# Overly Realistic Showhomes Messy Teenage Bedrooms to Market Real Easte In a More Honest Way By Peter Brown | Published 2009-01-21 | Marketing Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/realistic-showhomes-marketing-homes-in-a-more-honest-way References: [ananova](http://www.ananova.com/news/story/sm_3157240.html) & [dailymail](http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1112982/Slob-builder-The-home-fit-teenage-boy.html) Forget scaled-down furniture, interior decor, flower arrangements and fluffy towels. In a time of downturn in the housing market, one housing developer has turned things around by presenting featured [show homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zillow-virtual-staging) in a more realistic way. Abel Homes recreated a typical teenage boy’s bedroom in one of their new developments. The room includes a messy bed, clothes strewn all over and old training shoes. The look is completed with potato chips trodden into the carpet. Viewers have apparently been a big fan - partly because the approach is unexpected and partly because they value the company’s honest approach. A director of the property developer, Maggie Abel commented: “We wanted to provide a talking point, help people to visualise it as [a family home](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/no-ordinary-house) and give them something to remember the house by. We certainly had fun doing it and people who have looked round have laughed.” “I’ve always found showhomes are a bit bland and unreal, so I thought if we were doing a teenage boy’s room we shouldn’t have it too pristine,” she said. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 11% | Activity: 76% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Marketing](https://www.trendhunter.com/marketing) > [Publicity Stunts](https://www.trendhunter.com/publicitystunts) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **Authentic Showhomes:** There is a trend towards presenting showhomes in a more realistic, authentic way by showcasing messy, lived-in spaces. - **Unexpected Interior Design:** Designing interiors that defy traditional expectations and feature unconventional elements is gaining popularity in the housing market. - **Memorable Visual Experiences:** Creating unique and memorable showhome experiences helps potential buyers visualize the property as a real family home and builds stronger connections. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Real Estate:** The real estate industry can benefit from embracing the trend of presenting showhomes in a more authentic and relatable way to attract potential buyers. - **Interior Design:** The interior design industry has the opportunity to explore unconventional and unexpected design choices that challenge traditional notions of showhome presentation. - **Event Marketing:** Event marketing professionals can leverage the trend of creating memorable and unique showhome experiences to engage attendees and leave a lasting impression. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Living Condition Awareness Dollhouses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unwelcome-home.md) - [Textured Flat Renovations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/la-casita.md) - [Storage-Centric Living Spaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clutterfree-living.md) - [Social Experiment Virtual Apartments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/uncanny-spaces.md) - [Abstract Fantasy Home Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/abstract-fantasy-home.md) - [Life Mess-Honoring Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/imperfect-home.md) - [Whimsical Home Tours](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-pillsbury-doughboy.md) - [Housing Crisis Presentation Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/real-life-roomsets.md) - [Playful Apartment Makeovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/onda-apartment.md)