Homeowners are making a marked return to comfort in their interior choices, with soft furnishings, carpet and curtains back at the top of the shopping list, a house builder reports.

Customers at Linden’s dedicated interior design store are less concerned with achieving the sleek, minimalist look which has been so popular in recent years and are instead choosing soft, warm interior furnishings which will make their home a more comfortable and welcoming place to live.

There has been a noticeable change over recent months in flooring preferences, with customers moving away from laminate/wooden floors throughout their homes and instead returning to the use of carpet in the bedrooms, hallways and living room.

Cold white is no longer the top choice for wall coverings, with customers instead opting for warmer blank canvas colours such as Gardenia, with a hint of yellow or pink, resulting in a more inviting overall look.

Curtains are also making a comeback in the living areas, replacing blinds as the top choice as people seek out a more cosy, homely feel. Sales of cushions, rugs and other soft furnishings are also on the up.

Sleek, contemporary styles are still top priority in the kitchens and bathrooms however, with modern glass ceramic hobs and stainless steel extractor hoods in the kitchens, and fresh white sanitaryware the most popular choice for bathrooms. Heated towel rails and wall hung flat screen televisions do add the comfort factor.

Linden chief executive, Philip Davies said: “The days of harsh white walls, wooden flooring throughout and stainless steel accessories seem to be over as people seek a return to cosier, warmer and more comfortable interiors.”

“Energy-efficiency is also fast becoming a priority for homeowners with low-energy lighting, water butts and even compost butts now on the majority of customers’ shopping lists.”