By Hannah Martin
Seven in 10 homeowners have ‘grand designs’ when it comes to refurbing their homes - but often settle for safer, less bold options. A study of 1,000 adults found that nearly a quarter, 23 per cent, opted for the 'safe' option to avoid feeling like they’ve made a mistake later on and the same amount don’t feel confident enough to make braver choices.
A similar number mentioned cost and being keen to avoid any interior mishaps that may end up taking significant work to resolve. Of those who have made a décor decision they came to regret, buying cheap poor-quality furniture that went on to break came top of the list. It was followed by having a too neutral an interiors palette, and overcrowding the living room with too-big furnishings that didn’t work in the space.
Other regrets budding designers have made include wallpapering a whole room in a bold pattern, and prioritising aesthetics over the practicality of furniture.
The research was commissioned by furniture retailer DFS, who teamed up with award winning design expert Susan McGowan of Ashen and Cloud to reveal why we should trust our instincts and go with our gut when decorating our homes.
Susan said; “Making a decision on your home décor doesn’t need to be make-or-break – styling is a journey of experimenting and discovering your personal preferences. You’ve got to be unapologetic about your choices. One person’s ‘bold and adventurous’ might be another person’s ‘too busy and over-the-top', what matters most is that your choices feel true to you and your own personal taste.
“If you do feel like you’ve made a mistake, like overcrowding a room, give yourself permission to go back to the drawing board and try something new or different. You’ll be surprised how much you can learn about your personal taste through experimentation. To stop playing safe and be bolder, there are steps we can take to feel more confident in our decor decisions and curate a space that works well for us.”
When it comes to creating interiors look that really reflects your own personality and unique sense of style, Susan says; “Decorating your home is not just about furniture and colours, it's a canvas for your personality, a place to bring to life ‘your thing’. When it comes to following trends your home should tell your story, not anyone else's. Home decor is not a one-size-fits-all so have confidence in your unique style, mix elements of different trends, experiment with colours, patterns and textures, and watch your home transform into a true reflection of your taste."
