New study reveals The cities that feel embarrassed by their interiors ahead of Christmas

Newcastle homeowners are embarrassed to host Christmas because of their interiors

• Three quarters of homeowners feel their interior style lets them down so much that they won’t have guests to stay
• More than one in five homeowners in Newcastle feel embarrassed by their home
• Hostess with the mostess - Experts give their tips on having a home to be proud of this Christmas

With Christmas on the horizon, a new nationwide study has revealed where in the UK homeowners are most embarrassed by the state of their homes, and that 75% refuse to host guests because of it.

In Newcastle, more than a fifth of homeowners are ashamed of their interiors (22%), making it the capital of interior embarrassment in the UK.

The research, by leading designer radiator specialists BestHeating asked 2,004 homeowners about their interior style, in celebration of the launch of its messaging that even radiators can be artwork in your home.

Looking ahead to Christmas, three quarters of those that don’t want to host blame it on their poor interior style. In Newcastle, this rises to 84% and is closely followed by Edinburgh (83%) and Manchester (82%).

The cities most embarrassed about their interior design choices

1. Newcastle – 22%
2. Sheffield – 20%
3. Birmingham – 17%
4. Belfast – 15%
5. Manchester – 14%
6. Nottingham – 13%
7. London – 13%
8. Leeds – 12%
9. Edinburgh – 11%
10. Southampton – 10%

When it comes to embarrassment Sheffield ranks second (20%), where eight out of 10 won’t invite loved ones into their home over the festive period.

Birmingham is third with 17% saying they don’t like their interior design choices, and Belfast is fourth where nearly one in six (15%) feel embarrassed.

To help those that feel embarrassed by their interiors, Jessica Steele, style expert at BestHeating, has explained three ways to overcome this and be confident to welcome guests this Christmas:

1. Add artwork

Jess says to take attention away from areas that leave homeowners embarrassed, introduce focal points: “There are many ways to improve the aesthetic of an interior, and statement pieces such as artwork in each room will draw the attention of guests. Bright coloured images or patterns create a talking point and leave a lasting impression, and even vivid radiators have this effect.”

2. Plan on Pinterest

To understand interiors more, Jess says to plan ahead and look for inspiration online: “There are lots of ways to freshen up your space, but for those that aren’t confident in their ability to pair colours or choose a style, use inspiration platforms such as Pinterest and make a mood board to create a room that fills you with joy. It is likely that if you are impressed with the designs and incorporate it into the style of a room, then guests will be too.”

3. Declutter

Don’t underestimate the power of having a clean and tidy space, Jess explains: “At Christmas homes are filled with trees and festive ornaments, but with needles dropping off it can be easy for the house to get messy. Most people feel better after tidying up and appreciate their interior more, so go through items and decide if you really need them or if they can be thrown away or even put in the loft to open up the space.”

Finally Jess adds: “It’s sad to see how many homeowners in Newcastle feel embarrassed by their homes and admit to not knowing trends or what colours go well together. We hope that our advice helps people look at their interiors differently and try new ways to become proud to host family and friends this Christmas.”