Why do some people like clutter, and others don't?

Question

My husband and I prefer to have a basic, clean, plain home, while my mother-in-law prefers to have knick knacks on every available surface. Every time we visit her home, we feel as though the rooms have closed in, because of the addition of more and more clutter. When she visits us, she tells us our coffee table needs books, framed pictures, etc. Does anyone know why people have such different feelings about clutter?

RJ- just in case you check back...

The sentimental items are certainly part of my MIL's clutter, but she's also always got several new things around, especially from mail order catalogs, like plastic chickens that wear holiday themed outfits, dogs that are battery operated to look like they are digging into the yard (but inside), glass paperweights with assorted shapes inside... allllll sorts of decorations, not your usual sentimental type items...

Answer 1

I wish I knew! I have the same issue but it's with my boyfriend. He's a big fan of having "stuff" around and I like to have the counters and tables pretty much spotless or at least organized.

I think it just has to do with the memories attached to things. Your MIL probably has a lot of good memories behind the stuff she has up. I would say that next time you're over there, try to think of her house as a living museum of her life--I bet there's a story behind everything she has. To each her own, right?

Answer 2

My mom died 7 years ago and I'm still getting rid of knick knacks. It's work to go through things and see what's really a treasure, so I put things in boxes and let them sit. Some friends say my house is still cluttered, and that I should just throw everything out, but I'm working on it poco a poco. I'm also finding funny little notes she kept that I wrote when I was little, etc.
Hopefully by the end of this month, I'll have my house only slightly more decorated than stark modern. Dusting all the stuff is a pain.
I think as for your maw in law, collecting is a hobby for her, as it is for many people, and she's not going to change.

Answer 3

I think some people have an image on whether the more stuff you have the better it looks. There are others such as myself that believe less is more. We tend to watch too much of the HGTV but in reality thats what we like. There are a few things to make your house feel more home like rather than books just to have books. Look into cute themed objects. Like a vase with flowers something that adds more without being bland or overcrowded with "junk"

Answer 4

I will start with a example : if you see the fingures in your hand all are of different size in the same way God also created all persons differently every person has his/ her own taste. So i will suggest you when you go to your in laws house just ignore the surroundings see the good things inside your mother- in- laws heart you will start loving her and the home.

Answer 5

Taste has some thing to do with it, but if they are getting older it has more to do with memories and accumulation of things.Did you ever hear the saying " the one with the most marbles wins " People become attached to material things,buying new things is just a way to spend time, shopping is a hobby for some people.

Answer 6

Isn't it wonderful what a variety of personality's we have?Living would be so boring if we all liked the same things and tried to all be the same.That is just the way life is ;I find it so interesting and fascinating to talk with different people to get their opinion on life .

Answer 7

I guess it's just a matter of personal taste. I, for one, don't like a lot of clutter or knickknacks, or lots of furniture in one room. It feels too fussy and claustrophobic. I also can't stand it if stuff is laying around where it shouldn't be. Neat freak is my middle name.