diff --git a/homedecor/clocks.lua b/homedecor/clocks.lua
index 1fc6a6cb..0a00934f 100644
--- a/homedecor/clocks.lua
+++ b/homedecor/clocks.lua
@@ -91,7 +91,7 @@ homedecor.register("grandfather_clock", {
 	selection_box = gf_cbox,
 	collision_box = gf_cbox,
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
-	expand = { top="air" },
+	expand = { top="placeholder" },
 	on_rotate = screwdriver.rotate_simple
 })
 
diff --git a/homedecor/exterior.lua b/homedecor/exterior.lua
index 0a96ab3f..97307dc3 100644
--- a/homedecor/exterior.lua
+++ b/homedecor/exterior.lua
@@ -25,6 +25,7 @@ homedecor.register("barbecue", {
 	selection_box = bbq_cbox,
 	collision_box = bbq_cbox,
 	sounds = default.node_sound_stone_defaults(),
+	-- no need for placeholder it appears
 	expand = { top="air" },
 })
 
@@ -52,7 +53,7 @@ homedecor.register("bench_large_1", {
 	description = "Garden Bench (style 1)",
 	inventory_image = "homedecor_bench_large_1_inv.png",
 	groups = { snappy = 3 },
-	expand = { right="air" },
+	expand = { right="placeholder" },
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
 	selection_box = bl1_sbox,
 	node_box = bl1_cbox,
@@ -83,7 +84,7 @@ homedecor.register("bench_large_2", {
 	groups = {snappy=3},
 	selection_box = bl2_sbox,
 	node_box = bl2_cbox,
-	expand = { right="air" },
+	expand = { right="placeholder" },
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
 	on_rotate = screwdriver.disallow
 })
@@ -101,7 +102,7 @@ homedecor.register("deckchair", {
 	tiles = {"homedecor_deckchair.png"},
 	description = "Deck Chair",
 	groups = { snappy = 3 },
-	expand = { forward="air" },
+	expand = { forward="placeholder" },
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
 	selection_box = dc_cbox,
 	collision_box = dc_cbox,
@@ -116,7 +117,7 @@ homedecor.register("deckchair_striped_blue", {
 	tiles = {"homedecor_deckchair_striped_blue.png"},
 	description = "Deck Chair",
 	groups = { snappy = 3 },
-	expand = { forward="air" },
+	expand = { forward="placeholder" },
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
 	selection_box = dc_cbox,
 	collision_box = dc_cbox,
@@ -135,7 +136,7 @@ homedecor.register("doghouse", {
 	selection_box = homedecor.nodebox.slab_y(1.5),
 	collision_box = homedecor.nodebox.slab_y(1.5),
 	groups = {snappy=3},
-	expand = { top="air" },
+	expand = { top="placeholder" },
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
 	on_rotate = screwdriver.rotate_simple
 })
@@ -323,7 +324,7 @@ homedecor.register("well", {
 	groups = { snappy = 3 },
 	selection_box = homedecor.nodebox.slab_y(2),
 	collision_box = homedecor.nodebox.slab_y(2),
-	expand = { top="air" },
+	expand = { top="placeholder" },
 	sounds = default.node_sound_stone_defaults(),
 	on_rotate = screwdriver.rotate_simple
 })
diff --git a/homedecor/foyer.lua b/homedecor/foyer.lua
index b218c1ea..6d9afa7c 100644
--- a/homedecor/foyer.lua
+++ b/homedecor/foyer.lua
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ homedecor.register("coat_tree", {
 	description = "Coat tree",
 	groups = {snappy=3},
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
-	expand = { top="air" },
+	expand = { top="placeholder" },
 	walkable = false,
 	selection_box = {
 		type = "fixed",
diff --git a/homedecor/gastronomy.lua b/homedecor/gastronomy.lua
index 3cbf2dbd..d4bc6110 100644
--- a/homedecor/gastronomy.lua
+++ b/homedecor/gastronomy.lua
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ homedecor.register("soda_machine", {
 	groups = {snappy=3},
 	selection_box = svm_cbox,
 	collision_box = svm_cbox,
-	expand = { top="air" },
+	expand = { top="placeholder" },
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
 	on_rotate = screwdriver.rotate_simple,
 	on_punch = function(pos, node, puncher, pointed_thing)
diff --git a/homedecor/kitchen_appliances.lua b/homedecor/kitchen_appliances.lua
index 68570e09..ae59a40d 100644
--- a/homedecor/kitchen_appliances.lua
+++ b/homedecor/kitchen_appliances.lua
@@ -12,7 +12,7 @@ homedecor.register("refrigerator_steel", {
 	sounds = default.node_sound_stone_defaults(),
 	selection_box = homedecor.nodebox.slab_y(2),
 	collision_box = homedecor.nodebox.slab_y(2),
-	expand = { top="air" },
+	expand = { top="placeholder" },
 	infotext=S("Refrigerator"),
 	inventory = {
 		size=50,
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ homedecor.register("refrigerator_white", {
 	selection_box = homedecor.nodebox.slab_y(2),
 	collision_box = homedecor.nodebox.slab_y(2),
 	sounds = default.node_sound_stone_defaults(),
-	expand = { top="air" },
+	expand = { top="placeholder" },
 	infotext=S("Refrigerator"),
 	inventory = {
 		size=50,
diff --git a/homedecor/laundry.lua b/homedecor/laundry.lua
index 01a448fe..e2ef7215 100644
--- a/homedecor/laundry.lua
+++ b/homedecor/laundry.lua
@@ -54,7 +54,7 @@ homedecor.register("ironing_board", {
 		"wool_grey.png",
 		"homedecor_generic_metal_black.png^[brighten"
 	},
-	expand = {right = "air"},
+	expand = {right = "placeholder"},
 	groups = { snappy = 3 },
 	selection_box = ib_cbox,
 	collision_box = ib_cbox
diff --git a/homedecor/lighting.lua b/homedecor/lighting.lua
index f0c3b9da..8351b647 100644
--- a/homedecor/lighting.lua
+++ b/homedecor/lighting.lua
@@ -477,7 +477,7 @@ local function reg_lamp(suffix, nxt, tilesuffix, light, color)
 			node.name = "homedecor:standing_lamp"..lampcolor.."_"..repl[suffix]
 			minetest.set_node(pos, node)
 		end,
-		expand = { top="air" },
+		expand = { top="placeholder" },
 	})
 
