It seems as though many homes around the UK could do with a lick of paint and a general revamp, which may be good news if you’re looking to find new customers for your decorating services.

To help ensure you’re able to meet demand, it may be wise to invest in some new decorating supplies. By coming to us for these items, you stand to save yourself money, helping to keep your costs to a minimum.

 

Brits ashamed of their properties

According to research commissioned by Dulux, more than two-thirds of Brits are ashamed of their homes and, as a result, 47 per cent have avoided inviting family and friends over. Meanwhile, 66 per cent of people polled as part of the study revealed that they are so embarrassed by the state of at least one room in their abodes that they would not let anyone else see it.

In addition, 34 per cent of the individuals polled stated there are two or more rooms in their homes that they would not allow others to view. One in ten respondents went as far as to state that they do not like a single room in their current properties.

 

More facts and figures

The research also found that a quarter of Brits never host social gatherings in their properties because they are too ashamed of them. One in ten had never even invited their parents around to their homes due to embarrassment.

Top excuses included ‘we’d rather come visit you’ and ‘I’m too busy with work’. Meanwhile, some people revealed they pretend they are out when visitors knock at their doors. A number of respondents said they were honest about the issue, telling their friends and family they are too embarrassed about the state of their homes.

 

Main sources of shame

Dated and marked carpets took the top spot in terms of property embarrassment, while faded paintwork and cracked ceilings or walls came in second and third place. Rounding up the top five were ageing wallpaper and bad colour schemes.

 

Easily rectified

Commenting on the findings, Dulux ambassador and interior designer Jo Hamilton said: “The study reveals how the British are embarrassed by their homes and the impact this is having on their social lives.  It’s a shame that so much living space is left unused, when it’s so easily rectified, without having to spend a fortune. I look back with fondness on a house I bought a few years ago. It was very dated and uncomfortable when I moved in and I had spent all my money on buying the property, so there was very little left over to renovate it with.

“I had to find clever ways to make the house look good. I took the wallpaper off and lifted the carpets, which gave me a wonderful blank canvas. I polished the floorboards and painted the woodwork the same colour throughout because I wanted to maximise the sense of space.”

 

Check us out

If you’re keen to get some new paint brushes and other decorating tools to help hapless homeowners realise their design ambitions, just take a look around our website.