Granite worktops, floating shelves, and feature walls have been named among the best interior design trends of the last 25 years – while carpeted bathrooms and textured ceilings rank among the worst, research has found.
A poll of 2,000 homeowners found that they typically make five changes to their humble abode each year, in a bid to keep up with current trends.
And some of their favourite home improvement projects since pre-2000 have included parquet flooring, spa bathtubs, and beige walls. Meanwhile, one in five (21%) say that the minimalism trend has been the best advancement in home décor of the last quarter-century.
On the other hand, dark wood panelling, animal print, and sponge walls all made the list of the top 10 worst interior design trends since 1998 – along with linoleum flooring, and neon lighting.
The research was commissioned by Checkatrade to mark its 25th anniversary – and also found that favourite trends differ from city to city, with homeowners in Brighton favouring parquet flooring (26%), while those in London prefer minimalism (28%).
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Checkatrade)
The poll also found four in ten homeowners (39%) claim to have regretted incorporating a home improvement or interior trend – with 8% of these changing their mind about the decision within just one year of the install.
Saving money seems to be the biggest influence on home improvement changes in the past 25 years, according to 27% of those polled, via OnePoll.
Some of the most popular home improvement trends over the last 25 years have included building a conservatory (34%), getting a loft conversion (33%), and energy-efficient changes, such as installing heat pumps or solar panels (31%).
Checkatrade spokeswoman, Georgina Whalley, said: “With a quarter-century’s experience of connecting homeowners and quality tradespeople together, we’ve helped people bring countless trends to life in homes across the UK.
“From offering up inspiration for life-enhancing changes such as loft conversions, to supporting with urgent or emergency repairs, Checkatrade is best placed to find trades that can be trusted to help improve British homes.”
Top 10 best interiors trends of the past 25 years:
- Granite worktops
- Minimalism
- Floating shelves
- Parquet flooring
- Feature walls
- Exposed brickwork
- Hygge/cosy
- Spa bathtubs
- Beige walls
- Hot tub gazebo
Top 10 worst interiors trends of the past 25 years:
- Carpeted bathrooms
- Textured ceilings
- Dark wood panelling
- Animal print
- Sponge walls
- Wall stencils
- Exposed brickwork
- Linoleum flooring
- Neon lighting
- Tile countertops/wall panelling