Do you update your house?

[MissCommando]

My mum fell out with a friend a good few years ago. Anyway, they recently bumped into each other and are friendly again. She invited my mum round and literally everything was the same as it was years ago - same rug, ornaments, curtains, cushions, pics on the wall, (even the same bedding!). My mum didn't really like it as she said it was like stepping back in time and found it depressing.

My mum's friend had a nasty divorce from her husband so I can't believe she hasn't changed the house in any way at all (I'd want to change everything).

So my question is, do you buy new mirrors, rugs, ornaments etc every now and again to update your house? I'd feel very down if I thought my house would look exactly like this in 10 years time lol

[NoMercy]

I regularly update and move things around.

I am waiting on delivery of a new sofa and dressing table.

[NOX]

Yes and no, I buy things I like, items of quality often antique so I tend to keep those, but obviously I add to them and change them periodically. For the last few years I've been in a stark contrast mode where I have very modern things stuck right next to something antique, so yes my sofa is less than 18 months old, but there are things I've had for the last 20 years right next to it.

[seadogg]

Think some of us would get on well with Mum's friend. Why buy a new mirror to see the same old fizog looking back at you?

[jno]

sometimes people emerge from divorces without a lot of money

[mumsie_wumsie]

I live with what I am comfortable with. If I get fed up with something I change it. However, I would like lots of new things in my house, but money is tight, so have to live with it----for now !!!!!

[jno]

oh well, just to answer your question - no, I don't update much. Buy new things occasionally if I think they look better than what I've got; repaint and repair as needed. But I haven't changed all that much myself in 10 years, so no need to reinvent my home.

[RATTER15]

No I dont think we update but we do chuck out the old if it is looking tatty or worn and we do bring new things into the home, I love the way our home is, down to earth, it will never sparkle and gleam (thank you dogs) Carakeel will just blame me I know!:) but we do have a lovely relaxed and lived in kind of home, the dogs love it as well, and one day they will let us share that expensive leather suite that we bought last year :)

[ummmm]

Updating isn't cheap. But yes, I change bits and bobs.

I'm going for a big change shortly :-)

[MissCommando]

jno - you can get bits and bobs at really reasonable prices in say, Matalan so I don't agree with that

[rowanwitch]

always changing things...spot some nice fabric in the ragmarket suddenlty new cushions appear have been known to paint vases and change wall colours on a whim... cos I'm bored.... only been in the place since april and already I'm twitching...

[woofgang]

I replace worn out but don't update for the sake of it. I like the way my house is.

[China Doll]

I think I'm probably a bit like woofgang actually, I wouldn't update just because fashions change or anything, more likely to update if something was looking a bit worn.

[jno]

depends if you like what Matalan has, MissC. The only reason for updating anything is that you like something more than what you've already got and you can afford it.

She might have decided, for instance, that her house has already changed dramatically enough because it no longer has an unwanted man in it.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't waste money on new when the existing is still functional. Sounds a wicked waste to me. My good taste won't change in a mere decade anyway.

[EcclesCake]

Our home evolves, we'll replace furniture as and when required. With the exception of the kitchen or bathroom we don't rip out the old and replace with all new in the 'Changing Rooms' style.

[zebo]

Slightly off the subject, but how many people change their Christmas decs every year, to reflect the current trend? We have some over 60 years old, not mine I add, and I can't believe that normal people buy everything new or am I just tight?

[jno]

same with decorations as anything else: if you see something new that's better than what you already have, by all means buy it. That is presumably what your forefathers did 60 years ago, after all.

[Old_Geezer]

Not the ones I knew. My forefathers used to pull out the same box each year. Not saying it didn't get added to occassionally, or breakages replaced, but to an extent the older the better when it comes to "traditional stuff".

[cazzz1975]

I only replace things when they are knackered, its cheaper