Three in 10 Britons have gone without essential furniture because they could not afford it, according to new research by DFS that surveyed 2,000 adults.
The findings show 55% of people have eaten a meal without a table, while 37% have slept on a mattress without a bed frame. A further 34% have slept on a sofa because they were unable to afford the furniture they needed, and more than one in five (21%) have been forced to sleep on the floor.
Broken and Unsafe Furniture Still in Use
One in four people have continued using furniture that was broken or unsafe because they could not afford replacements. The research also found that one in 10 adults have been without a bed at some point, 15% have gone without a sofa, and 21% have gone without a dining table and chairs.
DFS is highlighting what it describes as the stark reality of furniture poverty for children and families as part of its continuing partnership with BBC Children in Need, serving as the charity's Lead Furniture Partner for Emergency Essentials.
Shame Surrounding Furniture Poverty
Cherie Donnelly, chief people officer at DFS, said: "Furniture poverty is one of those problems that can be happening behind any front door."
She added: "What's particularly concerning is how much shame surrounds it: when people feel too embarrassed to tell even their friends and family that they're struggling, it becomes incredibly easy for the problem to remain hidden."
The furniture retailer has worked with BBC Children in Need since 2013, raising over £8 million during that period. Claire Hoyle, CEO at BBC Children in Need, said the charity is "incredibly grateful" for DFS's continued support.
Impact on Children's Wellbeing
Three quarters of respondents had never encountered the phrase "furniture poverty" before taking part in the research, despite one in seven households potentially living without basic necessities such as beds, sofas, or dining tables.
More than half (53%) of adults said they had never considered that some children in the UK might routinely sleep without their own bed. The OnePoll.com research revealed that 82% of respondents believe lacking a bed could impact a child's sleep, 75% think their mental wellbeing could be compromised, and 71% feel their physical health could be affected.
More than two thirds (67%) believe it could hinder concentration at school, with others highlighting confidence and self-esteem (58%) and behaviour (57%).
The BBC Children in Need Emergency Essentials programme delivers urgently needed household items to children and families living in furniture poverty across the UK, including sofas, beds, cookers, and essential clothing.
Hoyle added: "Together, we want to shine a light on furniture poverty and help more families access the everyday essentials that can have such an important impact on a child's life."
