carry out our own vision, whereas I let the former do his own thing. I dislike an obvious "decorator" look; it feels too precious/perfect/OTT. I use magazines for ideas, like to antique shop and incorporate funky found pieces into a room, and enjoy the visual creativity of pulling it all together.

One of my good friends has an amazing talent for interior design. It's just a natural ability and her place is a showplace. Her last condo (very small 1 BR apartment) could have been photographed in a magazine.

Our TH is comfortable. I do at times wish that it was decorated in a bit more sophisticated manner (the couches are 13+ yrs old and sagging, the kitchen table is 20+ yrs old and a little wobbly and now looks old/dated/cheap, etc). Some rooms look really good, others not as much. But, right now I have a preschooler and we're trying to have another. I figure I'll wait to do a bit more until we're done having kids, they are out of the accidental peeing on the couch and possibly wrecking furniture phase. I put up a lot of pictures and other prints that I have bought from our travels - not fantastic decorating, but they make me feel happy and comforted.

We've lived in our house for 13 years, yet we've not yet painted or recarpeted the top floor. Does that give you a hint?

Having real art is important to me. And having a place that has comfortable furniture arranged with a good flow.

We're pretty messy and wish we could get more on top of the clutter and cleaning. But in our PG neighborhood, a lot of our friends have messy, cluttered houses, so the bar is pretty low. That helps!

I struggle with the same thing, OP. Other than paint, and a few pictures on the wall, my house is still a cluttered blank slate. With kids, everything gets destroyed, so why bother? On the other hand, DH wants the house to look nice since we are in a nice neighborhood that screams for a decorator in our house.

One day, if the money is still there after kids are through college, I may decorate. But that might only happen after I downsize to a smaller, cozier home. I much prefer to do family activities and feel some financial security than blow it all on decor that will be destroyed by 3 kids, 2 cats, 2 dogs, and a hubby that does not clean.

singed,
my.house.is.a.cluttered.mess.but.i.am.too.tired.to.care

I'm not overly consumed with making my house "gorgeous" but I do want it to be a comfortable, pleasing space. My couch is older, but everything coordinates and I have spent time finding meaningful artwork (not expensive, but significant to me) and other accessories. I definitely notice when other people live in nice spaces, but I'd rather see their personality than a sterile, "designed" space that reminds me of generic realtor staging. Several of my friends have really good taste and a knack for decoration, but in my circle, I don't think it's the norm.

Very important. I spend most of my time in my house so I want to enjoy it!

Less then zero.

Not at all. My husband's a slob and I have all boys.

Gorgeous is not my style nor in my budget. I do need for my environment to be visually pleasing, though, in order to really be at peace in it. I aim for charming, warm, personal, and inviting. "Gorgeous" sounds more like decorated to impress than to enjoy actually living in.

I have spent a lot of time on our space but relatively little money. I've gotten wonderful pieces on Craig's List and at yard sales. I can pretty much make or refurbish anything and do some general carpentry, so I refinish and reupholster furniture, sew slipcovers and curtains, repurpose old and salvaged materials, etc. I've moved walls in my home, added crown and window moldings, changed light fixtures and done other projects. DH and I have collected some art from area artists and have lots of mementos of trips and family photos. I love old stuff.

It's fun for me, so I indulge. Really though, the most appealing homes are those that reflect their owners and are happily lived in. I remember seeing an interview with Maya Angelou in which she talked about how the walls absorb the feelings and ideas of their inhabitants. (It was one reason why she never let a racist suggestion go unchallenged-- She didn't want it to seep into her walls.)

I could win the lottery and have millions and I still wouldn't hire an interior decorator. It's just not important to me.

I like comfortable furniture that looks good.

We couldn't afford an interior decorator but even if we could, we wouldn't hire one to redecorate our home. I love "looking" at these designed homes in magazines, tv, etc for the eye candy; but to be honest, whenever I'm actually in one I feel uncomfortable.

I can honestly say I'm not jealous or envious, I just feel like I'm sitting in a showroom and not someone's home and it's hard for me to feel at ease in that setting. For me, it's important to create a home that is comfortable for both us and for our friends and family who visit and while I think designer homes can certainly inspire awe and impress people, that's not what I would ever look for in a home--obviously some people need/want their home to do just that.

FWIW, when I go into someone's home my favorite things to look at are their photographs and bookshelves.