Millions of UK adults find their home ‘stressful’, poll claims

One in seven people describe their dwelling as ‘chaotic’ environment

Millions of people find their current homes 'stressful', a survey suggests (Getty Images)

Millions of UK adults consider their home to be a “stressful” place, a new poll suggests.

A lack of space, poor natural lighting and shabby paintwork means more than one-quarter are unhappy with their home’s appearance, according to the survey.

Roughly one in eight said that rather than being a sanctuary, their home left them them feeling stressed, with women more likely to report feeling this way.

Just two-thirds of respondents considered their home to be relaxing, with another one in seven describing it as a “chaotic” environment and nearly one-third thinking more work is needed to optimise the space they have.

“Our homes reflect our personalities, so it’s important to make the most of what you have, even if space is at a premium,” said a spokesperson for David Village Lighting, which commissioned the poll.

“Small improvements and adjustments to elements like lighting, furniture and even arrangement can completely transform a space, and many homeowners may not realise what these tweaks can achieve.”

The survey also suggested that one in five adults have made furniture adjustments to try and improve the atmosphere of their home, and nearly half had tried to strategically place mirrors around their home in order to make the space appear larger than it really is.

The majority have tried repainting a room to give the illusion of a bigger space while more than one-quarter have turned to lighting to make their home feel bigger.

Despite the levels of stress reported, three quarters of those polled enjoy decorating their home, and 12 per cent of those surveyed will make tweaks to their décor every six months.

“A home should be an ongoing project, with incremental improvements and changes made regularly to achieve your vision, as well as keep on top of trends,” a spokesperson for David Village Lighting added.

“A homeowner should never feel like their dream aesthetic is unachievable, and we would like to encourage readers to consider their home as an evolving space which grows with them over time.”

SWNS