Home Rules You (Maybe) Don’t Need to Follow

There are certain rules in life that have, over time, fallen by the wayside. For example, the notion that a lady must always wear a hat and pantyhose. Those two requirements are now the property of Easter and the royal family. What about calling cards? They were a cute idea, but also gone.

We have a plethora of “musts” when it comes to our homes as well, but then again, maybe we don’t. Here are a few old school home rules we can choose to opt out of, or opt in, depending on what suits our lives.

Fine China

By age 30, I had four complete sets of dishes, two of which were china. Then, I divorced and moved from a large house to a small apartment. I kept a set of plain white dishes and let the rest go. To my amazement, I didn’t miss my china. It’s definitely a home “must have” that you can take or leave.

Guest Rooms

In a perfect world, I would have a room just for guests, with a neatly made bed, soft curtains and a fun rug. And in a house filled with children, chaos, toys and messy dishes, it’s always nice to have one room that stays somewhat orderly and clean. But I work at home. And I need a room to make that happen, and said room isn’t big enough for an office and a bed. Sometimes, our need for a workable space, playroom or home gym outweighs our need for an infrequently-used guest room. Don’t feel guilty about letting that home rule go.

Formal Barware

Most of us have standard glassware, like lowballs and wine glasses. I’m pretty sure I have a cocktail shaker somewhere in my laundry closet. But when it comes to building a bar (or bar cart), it’s all about your lifestyle. If you’re a person who prides yourself on stocking your home with the five basic spirits, then bitters, citrus peelers and ice buckets are for you. If you’re more likely to spend your Friday night digging a toy out of the garbage disposal and pouring box wine into a water glass, you’re allowed to forgo the “must haves” for formal barware.

Formal Dining Room

Like guest rooms, this is a space you don’t necessarily need. I personally love having a formal dining room. It’s a nice flex space for extra dinner seating, homework, art projects or game night. I also added a half wall of bookshelves, so it serves as a library as well. But dining rooms can also become dens or game rooms. Our homes should meet our needs, and at the end of the day, you’re allowed to let your formal dining room go in favor of something that works better for you and your family.

Color Coordinated Towels and Sheets

Are they lovely? Yes. Do we need them? Maybe not. My mother made the switch to all white towels, and all white sheets, and on washing day she dumps them all in together and pours in the bleach. I must confess, these days I find myself caring less about whether the kids’ turquoise towels get mixed up with the navy master bath towels. Matching sets of towels (or sheets) are allowed to go by the wayside if we need a no-fuss-no-muss approach to laundry day.

Silver

Let’s face it, Martha Stewart would never have a Christmas dinner party and forgo place settings of silver. My own mother has a few pieces of silver from her great-aunt, and while not Martha Stewart level, they are beautiful with intricate floral patterns, and I look forward to seeing them every few holidays. This “must have” falls into a category similar to china. Do you enjoy creating centerpieces and hosting dinners? Then silver may be for you. If you care a little bit less about formal living, don’t feel bad about bypassing the quest to collect silver. Your Target flatware will easily do the trick.

At the end of the day, to each his own. For example, most people don’t use a butter dish. I use mine religiously. On the other hand, I’ve never touched my InstaPot, but I have friends who use theirs almost every night of the week. It’s important to remember that home rules are only musts if we need, like and enjoy them. If not, they’re simply fussy rules that should go along the wayside with calling cards and pantyhose.

Meet the author

A little about Liz Harrell

Elizabeth Harrell is an author, freelance writer, and lives in Conway. Her book, My (not so) Storybook Life, was published in 2011. Her blog projects and articles have been featured in At Home Arkansas, Apartment Therapy, Better Homes and Gardens, Design Sponge, and here on Only in Arkansas. Visit her at https://elizabeth-harrell.com