Time to Cast Away Women’s Décor Standards

Time to Cast Away Women’s Décor Standards

In the past, photos of men’s apartments have sparked a lot of laughter and commentary. Some of these photos have spawned various memes, with captions like “Men really think it’s okay to live like this”. One of the images depicted a starkly simple living space, with minimal furniture, and an overall basic feel.

Upon first glance, it might seem like an unfinished, impersonal room. But on further thought, why can’t women live like this too?

For too long, women have been held to high standards when it comes to how we should present our homes. We’re expected to embody the image of a “successful housewife” with a perfectly curated space, neat furniture, and items that reflect societal notions of femininity. The truth is, we’ve been conditioned to believe that we must present our living spaces in a way that aligns with these expectations. This means constantly sweeping, mopping, and tidying up—even if we don’t actually want to. We’re not advocating for living in squalor, but rather questioning why so many of us have been made to obsess over every detail, often sacrificing the limited time we have after work or raising children just to meet these standards.

Men, on the other hand, are allowed to live simply, with minimal furniture—a chair, table, and computer—and their spaces are often seen as practical rather than messy or incomplete. Why shouldn’t we have the same freedom? It’s not just the beauty and makeup industries that push unnecessary spending on us; the world of interior design, with its focus on specific tables, curtains, and decorative items, is just another industry pulling away our time and money. These standards not only force us into spending unnecessarily, but they take away from the time we could be using to focus on our own independence.

We understand that some women enjoy decorating and creating a beautiful home, and there’s nothing wrong with that. However, the reality is that many women are socially conditioned to accumulate things simply to compete within the patriarchal system, or out of a fear of judgment. We need to ask ourselves: is buying this décor something we truly want, or is it an imposed need driven by expectations?

Additionally, it’s important to consider the costs involved. “Luxury furniture” can be thousands of dollars more expensive than a simple table that serves the exact same purpose. The markup on items just because they’re branded or considered fashionable only adds to the pressure to buy things we don’t truly need. We’ve been conditioned to believe that certain pieces are essential to our homes, but in reality, the function of a simple table or chair can often be just as effective, without the hefty price tag. Why spend money on something that doesn’t bring true value or comfort to our lives?

How many times have women apologized to visitors for a small mess or the look of their house, even when it is in fine condition? Why do we feel compelled to meet these perfectionist standards? Just like we shouldn’t feel insecure about our natural faces, we shouldn’t stress over whether we have the most ideal curtains, chairs, or tables, or whether our house is spotless. If we let go of these expectations, it becomes much easier to live independently without the need for validation through material possessions.

The harmful standards imposed on women extend beyond our bodies—they’re applied to our living spaces as well. Let’s cast these standards aside and choose comfort, independence, and authenticity over the constant pressure to perform. By embracing simplicity and rejecting unnecessary expectations, we can truly begin to live on our own terms. ♀