Renovation Nation: UK Homeowners Spend £21 Billion On Renovations in 2021

Olivia Morris
Authored by Olivia Morris
Posted: Monday, February 7, 2022 - 11:29
  • Three-quarters (77%) of UK homeowners have invested in their property this year

  • Over half (51%) of UK homeowners said COVID-19 has played a role their decision to invest in their property

  • One in five UK homeowners have spent the majority of their home improvement money on their garden

The annual Renovation Nation Report by the consumer spending experts at money.co.uk has found the average UK homeowner has spent £1,473 on home renovations, furnishing and DIY projects this year.

What part of the home have UK homeowners spent the most money on?

After almost a year of being confined to our homes, it’s perhaps unsurprising that one in five (20%) of UK homeowners have spent the majority of their home improvement money on their garden.

Area of the home UK homeowners have spent the most money on

Percentage

Garden

20%

Living room

17%

Bedroom

14%

Kitchen

14%

Bathroom

9%

Dining Room

3%

Study/office

3%

Roof

3%

Conservatory

2%

Garage/garage conversion

2%

Loft/attic

2%

Balcony

1%

Basement

1%

Annexe

1%

Our love of gardening has blossomed during and following the pandemic. When asked what home projects they’d invest in if money were no object, a third (32%) of respondents said a garden summer house or work studio and almost a fifth (18%) said a greenhouse or vegetable patch.

This green-fingered trend could be seen across the age groups, with the exception of Gen Z who claimed their kitchen was the room they’d spent the most on in 2021, and a home gym would be the top priority if money were no object.

Which area of the home would Brits invest in if money were no object?

If money was no object, which home projects would you consider investing in, as a direct result of the pandemic, if any? 

Area of the home

Percentage of respondents

Garden summer house/work studio

31.62%

Greenhouse/vegetable patch

17.86%

Indoor gym

17.21%

Leisure room

15.76%

Office

12.52%

Outdoor/indoor pub or bar

12.07%

More walls/rooms for more privacy

8.28%

Other, please specify

8.18%

Bike storage

7.28%

Classroom

3.39%

Top home furnishing purchases in 2021

Furniture / Home Accessory

Percentage of respondents

Lamps/Lighting

41%

Cushions

40%

Curtains/Blinds

39%

Mattress

30%

Artwork

29%

Sofa/Armchair

28%

Bookcases/shelving

28%

Bed

28%

Vases

27%

Clocks

26%

Storage cabinet

26%

Office chair

24%

Top 5 retailers to purchase furniture in 2021

Retailer

Percentage of respondents

Ikea

27.03%

Dunelm

27.03%

Next

17.13%

The Range

17.13%

John Lewis

16.47%

How have UK homeowners funded their renovation projects?

The majority of UK homeowners have used some form of savings as a way of funding their home improvements, with 20% using money originally intended for holidays.

Seven percent of UK homeowners have used funds originally intended to purchase a car, and 5% using cash originally intended for an engagement ring.

Why are UK homeowners investing in their properties?

While over half of UK homeowners may have cited the pandemic playing a significant role in their decision to dabble with DIY, money.co.uk were also interested in finding out the reason why so many of us are spending time and money on our homes in 2021.

Over a quarter (27%) of those asked said that spending less money on going out had given them more money to spend on their homes and over a fifth (22%) cited wanting to increase the value of their home.

Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at money.co.uk comments on the study:

“DIY and home renovations was a trend that boomed during the pandemic - a way for many of us to pass the time and spruce up the space we were living in when we were confined to our homes. 

“Although restrictions have eased and normal life has almost fully resumed, our research shows that many UK homeowners are still continuing to renovate and invest in their properties. We found that despite a relatively rainy summer, gardens have taken the top spot on many people’s DIY to-do list - which is potentially a long-term knock-on effect of the months in lockdown.

“While some renovations like a fresh coat of paint can be relatively cheap, some larger home makeover projects can cost several thousands of pounds. One potential way to finance your home renovation project is by securing a loan. However, it’s important to consider if you can afford the loan, how you intend to repay it and the implications on your credit score if you can’t keep up the repayments.”

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