Millions of Brits admit their home ‘lacks character’, new research has found. A study revealed an obsession with minimalistic-style decor and a fear of using bright colours, amid worries over ‘what the neighbours will say’, drastically affect a home’s personality.
Home improvement television shows using predominantly pastel colours and the trend of decorating our homes in a way others will like, rather than in shades we prefer, also play a part.
The study of 2,000 unearthed a lack of confidence when it comes to inserting splashes of color or making our mark on our home because of fears we’ll ‘get it wrong’, with 56% only ever using ‘safe’ furnishings and neutral looks.
The research, commissioned by home furnishings brand ColourMatch from Argos, also found 47% of people avoid adding color inside their home over the worry that it may affect the re-sell value.
In fact, the majority of respondents admitted their home ‘lacks personality’ while just a third felt their home actually reflects their own personality or character.
An obsession with impressing others also emerged – with 75% admitting they were more concerned with creating a home they thought others would love over one that actually represents their own tastes and personality.
The study also found over a quarter of those surveyed (26%) were unhappy with the way at least two rooms in their home were furnished.
Expert color psychologist Karen Haller, who worked closely with the team at ColourMatch to analyze the results, said:
”People are often surprised when I tell them how important color is to everyday life. Homes are becoming more and more alike through a lack of confidence in adding our own personal touches.
”The easiest way to differentiate your home is through color – it has so many benefits from being aesthetically pleasing, lifting your mood to reflecting your personality.
”Every shade of every color can be directly associated to a type of personality – it’s just about identifying what type of personality you are in the first place.
”Knowing which color is your perfect match, which reflects your individual home style, will make the process a lot easier.”
The study also found when it comes to the feel of their home, nearly one fifth describe their look as minimalist- which may explain why so many believe their house lacks personality.
The intentions to experiment are there – more than a quarter have tried to decorate with a different look or color but lost confidence and abandoned their plans midway.
The absence of family photos, ornaments and an abundance of gadgets were some of the biggest reasons cited for affecting the feel of their place and causing a lack of character.
Paul Rees of Argos said:
”What this research tells us is that people are worried about ‘getting it wrong’ in their home.
”There is a general lack of knowledge in how to successfully incorporate color into your home, despite all of the clear benefits in doing so.”
TOP 10 THINGS BRITS FEEL MAKE THEIR HOME LACK PERSONALITY
Lots of safe colours
Lots of neutral tones
Lack of bright colour
Not many ornaments
Lack of carpet – lots of hardwood floor
Lack of family photos
Blinds instead of curtains
Lots of gadgets/ electronics
Minimalist look
Down lights rather than lampshades