News Copy - By Astrid Hall
Millions of homeowners admit they steal design tips from their neighbours, according to research.
A study of 2,000 UK adults found one fifth scour friends and neighbour's homes for inspiration at social gatherings and dinner parties.
Nearly half have even made a new purchase, or considered making one, after being inspired by furnishings in a home belonging to someone who lives nearby.
And nearly a fifth of those who admitted nabbing a neighbour's interior design ideas have ended up buying an entirely new kitchen after being impressed by someone else’s.
The research by Carpetright also found one third have decided to upgrade their flooring after admiring a style in the home of a friend or neighbour.
A spokesperson said: “Our research shows a number of UK homeowners are proud of their homes and are determined to make sure it suits their lifestyle.
"This study proves that inspiration can be found anywhere.
''Pinterest, Instagram and magazines are great for discovering new ideas, but inspiration can also be found a little nearer to home in the form of friends, family and our neighbours.”
The research also found homeowners are most likely to imitate a friend’s design choices when decorating a home, ahead of those of a neighbour and relative.
One in five will seize any opportunity to sneak a peek at a neighbours’ interior styling choices, by dropping around a parcel or popping over for a bite to eat.
And a third have even been surprised when stepping over the threshold of a neighbour’s home for the first time, where interiors have been cleaner, dirtier or more modern than expected.
Two fifths confessed to being envious of a neighbour’s household, with the kitchen being the room homeowners are most likely to wish was their own.
This is closely followed by adults wishing they had their friend’s garden, with three in 10 admitting they have made landscaping changes to their own adding decking or a patio as a result.
The living room is also likely to leave Brits in awe, followed by soft furnishings and flooring choices.
One fifth have also made a new tech purchase after enjoying a neighbour’s clever gadget, but it’s not just technology which leaves people wanting to replicate others’ homes.
A wood burning fire, hardwood floors and big American-style fridge-freezers are also among the plush home furnishings Brits would most like to get installed in their own property.
Blinds or curtains also leave adults with a desire to upgrade their home interior, as well as the size of someone else’s TV, tasteful house plants, bi-folding doors and plush carpets.
It also emerged a tenth of those polled have made three changes or more around the home in the past year to replicate the homes of their friends and neighbours.
And the nation’s homeowners have spent £169 each, on average, in the last 12 months copying the styles and design choices of others.
Yet half wished they could make more changes to their home more often, no matter how big or small.
But an equal number are unable to make the updates they want because they need to set aside the cash, while one quarter don’t have the time.
Another one in 10 respondents, polled via OnePoll, admitted they simply can’t seem to make up their mind and stick to it when being inspired to revamp their home.
A spokesperson for Carpetright added: "Whether people are looking to completely change the design of their home, or are looking to be inspired by our latest flooring, we ensure everything from carpets to hard flooring, to rugs and beds are on-trend, reliable, exciting and suitable for all budgets and lifestyles.”
* To view more results from the survey, visit https://www.carpetright.co.uk/are-we-jealous-of-our-neighbours
Top 20 furnishings homeowners want:
1. Wood burning fire
2. Hardwood flooring
3. A big American fridge/freezer
4. Blinds/curtain fixtures
5. The size of TV
6. Nice house plants
7. Bi-folding doors
8. Plush carpet
9. Corner sofa
10. Underfloor heating
11. Wall mounted TV
12. A fancy coffee machine
13. Skylights
14. Feature wall - a single wall of wallpaper
15. An AGA/range cooker
16. Floor rug
17. Smart technology
18. Jacuzzi
19. All-weather BBQ
20. Pizza oven
ENDS
