Decorating
Decorating: 11 Surprising Facts About UK Renovation Habits
Are we moving or renovating? Buying old or building new? And which age group is most likely to decorate? See our surprising survey results
Did you know Welsh homeowners are considerably more likely to undertake outdoor renovations than those based in Greater London, whereas updates to interiors stay fairly consistent throughout the country? For The Houzz & Home Renovation Survey, we asked more than 9,500 UK homeowners about their renovating, construction and decorating habits to find out exactly what they’d been up to with their properties last year. The report shed light on some interesting trends relating to age group, income and region – some we might have guessed at, others more surprising.
What isn’t surprising, though, is the fact that renovating proved far more popular than moving last year. Just 16% of you sold your home in 2014, while 87% undertook decorating projects. Stay tuned to discover what you, your neighbours and your compatriots got up to in 2014.
What isn’t surprising, though, is the fact that renovating proved far more popular than moving last year. Just 16% of you sold your home in 2014, while 87% undertook decorating projects. Stay tuned to discover what you, your neighbours and your compatriots got up to in 2014.
You’re looking for your perfect (professional) match
42% of homeowners identified being unable to find the right service provider as the most common challenge to renovation, whereas staying on budget was the most common challenge for 32% of you.
Find out how to hire the right builder for your project
42% of homeowners identified being unable to find the right service provider as the most common challenge to renovation, whereas staying on budget was the most common challenge for 32% of you.
Find out how to hire the right builder for your project
You need to stamp your personality on your home
Regardless of age, wanting to put your stamp on a newly purchased property was a big driver for all homeowners last year. For those who renovated, 44% identified wanting to customise their new home as the primary reason for the works.
Regardless of age, wanting to put your stamp on a newly purchased property was a big driver for all homeowners last year. For those who renovated, 44% identified wanting to customise their new home as the primary reason for the works.
You (wisely) leave the electrics to the experts
9 out of 10 owners hired a home renovation professional in 2014: 66% sought help from an electrician; 59% called in a plumber; 34% went to a builder and 23% consulted an architect or designer.
It’s easy to find the right professional with Houzz. Search through thousands of local professionals in your area to help with your new project.
9 out of 10 owners hired a home renovation professional in 2014: 66% sought help from an electrician; 59% called in a plumber; 34% went to a builder and 23% consulted an architect or designer.
It’s easy to find the right professional with Houzz. Search through thousands of local professionals in your area to help with your new project.
You just can’t stop renovating!
Our survey revealed that 3 out of 4 homeowners on Houzz undertook some form of home renovation in 2014, or have serious plans to do so this year. Whether it was out of necessity or pure pleasure, if you gave your home an update last year, you certainly weren’t alone.
Our survey revealed that 3 out of 4 homeowners on Houzz undertook some form of home renovation in 2014, or have serious plans to do so this year. Whether it was out of necessity or pure pleasure, if you gave your home an update last year, you certainly weren’t alone.
Reviews are like gold dust
According to the survey, good reviews are the most important factors for homeowners looking to hire a professional. 86% of you based your selection on positive reviews, while 48% of you looked at previous experience with projects of a similar style and scope.
According to the survey, good reviews are the most important factors for homeowners looking to hire a professional. 86% of you based your selection on positive reviews, while 48% of you looked at previous experience with projects of a similar style and scope.
Form follows function
It’s not all about aesthetics, though: for most people, updating their home is about making it function better, too. Design and functionality achieved an average importance rating of 9.1 out of 10.
It’s not all about aesthetics, though: for most people, updating their home is about making it function better, too. Design and functionality achieved an average importance rating of 9.1 out of 10.
You’re forward thinkers
Of homeowners aged 60+ who plan to stay in their current home and who made renovations last year, one in five upgraded their kitchens, and 63% of those had ageing in mind. One in four of the same group renovated their bathrooms, with 57% considering ageing in the design process.
Read more about accessible design
Of homeowners aged 60+ who plan to stay in their current home and who made renovations last year, one in five upgraded their kitchens, and 63% of those had ageing in mind. One in four of the same group renovated their bathrooms, with 57% considering ageing in the design process.
Read more about accessible design
You’re keen to impress your nearest and dearest
Almost half of you cited family and friends as being the most likely group to influence your design decisions, whereas just 27% of you were more likely to be guided by professional advice.
Almost half of you cited family and friends as being the most likely group to influence your design decisions, whereas just 27% of you were more likely to be guided by professional advice.
Self-builders are a small but bold group
The vast majority of people are opting to update current homes or move into existing properties; just 2% undertook a custom- or self-build home in 2014. We applaud that creative and daring minority!
TELL US…
Are any of these UK homeowner habits surprising? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
The vast majority of people are opting to update current homes or move into existing properties; just 2% undertook a custom- or self-build home in 2014. We applaud that creative and daring minority!
TELL US…
Are any of these UK homeowner habits surprising? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Forget bedrooms or bathrooms; of all the projects undertaken by UK homeowners last year, 33% were kitchens and 34% living rooms. Seems like Houzzers are a sociable bunch and would rather spend time and energy on communal spaces.
Discover 12 surprising facts about UK kitchen habits