Post Office Money claims that UK homeowners have collectively spent £295 billion renovating their homes since 2015. But a study by Independent Network powered by VEKA found that, on average, our homes are five years away from being considered finished. Nick Cowley, managing director at windows and doors manufacturer Euramax, looks at why the UK’s homes seem to be lacking their finishing touches.
In VEKA’s survey of 2,000 homeowners, 71 per cent admitted their homes are more important to them than ever before, with painting, revamping the garden and decorating the living room top of the nation’s ‘to-do’ lists. The research also found that 85 per cent say there are more jobs to be done in their homes in 2020. Despite this apparent completion, 39 per cent think their homes will never be truly finished.
Constantly evolving
The 1980s and 90s saw fringed sofas and patterned carpets as the ‘must have’ styles in UK homes. Fast forward to today, and it’s a rarity to find such décor in any home. Trends have constantly influenced how our homes look — such as colours, gadgets and material choices. Because of this, we find ourselves in a constant cycle of redecorating our homes to meet new trends and preferences.
Just as design trends influence our style of home, societal changes have also encouraged the shift in why more people carry out home improvements. The increased time spent at home and in our gardens has caused homeowners to be more conscious of their home’s appearance.
On average, areas of our home are updated around every five years, potentially costing thousands of pounds overall. So, how can homeowners make significant and lasting changes to their home, without the need for regular redecorating?
Landscaping
With so many people confined to their homes in 2020, gardens have provided a haven to escape and relax. This increased use has opened up opportunities to tidy, refurbish and redecorate. Like our homes, gardens are usually updated every five years, but homeowners could consider making a more lasting impact.
Landscaping the garden to create a new layout is one way to avoid constantly changing your outdoor area. Using a mix of materials to create paths, walls and raised beds will add structure and personality to an outdoor space, while providing functionality. To create a space for relaxation as well as practicality, installing structural features such as pergolas is also becoming a rising trend.
Traditionally, pergolas were purposefully designed with framework that encouraged plants to grow and climb around their beams. Today their minimalist structure matches the aesthetics of the modern gardener, and the desire for simple and clean structures has eliminated the idea of plants growing freely across pergola roofs. Instead, contemporary pergolas can be fitted with sleek garden canopies to offer privacy and shelter.
Windows and doors
The design potential that windows and doors can offer is highly underrated. Many of us will settle for the windows and doors already in our property and never seek to change their style or colour. Windows and doors are necessary features, so it’s important to consider their style and quality. Upgrading these assets is also an easy way to enhance both the interior and exterior of a home.
While material choice has favoured standard white PVCu over the years, choosing a colour that will compliment your interior and exterior décor can make a huge impact to your home. Euramax offers a range of window and door styles in six colours: Anthracite grey, golden oak, white, Chartwell green, red and black.
The average windows are replaced every eight years, however Euramax’s products come with a ten-year guarantee to ensure upgrades last for longer.
With trends constantly influencing our home décor choices, it’s no surprise that many feel their home is five years from completion. Opting for longer lasting investments such as landscaping and replacing windows and doors could get you closer to your finished home.