44% of Americans refrain from decorating with personal photos

By Aleksandra Vayntraub // SWNS

NEWS COPY w/ VIDEO + INFOGRAPHIC

Style forecasters may be predicting the end of minimalism, but Americans are still saying “less is more,” new research suggests.

A recent survey of 2,000 general population Americans found that nearly three in five describe their home decor style as “minimalist,” compared to only three in ten who use the term “maximalist.”

It’s no wonder, then, that people are selective about the art they display, choosing to showcase art that represents something meaningful to them (51%) over pieces that match their decor (39%) or serve as a talking point (38%).

Fifty-three percent said they have artwork of nature and landscapes in their home, more than those with art depicting people (45%) and animals (39%).

How much art is too much? On average, respondents said that seven pieces a room is more than enough.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Canvaspop, the study also looked into the personality differences between self-identified minimalists and maximalists.

Maximalists were much more likely to refer to themselves as “creative” (41% vs 29%) and be satisfied with their lives (83% vs 70%) compared to minimalists.

And while selfies may be fun on social media, 44% of those polled professed a reluctance to using personal photos in their home decor.

Half are self-conscious about their appearance, and 45% said they don’t have quality photos or many recent ones to choose from.

Forty-six percent revealed they’re self-conscious about the art in their homes in general. The biggest reason? It feels too large or too small for their living space (54%).

Of the 834 respondents who feel lost when it comes to art and decor, nearly three in five said the biggest challenges are finding art/decor for their small living space, while half are overwhelmed by the number of options to choose from.

“Our results confirm a common dilemma — it can be tricky to find art and decor you enjoy that also maintains the balance in large or small spaces,” said Brittany Norris, Director of Brand Marketing for Canvaspop. “When choosing home decor, it’s important to note the size of your room before making a purchase.”

Having a balanced living space is often associated with an inner sense of harmony, so it’s no surprise that creating a relaxing space is at the forefront of respondents’ minds (63%), more so than one that’s functional (47%) or luxurious (26%).

But trends can be important, too. Despite their love for minimalism, 54% think having blank walls and a single plant is “so 2010.”

“Whether you’re big on the latest online craze or have a consistent, timeless style, there are plenty of ways to freshen up your decor with the images most meaningful to you,” Norris added.

WHAT ART DO PEOPLE DISPLAY IN THEIR HOMES?

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