Instagram is a fantastic tool for gaining inspiration for your home – in fact, over 84 percent of homeowners say that social media is useful in giving inspiration and advice on styling their properties.
We were interested in finding out more about the effect social media has on how we view our homes, so we asked 1,500 homeowners a series of questions on the topic to find out.
The Insta-Home Effect
Surprisingly, over half of those we researched feel dissatisfied with their homes after looking at images of other people’s houses on Instagram. Less than a third of people are completely satisfied with the appearance of their current home and a whopping 83 percent of those who are displeased with their home admit to feeling this way more than once a month after scrolling through Instagram. One in ten admitted to feeling critical of their own home several times a day after comparing with other properties on Instagram.
So, is social media to blame for all this?
According to Chartered Psychologist, Dr David Lewis, social media is causing a phenomenon among homeowners, known as ‘Home Dysmorphic Disorder’ (HDD).
What is ‘Home Dysmorphic Disorder’ (HDD)?
The findings describe people having an unrealistic idea of what their home should look like, spending time worrying about flaws which would be unnoticeable to others, whilst feeling pressure to maintain a certain appearance in their home and being self-conscious of it in front of visitors. This is HDD.
What does the expert say?
Dr David Lewis explains:
“Home provides us with three vitally important psychological benefits. Firstly, it is our sanctuary from the world. A refuge where we feel safe and secure. Secondly, by our choice of ornaments, furniture and decorations, it becomes an extension of our self-image. Finally, it is our shop window to the world. An outward and visible display of the way we want others to see and judge us. This challenged when we are exposed, especially through social media such as Instagram, to the choices of others.
The more comparisons we are able to make with the ways others present themselves to the world, the greater the dissatisfaction we may feel with our own surroundings. The more individuals worry about what friends, neighbours, and colleagues think of them, and this is more likely to be a concern for younger than older people, the greater their dissatisfaction.
The problem is, changing one small item in a room can lead to an overwhelming desire to make major changes to their environment. This is sometimes known as the ‘Diderot Effect’ after the French writer who, given a new dressing gown as a birthday present, became unhappy about his other nightclothes, then with the curtains and finally with the furniture itself. In the end, he completely redecorated and refurnished the whole house!
The ‘Diderot Effect’ typically starts with discontent about one, often minor, feature - such as an ornament, picture or item of furniture. It then quickly spreads, like an oil slick, to trigger unhappiness with the whole room or even the entire house. It is an increasingly common mindset that can be described as ‘Home Dysmorphic Disorder’ (HDD).”
What’s the solution?
It’s important to remember that the perfect homes we see on Instagram are not always a true reflection of the homes that people live their lives in.
Our work is centred on helping people release the living potential of their houses to create a beautiful as well as functional family home. We know how key natural light is for healthy happy homes – and a great Instagram photo – and we deliver this in abundance.
Houses are not just staged Instagram sets, they need to function as working family homes too, and be a great and happy place to live.
Our campaign is encouraging people to share un-styled images of their homes to help counter feelings of HDD and celebrate family homes in all their real glory.
Get Involved
Join the conversation and celebrate homes as places to live life to the fullest by posting pictures of your home without any filters #InstaReality and #OriginInstaReality on social media. Follow Origin on Instagram.
