Asceticism, extravagance, and everything in-between

I've traveled both of these paths mentally, though I've probably done nothing in actuality to sway my behavior either way.

I've often dreamed of getting rid of 9/10ths of my possessions.  Sometimes because I've found detachment an appealing way of life, but mainly just for greater peace of mind.

My dad's parents were immigrants to India (from India).  They came with few possessions.  My dad has always appreciated everything he has and taken good care of his things.  He tried to impart some of these habits to my brother and me (though my brother picked them up much better).  He taught me how to hold a book and turn pages so it wouldn't get dog-eared.  He taught me to put everything in ziplock bags with labels, including teddy bears, so they wouldn't get dusty or lost.

He also taught me that everything should be vacuumed - floors, ceilings, walls, chairs, etc.   We used to vacuum weekly, and furniture always just got in the way of the vacuuming.   I don't know where I got this habit, but I've also always been comfortable doing everything on the floor - sleeping, relaxing, reading a book, eating, etc. 

So somehow I got this mindset that furniture is antithetical to happiness.   Lately, I've thought this to be true for all excess possessions - and I have got a lot of excess possessions!