Forget home working – let’s cook! That’s what UK homeowners seem to be saying if the latest research into home renovation plans are anything to go by.
While there has been a major trend for creating home offices, interest appears to be turning towards more pleasurable pursuits with kitchens topping the list for planned renovations.
A survey of UK homeowners who are intending to move, extend or convert their property over the next 18 months by price comparison website Local Surveyors Direct (LSD), has uncovered the nation’s home renovation plans for 2022.
It reveals that kitchens topped the list of home renovations planned for this year with fewer homeowners intending to create a home office.
A whopping majority of respondents (92%) in the LSD 2022 home renovation survey said they have renovation priorities for 2022.
From a list of 22 refurbishments including lofts, basements and windows, kitchens came out top (30%) with only 14% choosing home offices as an option for 2022.
Of those intending to complete home renovations, the majority (68%) are planning to spend over £2,500 up to £10,000 over the next 18 months, while over half of all those surveyed (57%) intend on doing some of the work themselves.
More time at home
JJ Heath-Caldwell, managing director at Local Surveyors Direct, said: “Enquiries to our website have continued to grow substantially in recent years, particularly since the pandemic, so we know the UK still has a love for home renovation projects.
“Although some might find it surprising that a home office is not as popular for 2022, we put it down to the fact that people are now looking to improve for pleasure, knowing that with the uncertainty caused by the pandemic, they may well spend more time at home in years to come.”
Garden renovation comes second on the list of home improvements, with 29% of those surveyed planning work on their gardens in 2022.
Reflecting the trend for a new generation of gardening enthusiasts, a fraction more
25 to 34-year-olds (31%) plan to complete a garden renovation in 2022 compared with those in the 55+ age bracket (27%).
Leisure space
Elsewhere, the survey showed that the experience of the pandemic has not been forgotten.
When asked what would be most important if choosing a different property to live in now, leisure space (e.g. conservatory, garden room, gym area, hobby room) topped the list of options (20%), along with room to extend or convert the property (19%).
When Scots were asked what renovations they had planned for 2022, top of the list was the kitchen with the garden and bathroom close behind.
When asked what was most important when undertaking renovations, 72% of people in Scotland said cost, with 34% citing availability of tradespeople and 21% saying sustainability.
