ABSTRACT
This study examined the design preferences of sitting room accessories using plastic beads in Delta State, Nigeria. The objectives were to identify the types of sitting room accessories that could be produced with plastic beads, determine the different types of plastic beads suitable for production, and establish the preferred designs for these accessories. The study was anchored on Berlyne’s Aesthetic Theory of Design Preference (1971), which explains that human responses to design objects are shaped by sensory perception, novelty, and aesthetic balance. A survey research design was adopted to collect data from a population of 1,418,318 respondents, comprising 1,417,814 family heads, 400 bead designers, and 102 Home Economics lecturers. Using multi-stage sampling, a sample of 400 respondents 300 family heads, 80 bead designers, and 20 lecturers was selected. Data were collected through a validated questionnaire titled Design of Plastic Beads Sitting Room Accessories Questionnaire (DPBSAQ), with a reliability coefficient of 0.74, and analyzed using mean, standard deviation, and ANOVA. Findings revealed that several sitting room accessories such as centre rugs, chair covers, flower vases, wall hangers, and curtains can be effectively produced with plastic beads. Respondents identified transparent, opaque, bugle, CCB, and antique beads as the most suitable types, and preferred multi-coloured, tulip, clay-pot, raindrop, and floral designs. ANOVA results showed no significant difference in design preferences among the respondent groups. The study concluded that plastic beads are cost-effective, durable, and culturally expressive materials for interior décor. It recommended the integration of beadwork into training curricula, artisan empowerment programmes, and local production initiatives to promote sustainable craftsmanship and cultural preservation. Keywords: Design preferences, Plastic beads, Sitting room accessories, Bead craftsmanship.
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