Are you thinking of changing rooms
- What's in and what's out - the worst current design faux pas named and shamed
- Sponge painting, animal statues and mirrored wardrobe doors top tasteless home design features of the last 20 years
- 93% of homeowners predict gloomy outlook for UK housing market
Sponge painting, animal statues and mirrored wardrobes have been named as some of the worst home design features of the last 20 years in a new survey which pinpoints the do's and don'ts of interior design.
The survey was specially commissioned to celebrate the launch of uktvhomes.co.uk. The survey canvassed 2,000 British home owners to compile the definitive list of what's in and what's out when it comes to stylish home design in 2008.
As the nation adopts the mantra of 'don't move - improve', the results highlight the speed at which interior styles change, and identifies the home interiors from the last 20 years that are now considered to be the height of bad taste.
Rag rolling, stenciling and sponge finish paint effects, made popular on shows such as Changing Rooms in the nineties, topped the list of modern bad design with 54%. This was closely followed by mirrored wardrobes (53%), heavily patterned tiles (52%), and magnolia paint (50%), championed by the House Doctor, all feature among the top ten turn offs.
The poll reveal that nine in ten UK home owners (93%) do not expect the housing market to stabilise for at least two years, with the majority of respondents (62%), citing they will not consider a move until the economic situation recovers. Instead, home owners are turning to DIY, with two thirds (59%), acknowledging the credit crunch has encouraged them to improve their current home, rather than moving. In a bid to save money, three quarters (72%) prefer to do the work themselves rather than hire a professional.
The results point to a 'three year itch' when it comes to home decoration, with two in five (40%) claiming they redecorate every three years. A quarter (25%) admit to spending £3,000 on improvements while one in ten (10%) spend an average of £6,000. Of those polled, nearly half (42%), renovate to create a space that is both functional and practical, and one in ten (9%), aim to create an eco friendly room.
Wall mounted TV's and large home entertainment systems are frowned upon by 38% of respondents, as fashionable home owners revert to traditional stands and increasingly prefer to conceal technology around the home (40%). Outdoor designs aren't exempt either; a third (29%) found water features, which were all the rage ten years ago, and animal statues (51%), tacky and tasteless.
Top 10 Home Design Turn Offs from the last 20 years
1. Paint effects e.g. rag rolling, sponge finish, stencilling - 54%
2. Mirrored wardrobe doors - 53%
3. Heavily patterned tiling - 52%
4. Animal statues - 51%
5. 1980s colour schemes (hunter green, teal, peach & salmon, red, blue, black and white) - 50%
6. Net curtains - 45%
7. Large home entertainment systems / wall mounted TVs - 38%
8. Water features - 29%
9. Magnolia paint ¬ - 27%
10. Futon - 25%
When it comes to adding value and style, uktvhomes.co.uk survey also identified the style trends which could add value. Of those polled, nearly half (47%), believe a loft conversion would improve their home, whilst over a third felt renovating the kitchen would increase the value of their home (38%).
Being green is also recognised as an important factor; with a third (29%), using environmentally friendly materials to add value to a home. Solar panels were identified one of the most coveted outdoor trends (35%).
Top 10 Modern Home Turn Ons
1. Power shower - 55%
2. Heated towel rails - 52%
3. Under floor heating - 46%
4. American style fridge freezer - 42%
5. Granite countertops - 41%
6. Concealed appliances - 40%
7. Stainless steel appliances- 36%
8. Solar Panels - 35%
9. Free standing baths - 34%
10. Slate floor tiles - 32%
UKTV Homes spokesperson and DIY expert Gordon Whistance comments: "With the housing market in its current state, more home owners are looking to revive the rooms in their property as opposed to moving house. Mirrored wardrobes and animal statues are out and environmentally friendly rooms and concealed appliances are in! Maximising the space you have and leaving the past where it belongs is one way of beating the credit crunch - however people should be mindful when redecorating as it's harder than it looks!"
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