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LavaLife Survey Finds Home Decor Influences Dating

(onlinedatingmagazine.com - August 20, 2003) Wondering why your dates don't return your calls after you bring them home? Blame your sofa. According to LavaLife, 80% of singles are checking out home decor to determine a date's future potential. In a survey sponsored by Atmosphere, a furniture retailer with a uniquely approachable point of view, LavaLife asked more than 25,000 of its users about the influence that home style has in their dating life and the results are clear - home decor can greatly enhance the outcome of a date.

So key, in fact, that 37% of singles have actually fled the scene - cutting a hot date short because of "scary" decor. While not everyone makes such a bold gesture, most do find that a glimpse of a date's home shapes their opinion moving forward. When asked if home decor influences whether they will want to see a person again, 67% said "maybe" professing to feel more relaxed in a well kept home and 13% indicated that if they are 'wowed' they are likely to be more interested. Only 18% said they can "sleep anywhere", although a closer look reveals males (26%) are much more likely to "sleep anywhere" than females (12%).

Conversely, when it comes to their own homes, many singles are less concerned about the impression that decor will make. When asked if their furniture has ever rendered them too embarrassed to bring a date home, 62% indicated that as long as their home is clean, it's fine. Shelley Reich, owner and designer of Atmosphere, disagrees. "The way you choose to furnish your home is so individual that I think it's perhaps one of the most personal, revealing statements you can make about yourself."

"When a couple meets online they can learn a great deal about each other's personalities," says Bruce Croxon, CEO of LavaLife. "But face to face, personal style, be it physical appearance or their home, can make a big impact and say a lot about who they are and where the date may be going."

Planning to spice it up a bit but don't know where to start? Liven up the living room - 47% of singles indicated that this room makes the biggest statement about a date, so ditch the dorm room chic for an updated look. But don't rest there - 26% of singles are checking for a bedroom that looks ready for two, so say goodnight to the trusty bunk bed and get ready for company. Then, onto the kitchen - 19% of singles are ready to get things cooking as long as the kitchen doesn't look like it belongs to the culinary-challenged. On a budget? Save your cash by skipping a dining room redo - only 6% of singles are looking for the great entertainer.

Once a home is redecorated, the next important step is to keep it organized and clean. But never rely on plastic covers to keep the new furnishings fresh - 64% of singles find that a turn-off of "grandma's house" proportions. And for goodness sake, replace that sofa - it's where 63 % of singles are most likely to sit when they visit for the first time.

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