Seven in Ten Brits Unhappy with their Home

By Nathan Lee, TLE Correspondent 

Seven in ten Brits admit they aren’t happy with their home, new research has revealed, with size and location coming out as big factors but décor topping the list.

The study found millions of Brits are living in homes we dislike, with more than 20 per cent saying they completely hate where they live.

While many people dislike their home because it’s too small, or because they’re not happy with the location, half of us say our home needs redecorating. A new coat of paint on the walls, new furniture and replacing curtains or blinds are ways that many people say would improve how they feel about their homes.

However, almost half of all people feel like they will never get to a point where they’re completely happy with their home, as a lack of money, time and know-how stops them from even trying to be happy with their homes.

A spokesman for wooden-blinds-direct.co.uk, the website which commissioned the research, said: “For most of us, our homes are the biggest purchases we will ever make, so it’s worrying to see so many people are living in homes they happy with, or that they actually hate! It can be difficult when you feel like your home is too small, or in a location you don’t like, but some smaller improvements could completely change how you feel about your home.

“Don’t view your home as something that has to be tackled all at once – break it down into individual projects. Something as simple as a new coat of paint in a room, a new carpet, or some new furniture or fittings can be a small change which you’re happy with. And once a few of those small projects have been completed, the cumulative effect can make a huge difference to how you feel.”

The study of 2,000 adults found 72 per cent aren’t happy with their home, with half saying it needs re-decorating. Three in ten simply haven’t got their home ‘how they want it’ yet, while 28 per cent say it is too small.

Other reasons for being unhappy in their home include the garden not being big enough, little or no parking, noisy or “outrageous” neighbours or windows which are too small and don’t let in enough light.

But while 45 per cent of people say it’s generally little things they want to change about their home, three in ten dislike aspects of it which are unlikely to change any time soon. And almost six in ten feel the only way they are going to get a house which they are happy with, is to move.

It also emerged that 57 per cent think a simple coat of paint or new wallpaper would go a long way to help improve how they feel about their home, while another 38 per cent think laying new carpet or flooring would make a huge difference. Others say installing a new kitchen or bathroom, replacing windows, building an extension and swapping curtains or net curtains for blinds would also see them happier with the home they live in.

The spokesperson added: “We conducted this research to see how people really feel about their homes; to find out that so many of us are so unhappy is a shock. We supply thousands of blinds every week, and our interior designers often field questions and special requests from people who are looking to get their ideal look.

“We encourage people to get in touch and talk to us about what they want in their home – it’s important that you feel happy with where you’re living. We all spend too much time at home to be unhappy with where we’re living!”

Top 15 reasons for being unhappy with your home

1. It needs redecorating
2. I just haven’t got it the way I want it
3. It’s too small
4. The location
5. It’s not decorated to my tastes
6. The garden is too small
7. There isn’t a lot/any parking
8. It’s quite dated
9. I don’t get on with my neighbours
10. It’s too old
11. It’s quite a dark house with little natural light
12. It doesn’t have a garden
13. It’s in an area which is too busy/built-up
14. It’s too big
15. The windows are too small

Top ten things we would most like to do to improve our home

1. Re-paint or wallpaper
2. Lay new carpets/flooring
3. Install a new kitchen
4. Buy new furniture
5. Clear it of clutter
6. Install a new bathroom
7. Replace your windows
8. Build an extension
9. Replace curtains for blinds
10. Convert the loft
11. Build a conservatory
12. Knock down internal walls
13. Swap net curtains for blinds
14. Build a garage
15. Convert your garage into another room