This is an exciting post to write. Just look at these images! Aren’t they beautiful? As soon as I saw these images I knew I had to share them with you. They were styled by blogging friends Kate Watson-Smyth and Pippa Jameson along with interior designer, stylist and TV personality Sophie Robinson. These super talented ladies were asked to style these roomsets for DFS, the biggest sofa manufacturer in the UK. DFS has recently conducted some research into how British people feel about colourful homes. The findings make for interesting reading.
The research shows that neutrals remain the UK’s top colour choice, as 39% of UK homeowners opt for grey, cream, beige or magnolia as the main colour theme in their home. However, the findings also show that many of us (46%) would actually like to embrace a bolder palette and live in more colourful homes. Roughly the same percentage of people (47%) are afraid of using colour in case they get it wrong. This sad statistic shows to what extent our colour aspirations are being hampered by a crippling self-doubt.
Of those surveyed, 27% said that they lack any inspiration at all when it comes to bringing colour into their home. A further 20% said they look to the homes of their friends and family when choosing colours.
A further 20% said they would like to use blush pink at home, 27% said sage green and 29% said teal. However, these were also some of the colours that homeowners feel least confident bringing into their homes.
It’s not all negative though as sales data from DFS shows that, as a nation, we are starting to conquer our fear of colour and create more colourful homes. Sales of pink sofas have increased by 16% in 2018 compared to the same period last year (January-April’17). Green sofas have seen a 9% increase. And sales of yellow sofas at DFS have more than doubled year on year (January-April ’17 to January-April ’18).
There’s nothing wrong with a neutral colour palette, it can be the basis of a beautiful home, but we also know that so many people are hiding their love for colour behind a fear of failure. Colour can have such a positive impact on how we feel in the sanctuary of our homes, whether that’s a colourful couch or accent chair, or a more neutral sofa in a colourful room.
Bringing colour into the home shouldn’t be something people are fearful of. It’s simply about recognising the colours you love, and forgetting any fears of getting it wrong. While our friends and family are often the ones we turn to for inspiration, we also want to help people find the colour confidence they’re longing to unleash. Our new colour hub has a host of inspiration for how to use and combine colours to realise a palette that can make you smile.
In their mission to help Britain be more fearless when it comes to colour, DFS has launched a Colour Hub which offers inspiration and advice on achievable ways to create more colourful homes.
For years I shunned colour too and lived in a magnolia home. Once I painted that first room though there was no looking back and my colour confidence has continued to grow. I’m now feeling super inspired by Sophie’s bright and bold living room. It’s crazy but I love it!
I’d also love to get some feedback from you guys. Have you embraced colour at home or are you too scared of getting it wrong? If you could find the courage to go bold, what colour would you choose? Let me know in the comments.
Really interesting statistics and I love the styling in the photographs! My first home was fairly neutral, the second was colourful, and now I’ve gone back to neutral. For me, it depends on the property and what will work best.
I wish I could have experienced these beautiful roomsets in the flesh. They look lovely!
Lovely colorful decors. The pictures are gorgeous and inspirational!