HOME trends of the 1970s can still be found in almost a third of Scottish homes – with lino floors, Artex ceilings and hanging plants in woven baskets topping the list.
One in ten homeowners admitted in new poll that their home has light fittings, carpets or wallpaper that have remained unchanged for 40 years or more.
Other vintage styles that have stood the test of time include tan leather upholstery, pine kitchen cupboards, patterned carpets, wicker/bamboo furniture, having carpet in the bathroom, coloured bathroom suites and a serving hatch.
Despite the dated decor, most respondents claim to be home improvers and 95 per cent say they have redecorated or remodelled a room in their homes in the last five years.
The most popular ways to modernise range from investing in open plan kitchen/diner/ living spaces, cordless vacuum cleaners and real wooden floors, to pod style coffee machines and white gloss kitchen cabinets.
Contemporary wishlists also include real wood floors, underfloor heating, instant boiling water taps, kitchen islands and log burning stoves.
Jonathan Rogers, of floorcare specialist Vax, who commissioned the study, said: “The typical British home is an amazing contrast between living with the designs of the past, such as Artex ceilings, but also incorporating the latest trends such as hard wooden floors or instant boiling taps.
“Life has changed significantly since the 70s and so have our needs, so it is not surprising that 81 per cent of people have redecorated at least one room in their home within the last two years. The UK are a nation of proud homeowners, with one of the highest proportions of ownership in Europe. Our home is special and therefore we have a real desire to look after it and create living spaces we can enjoy – but interior design is just one element of this.”
TV property expert Amanda Lamb added: “Whether you have a penchant for 70s inspired coloured bathrooms or favour today’s sleek, minimalist finishes, your home should be a space you enjoy and a reflection of your own personality and style.
“Just because a feature was popularised in the 70s does not mean it has no place in modern interior design. The trick is to know the difference between stylish, and simply out-of-date. Bright patterned floors in an otherwise neutral, muted room can create the illusion of space. However, a cut-off of your grandma’s psychedelic carpet is less retro-chic and more plain-ugly.”
[“Source-dng24”]
