While pebble dashing and crazy paving were once seen as the height of sophistication for home improvement, today’s property owners are looking for something a bit more modern, with a home cinema or wet room high on their wish list.
According to a new survey by Anglian Home Improvements, nearly half (44 per cent) of property owners would add a state-of-the-art entertainment zone to their house if they could, while 43 per cent would like to add a wet room.
At the top of the wish list were home improvements that help to bring the outside in, such as bi-fold doors and conservatories (58 per cent).
Despite the decline of traditional family mealtimes and the trend for an open plan layout, 56 per cent of respondents said they would like a separate dining room.
Other must-have home improvements include decking, a dressing room, open plan living and a gym.
Meanwhile, pebble dashing, crazy paving and coloured bathroom suites now top the list of home improvements we hate the most.
The survey of over 2,000 homeowners was commissioned by Anglian Home Improvements to mark its 50th anniversary and looks at how our tastes in home improvements and the way we use our homes has changed over the past 50 years.
While technological advances in home appliances, telecommunications and IT have made a significant change to the way we live, the majority of respondents ranked central heating as the most positive change to the home over the last 50 years. This was followed by indoor toilets, running hot water and better insulated windows.
Whereas respondents said the cooking space (30 per cent) and washing areas (27 per cent) were the key areas for home improvements 50 years ago, homeowners in 2015 are focused primarily on improving their entertaining space (26 per cent), followed by areas for cooking (25 per cent) and relaxing (17 per cent).
This suggests that the role of the home has evolved from being shelter that fulfils basic needs to a multi-functional leisure space.
The main reason cited for why people make improvements to their homes was adding monetary value (47 per cent). Three out of ten (30 per cent) said it was to save costs and a similar number (28 per cent) said it was more cost effective than moving house.
Looking to the future, those questioned believe that with technological advances homes will become smarter (50 per cent) and more energy efficient (30 per cent). Other innovations predicted to become popular in the home include robot cleaners and fridges that automatically do the weekly food shop.
Melanie McDonald of Anglian Home Improvements, said: “It is interesting to observe just how much our tastes and preferences have changed in a relatively short amount of time. One thing is for sure – the desire to improve our homes has increased over the years as homeowners seek to make their homes warmer, more comfortable and more energy efficient.”