 	minetest.register_alias("homedecor:standing_lamp_bottom"..lampcolor.."_"..suffix, "homedecor:standing_lamp"..lampcolor.."_"..suffix)
diff --git a/homedecor/misc-nodes.lua b/homedecor/misc-nodes.lua
index 333961e4..5d807297 100644
--- a/homedecor/misc-nodes.lua
+++ b/homedecor/misc-nodes.lua
@@ -273,7 +273,7 @@ homedecor.register("pool_table", {
 	groups = {snappy=3},
 	selection_box = pooltable_cbox,
 	collision_box = pooltable_cbox,
-	expand = { forward="air" },
+	expand = { forward="placeholder" },
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
 	on_rotate = screwdriver.disallow
 })
@@ -297,7 +297,7 @@ homedecor.register("piano", {
 	groups = { snappy = 3 },
 	selection_box = piano_cbox,
 	collision_box = piano_cbox,
-	expand = { right="air" },
+	expand = { right="placeholder" },
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
 	on_rotate = screwdriver.disallow
 })
@@ -377,7 +377,7 @@ homedecor.register("tool_cabinet", {
 	on_rotate = screwdriver.rotate_simple,
 	groups = { snappy=3 },
 	selection_box = homedecor.nodebox.slab_y(2),
-	expand = { top="air" },
+	expand = { top="placeholder" },
 	inventory = {
 		size=24,
 	}
diff --git a/homedecor/office.lua b/homedecor/office.lua
index 53533e7d..1da21dcb 100644
--- a/homedecor/office.lua
+++ b/homedecor/office.lua
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ homedecor.register("desk", {
 	collision_box = desk_cbox,
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
 	groups = { snappy = 3 },
-	expand = { right="air" },
+	expand = { right="placeholder" },
 	inventory = {
 		size=24,
 		lockable=true,
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ for _, c in pairs({"basic", "upscale"}) do
 		sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
 		selection_box = ofchairs_sbox,
 		collision_box = ofchairs_cbox,
-		expand = { top = "air" },
+		expand = { top = "placeholder" },
 		on_rotate = screwdriver.rotate_simple
 	})
 end
diff --git a/homedecor/wardrobe.lua b/homedecor/wardrobe.lua
index 4f56acba..86b29ef1 100644
--- a/homedecor/wardrobe.lua
+++ b/homedecor/wardrobe.lua
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ homedecor.register("wardrobe", {
 	selection_box = wd_cbox,
 	collision_box = wd_cbox,
 	sounds = default.node_sound_wood_defaults(),
-	expand = { top="air" },
+	expand = { top="placeholder" },
 	on_rotate = screwdriver.rotate_simple,
 	infotext = "Wardrobe",
 	inventory = {