The other day I stumbled upon an article from Elle Magazine titled, "13 Things a Woman Should Never, EVER Have In Her Home." (Click here for original article) While scrolling through the list, I became furious. Yes, these suggestions are from top designers, but it still felt very degrading. These designers wanted us to have our living spaces "sexy." This includes no decor from sororities or family photos.
What infuriated me the most, was the article made it sound like we are expected to bring men (or women) home on a regular basis. Not only does this objectify women, but now we are asked to have our homes accommodate that. Like our living space should only serve the purpose of setting the mood for the most luxurious sex ever. No. A home should represent you. The mood your home should be setting is the comfort. A home should also be filled with sentimental value. You should not worry if the stuff in your home is childish or not. As long as you like it, that's all that matters. Most of the signs in my room I got from Claire's less than a year ago. Right next to my bed, I have a picture of my dogs, one of me and my grandpa, and a small vision board I made at Pinterest night.
Most of my photos are of me and my friends at several college events. I want to remember those fun nights. If some guy is more interested in one of my friends in the pictures, then he is clearly a jerk, and he can go find her. My friends are way more important than impressing a love interest because they come and go. Last semester I had one of those pillow pets on my bed, and I absolutely loved mine. It was a Winnie the Pooh pillow, and I absolutely loved it. I had to bring him home because I felt bad for taking him off the bed along with my other decorative pillows every night. I still believe that stuffed animals have feelings, and now Pooh is comfortable on my full-size bed at my parent's house.
"A refined woman should have nice linens," okay we should not be defined by our bed sheets. This is ridiculous. Some of us may prefer to spend more money on other things. Honestly, I may still have bedding from PB Teen when I'm 35, and I'm totally cool with that. As long as it's the things that YOU like, that's all that matters. If you bring a guy home, and he's turned off by it, then he's not the one for you. Don't accommodate your home for your sex life, accommodate it to your life as a whole. When I come home, I like to turn on the TV and snuggle in the fleece blanket I made for myself when I was 17. What speaks to you, and what you find comfortable is what will make you feel like a queen. None of that high-end crap that designers suggest, unless that is your actual style, then go for it.
