Discover Just How Often The UK Population Redecorates
Last Modified 04 June 2024 |
First Added 04 April 2024
For many, redecorating is an essential creative outlet, allowing us to treat our homes as a luxurious canvas and make our surroundings more harmonious and reflective of our taste. We surveyed 2,000 people to find out more about how and why they redecorate, their preferred ways of breathing new life into their homes, and what obstacles they may encounter along the way.
How often do people redecorate their homes?
Some people are struck by the inspiration to make a change quite frequently, whereas others relish their carefully curated comforts for years before feeling the need to try something new. For a quarter of the population, redecorating comes in the form of an annual refresh, but for many the need to reinvent and elevate is more frequent.
Nearly 1 in 3 (28%) of Brits aged 25-34 redecorate every six months. Interestingly, men are more likely to want a six-monthly revamp than women, with 21% of men choosing to redecorate within that period compared to 17% of women.
Where are the redecorating hotspots?
Which rooms attract the most redecorating attention?
Our immediate surroundings influence our moods and behaviour every day. As such, the rooms in which we spend the majority of our time tend to be the most popular choices for redecorating - and those rooms may vary with age. For example, those aged 35 and over are far more likely to focus their attention on communal spaces such as the living room or kitchen, whereas the younger demographic (18-34-year-olds) is more likely to prioritise redecorating their bedrooms.
This may be because the perception of what is ‘their space’ grows as people age. When we are young the first room we have any privacy in or control over is usually our bedroom. A bedroom is a sanctuary, and focusing on aesthetically pleasing design and bedroom furniture can help to create a tranquil, mindful ambience.
What are the top reasons for redecorating?
Redecorating focuses on making physical changes to our surroundings and evolving personal style, and the biggest reason for deciding to do so is often psychological. Redecorating is proven to have a positive impact on people’s wellbeing, as it can help to change their relationship with their surroundings. This is supported by the fact that 34% of respondents cited their main reason for redecorating as giving a boost to their mood. By being mindful to use uplifting colours and aesthetically-pleasing furniture, people are infusing their homes with reasons to feel happy.
The second most popular reason for redecorating was to address interior wear and tear (31%). This practical outlook becomes more prevalent as people age - for those aged 45 and over it is the main thing urging them to redecorate. Other reasons, including keeping up with trends, replacing key pieces of furniture and increasing functional space are considered far less important. Though when it comes to staying on trend (15%) and impressing guests (7%), men are more likely to prioritise these reasons than women (9% and 2% respectively).
What’s stopping people from redecorating?
Budget (59%) and lack of time (38%) are key redecorating setbacks, and things that can’t be avoided via shortcuts or quick fixes. However, more interestingly, emotional attachment is a very common obstacle for those aged 18-24. Nearly 1 in 3 (31%) 18-24-year-olds struggle to redecorate for this reason, significantly more than their older counterparts. Perhaps for young people, these emotional ties are also related to growing up and transitioning into adulthood. The older generation may be more comfortable with welcoming a change to their environment, especially one that brings the promise of luxury and comfort.
How do people prefer to redecorate?
With the potential for people to boost their mood through bright, dopamine-inducing colours, is it unsurprising then that introducing a new colour scheme is the most popular way to redecorate (31%)? Experimenting with seamless blends of complementary colours can be a simple yet elegant way to upscale an interior and create an inviting ambience.
Women are more likely to declutter as a form of redecorating than men are, with 20% of women seeing the value of removing things that no longer serve them or support their vision, in order to create a serene environment. Only half as many men feel the same way (10%), though they are more likely to focus on interior design (23%) than women are (16%).
Where does the inspiration to redecorate come from?
Nearly half of all respondents (48%) say that interior design websites are where they find the most redecorating inspiration. Through these websites it’s possible to imagine rooms transformed without any limitations, and find exactly where to procure the tools and furniture they may need.
Of course, they aren’t the only source of inspiration. When it comes to looking for ideas elsewhere, men are more likely to turn to people they know and trust such as friends and family (37%), whereas women are more likely to browse social media (44%). This could suggest men wanting more personal feedback and conversation to help form their ideas, as opposed to women already having a strong design idea in their mind and seeking out images to reinforce their plan.
The younger generation are more likely to be inspired by social media influencers and celebrity homes, whereas those aged 45 and over prefer to use interior design websites - likely already having a strong sense of their own style.
Aiming for cohesion in your style
Feather & Black buyer Laura Burnett advises redecorators to aim for cohesion: “When creating a new atmosphere within a room, you must be able to visualise the potential for refinement and elevation in what has become familiar. Redecorating is as much about changing the essence of a space as it is the belongings within it.
“Tell a story with your decorating choices - find harmony and connection between your choice of textiles, the use of colour, and style of furniture. There is elegance to be found in balance, so it’s important to pay equal attention to each aspect of a room, and not just its standout features."