Why 'slow DIY' is the exterior trend to embrace in 2026

With shifting seasonal trends and the powerful influence of social media, Brits are feeling the pressure to rush DIY projects to keep up with the latest aesthetics. 

This may result in a lack of consideration regarding the quality and durability of products selected, something which can, in the long-term, result in additional expenses as well as time and effort. 

To help homeowners, Jack Reading from Emperor Paint, has explained what 'slow DIY' is and how it is the perfect mindset to adopt in 2026. 

What is 'slow DIY'? 

In the interiors space, 'slow decorating' refers to the process of decorating with quality and meaningful decisions, rather than cheaply. Searches on Pinterest for 'slow decorating' have increased by 100% in the last year, demonstrating a growing interest in the approach.[1]

When it comes to adopting this mindset for your home's exterior, 'Slow DIY' is all about being intentional with the products you select to carry out a job, to ensure exceptional results for the long-term. 

Why is 'slow DIY' the perfect mindset to adopt in 2026?

By adopting the 'slow DIY' mindset, and avoiding quick fixes, this will save you time and money, improve your health and safety and benefit the environment:

1. Saves you time and effort 

The first step of 'Slow DIY' is to spend time researching the best products for the job which will give a high quality finish, built to stand the test of time. This will help to ensure that you do not waste your efforts carrying out a DIY job more times than it needs to be done. It's all about doing the job once and doing it right. 

2. Saves you money 

Thoughtful research when choosing products for your DIY job will help to prevent any wasted money on incompatible products, as well as excessive quantities to carry out the job. 

The lifetime cost for purchasing durable products, such as super hydrophobic paint, also works out cheaper than opting to repeatedly buy short-term solutions. 

There's also a benefit that surprises most homeowners. Wet walls lose heat much faster than dry ones, so many homes use more energy than they need to. The right masonry paint is designed to stop moisture getting in, keeping the wall dry. When a wall stays dry, the home can remain around 6 degrees warmer, on average, reducing energy use and ultimately saving you money. 

3. Benefits the environment 

'Slow DIY' benefits the environment as it reduces your carbon footprint. By choosing products with longevity in mind, this means less energy and emissions associated with the manufacturing and transportation of products that need to be repeatedly purchased. 

When opting for an exterior paint, meaningful environmental benefits go beyond the usual factors people associate with paint, like low VOC's or water-based formulations. The biggest difference comes from longevity: when an exterior paint lasts decades, rather than a few years, less waste is created.

4. Improves safety 

DIY jobs come with their own set of different safety hazards. A simple way to reduce risks is to reduce the number of times riskier jobs are carried out. For instance, if you are painting the exterior of your home, using a quality product will mean that you will only need to use ladders or scaffolding to carry out the job, once every 25 years, rather than every two to three years.

5. Benefits your health

Opting for high-quality products can come with numerous health benefits. For instance, selecting a super hydrophobic paint will prevent water from seeping inside your home, helping to protect your walls from penetrating damp, which can produce allergens, irritants, mould spores and other toxins, which are harmful to your health.

Emperor Paint has shared how 'slow DIY' can benefit you and your home. To find the right products for your project, check out the Emperor Paint quiz here.