Thousands of renters and first-time buyers go without key furniture items for weeks or months after moving in, according to survey results
• Roughly three in five (58%) first time buyers and renters don’t have the money to properly furnish their homes when they move in
• Nearly a quarter (23%) of renters and first time buyers say that the interior look of their homes has a negative impact on their wellbeing
• Just under six in ten renters and first time buyers overlook the opportunity to buy second-hand in order to save money (59%)
The survey of over 2000 first time buyers and renters in the UK found that roughly three in five (58%) don’t have enough money to properly furnish their new home when they move in. At least one in four (24%) wait weeks or months before getting key furniture items they need to live comfortably.
As a result, nearly half of respondents (50%) would describe the quality of their homeware and furniture as average or poor. Furthermore, roughly a quarter (23%) of first time buyers and renters say that the interior look of their homes and the condition of their furniture and homewares has a negative impact on their wellbeing. This rose to more than a third (36%) in 16-24 year olds, many of who may be renting for the first time.
The figure was highest among Londoners - with a third (30%) claiming they felt a negative impact on their wellbeing when looking at the interior of their homes.
Allison Swaine-Hughes, Retail Director at the BHF, said: “These survey findings show that creating a comfortable home on a modest budget can be difficult for first time buyers and renters faced with the cost of large deposits, mortgage and rental payments.”
The survey has been released as part of our Reuse Revolution campaign, which is encouraging the nation to shop, upcycle and donate second hand furniture.
While a shift in shopping habits is afoot - two in five of first time buyers and renters surveyed (41%) have bought second hand furniture and homewares and similarly, nearly a third (31%) have taken advantage of second hand sites like eBay and Gumtree there are still thousands of first time buyers and renters in the UK overlooking the opportunity to find good quality, unique and affordable furniture through sources like charity shops or via online resell outlets.
Allison continues: “This month we are asking the public to join the Reuse Revolution and shop, upcycle or donate their second hand furniture while helping to raise funds for life saving heart research.”
Last year, the BHF reused and recycled over 42,000 tonnes of furniture and electrical products included 185,000 sofas and 50,000 TVs. This helped prevent 53,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions being released into the atmosphere.
Join the Reuse Revolution
• The research was conducted by Censuswide, on behalf of British Heart Foundation, with a random sample of 1,002 first time buyers and 1,000 renters in the United Kingdom between 07.08.2019 and 13.08.2019. Censuswide abide by and employ members of the Market Research Society which is based on the ESOMAR principles.