The housing market is slow at the moment, making it difficult for some to sell their home, or at least at a price that they would be willing to sell at. Partly due to this, there has been an increasing trend in the numbers making home improvements instead. Rather than moving to an improved home, they are improving the one that they already live in. So, what are some of the current home improvement trends?
More people appear to be keen on adding character to their home. In recent years having a home that appears to have more character is something that has been deemed more attractive. There are many things that can be done to achieve this, with changes to doors and windows amongst the most popular. Some are brightening doorways to make them more attractive, while adding shutters to windows is a popular addition. These, along with many other alterations, are small changes that can make a big difference to the appearance of a home. Other examples that are fashionable at the moment are changes to lighting fixtures, decorations and doing something different with house numbers.
Outdoor living space is something that is often talked about with regards to home improvement. This isnt just in reference to doing the garden up though, but creating (or improving) the outdoor living space; that is to say outdoor seating areas and outdoor eating areas so the living room and the dining room can be brought outside during the summer. People like to live a more Mediterranean lifestyle. Despite the rainy summers weve had in Britain of late, we enjoy living a more outdoor lifestyle when we can these days. Having somewhere to entertain, or simply relax, is something more of us want.
Colour-wise, white is particularly popular right now. This neutral colour is often preferred, whether it is white walls or white fixtures. White kitchens are a particularly good example of this. The popularity of white is not reflected in soft furnishings, though. Here, colourful furnishing, often with stripes and patterns, are seen as more trendy.
A trend that can be particularly put down to the current housing market is extending the size of a home, with loft extensions common right now. In many cases moving to a larger home may not be realistic, but increasing the size of their current home is possible for some. It is a big job, and not inexpensive, but it is almost guaranteed to increase the value of a home. Typically an extra bedroom and bathroom, or an en-suite bedroom, can be added to a home, turning a three bedroom house into a four bedroom house, for example.
Modern kitchens can add significant value to a home, and be significantly more pleasant to use. There has, therefore, been a rise in the number of people modernising their kitchens. While some are making small changes, others are having theirs completely remodelled. Island units and bold splashbacks are two things that are fashionable at the moment.