Everyone is different. I have a large house that many people would consider attractive (and outside the price range of the vast majority of Americans) and I can't wait for my kids to grow up and get out of here so we can downsize. I'm an apartment/condo person at heart. I always enjoyed renting, living in smaller spaces in luxury, large buildings in great locations. Now, I have to drive instead of walk to the grocery store, I have to contract out a million different little things on the house (fix the roof, caulk the windows, stain the deck, fix the A/C, etc. etc.). Drives me insane. Just 10 more years and apartment here I come!! lol

I agree that your living space can add or subtract from your happiness. I definitely get a sense of joy by my home being furnished and decorated a certain way. However, true happiness requires much more than a beautiful home. The happiest years of my life were not when I was living in the nicest houses I’ve lived in.

Anonymous wrote:Material possessions never make one truly happy.

Keep telling yourself that.

Anonymous wrote:Material possessions never make one truly happy.

This is true.

That said, there is definitely psychology and science backing all the decluttering and Kon Mari stuff, plus psychology of design, smell and color. So while your house doesn’t have to be big, expensive, or Pinterest-y, a living space that is organized and clean is proven to give you a dose of happy brain chemicals, as is a space with colors and scents that you like.

"Wherever you go, there you are."

I think things like houses can add or detract from your happiness level. But if you're unhappy to begin with, for whatever reason, a nice house isn't going to magically fix that.

The pandemic made me decide to spend money on the things in my house that make us comfortable in it -- if there were aspects I was sick of, furniture that needed improving, items I was tired of "making do" with, things I'd always found ugly, I replaced them. (I discovered Wayfair -- not great for my bank account ) But I realized the space is the right amount and that was good.

We started this right before the pandemic and accelerated it while home. I love our house now and it makes me happy to be there. Painting so we gave a more soothing color palette and neutral furniture makes me content.

I live in a house that is over 100 years old. We bought it with the intention of renovating it. Nothing over the top, but nice and cozy. As soon as we moved in, my husband quit his job (he had a trust fund) and will not allow us to put one penny into it. It is an absolute dump and I am filled with resentment toward my husband every single day. We cannote entertain and my kids won't have friends over. A nice house would have helped a lot. A nasty house is not good for us at all.

The pandemic made me decide to spend money on the things in my house that make us comfortable in it -- if there were aspects I was sick of, furniture that needed improving, items I was tired of "making do" with, things I'd always found ugly, I replaced them. (I discovered Wayfair -- not great for my bank account ) But I realized the space is the right amount and that was good.

Op here — I love houses and interior design and my house is pretty gorgeous. When we moved to this city, I said “ I want to live in only this street,” and so we rented there. Then my favorite house on the street went up for sale and here we are.

However, I do have a tendency to blame things on houses and to look for excuses to move. It’s sad! It’s like I love houses so much that I expect too much from them or something and then I get disappointed.

i love my house. it is large and cosy at the same time and it is a lucky house for us.

Having a gorgeous house won’t fix your problems but I agree that an uncluttered, well designed space that is visually pleasing and functional can feel like a haven. We moved recently and as the clutter leaves each room and the furniture arrives I feel more relaxed.

Material possessions never make one truly happy.

DH wants to move to have more land. I hate all the "gorgeous" homes that don't seem to have been designed for real families to spend time together - I just can't imagine functioning in those spaces.

For me it is being able to welcome my friends and loved ones into a clean, peaceful and comfortable space.

That make me happy.

I don't think that one thing alone makes anyone happy, especially if the rest of your life is a mess. But if all is well, it compliments things.