Gardening and upcycling have emerged as the top home improvements for 2022, according to a survey by Shawbrook Bank.
Making furniture from old pallets and adding floating shelves to create storage space were also among the list of top ten interior trends Brits were planning to try out this year.
What’s more, the working from home culture sparked by the Covid lockdowns has also had an influence with 13% of homeowners revealing they were keen to create a home office.
Other interior trends which look set to take off in 2022 include adding wall panelling and decorating with washi tape, a decorative crafting tape which can be used to easily spruce up anything in the home from cups and plant pots to walls and cupboards.
Social media appears to be the place from which homeowners are getting most of their home improvement inspiration, according to the survey.
However, keeping up with the neighbours also remains as an influence, as do programmes they have seen on TV.
How much does it cost?
Sally Conway, head of consumer communications at Shawbrook Bank Personal Loans, said while TV and social media were great places to pick up tips, they rarely explained the real cost of taking on the projects promoted.
As such she advised anyone looking at making home improvements this year to do their research into the finances first.
“Though the jobs might seem straight-forward at first, there can be plenty of hidden costs. That’s why it’s essential to plan ahead before starting any home improvements,” she explained.
“Making sure you’re clear on what needs doing and how much it could cost is key – and not forget to factor in costs that may arise if the jobs go wrong.”
Five tips for financing interiors projects
Sally offered the following financial tips for homeowners who were planning their next home improvement project:
- Set yourself a clear budget and think carefully about all the costs involved.
- Explore different financings options to decide which option is best for you, it could be through savings, a personal loan, or a second charge mortgage for those bigger projects.
- If borrowing money, shop around to find the best rates and make sure you don’t just make your decision based on the headline advertised rate as not everyone will be offered this rate.
- Seek a professional valuation to help understand what the potential return on investment might be from the renovations you have planned.
- Remember to keep your insurer informed of any home improvements or renovations to ensure that your current policy covers any changes in the value of your property.
Top ten home interior trends Britons want to try out (Source: Shawbrook Bank)
| Glamming up the garden | 6. Adding wall panelling features |
| Upcycling antique furniture | 7. Decorating with washi tape |
| Making furniture from old pallets | 8. Creating a giant mirror feature |
| Adding floating shelves | 9. Putting up a pergola |
| Creating a home office | 10. Building an outdoor home office |
