Woodchip wallpaper and artex ceilings are the most disliked home design choices – but nearly half plan to spruce up their living spaces in the next 12 months, the research found
One in three homeowners are living with interior décor they don’t like – but nearly half (48%) plan to spruce up their main living spaces over the next 12 months, a study has found.
A survey of 2,000 adults, on the property ladder, found that 38% admit they have not refreshed any of their living spaces for at least five years – with four in 10 claiming their home needs significant work done.
Some of the top style changes they feel their property would most benefit from include a fresh coat of paint, rearranging the furniture, clearing out the clutter – and tidying away unsightly electric cables.
And they have also revealed the things they most dislike about their current décor – with woodchip wallpaper, artex ceilings, and lino topping the list.
Other design disasters they are currently tolerating include unfasionable or dated carpets, discoloured skirting boards – and plain or ugly furniture, such as sofas.
In light of the findings, a 3D design has been created of a living space that brings together all of the worst elements of a room – from a dated fireplace, to tired curtains and curtain pelmets.
The images also show a tatty rug covering a lino floor, while old light fixtures hang from the ceiling, and cheap shelving adorns the walls.
The research was commissioned by Shutterly Fabulous, and also revealed that the living room and the kitchen are the rooms Brits feel are in the biggest need of a refresh – with respondents disliking almost a quarter of what’s contained within these spaces.
But almost half (47%) can’t afford to replace their disliked furnishings, while three in 10 accept them purely based on functionality. Despite this, 39% can be judgemental of other people’s décor – and one in 10 put up with items they can’t stand, because their partner likes them.
A spokesman from Shutterly Fabulous, which commissioned the research, said: “Sometimes, one change to your home can make a huge difference.
“The research has shown a lack of money for big changes, and a lack of time, are holding people back from having a style they love in their own home. However, sometimes it isn’t a complete overhaul that’s required to transform a room.”
It also emerged that a fifth of respondents (19%) frequently make small changes to their home in a bid to keep its look fresh – and reckon the addition of indoor plants could help to brighten up their tired rooms.
More than a tenth (12%) also admit their home needs a fundamental style overhaul – but, despite their dislikes, 57% have been complimented on their interior style choices, according to the OnePoll data.
Respondents revealed the décor choices they ended up living to regret – including bold paint colours, splashing out on an expensive piece of furniture they later changed their mind on, and feature walls.
And just one in 10 currently have shutters in their home, rather than curtains – but 86% of those believe they enhance the look and feel of the room. And 29% of all respondents would like to have them installed, to replace their tired curtains.
The spokesman from Shutterly Fabulous added: “When following trends, sometimes you can fall into living with looks that don’t date well, and you end up regretting.
“The research has really highlighted how people are living in spaces they’re not actually particularly happy with, which is a real shame. Often, a simple yet effective change, like switching from curtains to having shutters installed, can completely transform the feel of a room.”
HOMEOWNERS’ TOP 20 BIGGEST LIVING ROOM DISLIKES:
- Woodchip wallpaper
- Artex ceilings
- Lino
- Tired curtains (e.g. dated/bleached by the sun/don’t quite fit the windows)
- Unfashionable carpets
- Curtain pelmets
- Dated fireplace
- Discoloured skirting boards
- Old, dated rugs
- Dated light fixtures
- Cheap shelving
- Dated sideboards
- Laminate flooring
- Glass block feature walls
- Statement wallpaper
- Flimsy front door
- Glass coffee table
- Furniture (e.g. plain or ugly sofas)
- Vertical hanging blinds
- Generic prints
