Britons unnecessarily spend an £58,550 improving their homes to emulate property TV programmes, it has been claimed.
New research from esure home insurance has claimed that property shows on television have resulted in homeowners spending an average of £1,171 and 11 days a year doing up their home.

Brits apparently spend £529 on non-functional decorations such as soft furnishings for their home to keep up with the latest domestic trends and a further £404 in a lifetime on items that they will never use, such as expensive designer crockery, silverware and bed linen.

32% of those polled said that the rise of television property programmes such as Grand Designs, The Home Show, Kirstie’s Homemade Home, Location, Location, Location and even MTV Cribs has inspired them to put even more effort into the appearance of their homes and influenced how they decorate.

37% of homeowners polled said that watching property TV programmes made them aspire to live in a better home while 14% admitted that voyeuristic peeks inside celebrity homes made them covet more expensive, luxurious items such as designer fabrics, elaborate furnishings and Jacuzzis.

5% of Brits admit that they don’t invite friends or family over any more for fear of spillage, while 9% admit that they cannot enjoy themselves properly when entertaining guests because they are so worried about potential damage and spillages.

Meanwhile, 7% admit to covering carpets and upholstery with protective sheets when entertaining. Similarly, 5% say that they have banned red wine in their home and 15% say that they have never held a party in their home, despite enjoying attending the house parties of others.

Nikki Sellers, head of home insurance at esure, said: “The rise in popularity of television shows featuring showcase desirable homes has given rise to a new breed of homeowner driven to create a beautiful abode but almost too scared to enjoy it.