Top UK Home Improvement and DIY Trends 2021
Lockdowns and working from home over 2021 changed our disposable income spending habits. Unable to go out to events, restaurants and pubs, Brits instead turned their attention towards the domestic, spending £40.6 billion on items to make time at home more enjoyable. Every month, 5.4 million search Google for topics relating to DIY and 259,100 for home improvements. What specific household items and DIY home improvement trends have defined our purchasing habits in 2021?
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The Top 30 Home Improvement Items of 2021
| Search Trend | YOY % Change | YOY Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Air Fryer | 96.36% | 1,326,595 |
| Home Wind Turbine | 90.03% | 22,422 |
| Draft Excluders | 87.55% | 17,750 |
| Air Heat Pump | 67.43% | 10,886 |
| Candles in Glass | 65.23% | 4,207 |
| Ground Source Heat Pump | 65.18% | 55,718 |
| Luxury Candles | 36.71% | 13,277 |
| Seesaw | 32.59% | 3,024,887 |
| Condenser Tumble Dryer | 30.32% | 136,028 |
| Garden Furniture | 28.44% | 3,371,437 |
| Integrated Fridges | 22.26% | 30,268 |
| Electric Fireplace | 21.82% | 175,888 |
| Gaming Consoles | 21.51% | 13,891 |
| Reclining Sofas | 19.42% | 34,414 |
| Induction Hob | 18.74% | 92,834 |
| Dehumidifier | 16.67% | 174,712 |
| Dinner Set | 15.58% | 152,125 |
| Solar Panels | 14.71% | 72,470 |
| Slabs for Garden | 14.02% | 43,912 |
| Coffee Machine | 13.62% | 250,294 |
| Bathroom Lights | 13.42% | 79,954 |
| Side Table | 13.27% | 120,933 |
| Mini Fridge | 13.12% | 195,558 |
| Console Table | 13.07% | 150,038 |
| Bathroom Tiles | 10.61% | 102,192 |
| Sofa Bed | 10.56% | 315,617 |
| Mattress Topper | 9.57% | 72,817 |
| Sofas | 9.12% | 316,545 |
| Gazebos | 8.93% | 420,354 |
| Ceiling Lights | 7.26% | 134,961 |
In 2021, Brits are upgrading their time at home across the board. Millions are enjoying delicious home-cooked meals with new air fryers and induction hobs. Saving money while staying warm is a priority during winter months, with home wind turbines, draft excluders, air heat pumps and ground source heat pumps all among our top 10 home improvement items. And thousands of us are enjoying an ambient atmosphere at home with luxury and glass candles.
The Top 30 DIY Home Improvement Trends of 2021
| Search Trend | Monthly Search Volume |
|---|---|
| DIY Kitchens | 90,500 |
| Furniture Restoration | 4,400 |
| DIY Garden Ideas | 3,600 |
| DIY Wall Panels | 3,600 |
| DIY Bird Feeder | 2,900 |
| DIY Fire Pit | 2,900 |
| DIY Panelling | 2,900 |
| DIY Conservatory | 2,400 |
| DIY Greenhouse | 2,400 |
| DIY Pergola | 2,400 |
| DIY Pizza Oven | 2,400 |
| DIY Shutters | 2,400 |
| DIY Tiles | 2,400 |
| DIY Built-In Wardrobes | 1,900 |
| DIY Fitted Wardrobes | 1,900 |
| DIY Garden Bar Ideas | 1,900 |
| DIY Garden Furniture | 1,900 |
| DIY Headboard | 1,900 |
| DIY Wardrobe | 1,900 |
| DIY Desk | 1,600 |
| DIY Garden Room | 1,600 |
| DIY Hot Tub Shelters | 1,600 |
| DIY Shed | 1,600 |
| DIY Shelves | 1,600 |
| DIY Water Feature | 1,600 |
| DIY Air Conditioner | 1,300 |
| DIY Bar | 1,300 |
| DIY BBQ | 1,300 |
| DIY Deck | 1,300 |
| DIY Hot Tub | 1,300 |
| DIY Loft Conversion | 1,300 |
| DIY Paint | 880 |
Over 2021, those with a flair for DIY have taken on extra projects to keep themselves busy and upgrade their home. Spending outside during summer has been a key focus, with thousands searching online for DIY garden ideas, DIY bird feeders, DIY fire pits and more. And following the success of Bridgerton, many took to the internet to learn how to try their hand at DIY wall panelling and furniture restoration.
However, the biggest DIY home improvement trend by far is DIY kitchens. 90,500 of us search for DIY kitchens every month to find inspiration, products, tips and how-to guides for this essential hub of the house.
The Top 30 Interior Design Trends of 2021
| Search Trend | Monthly Search Volume |
|---|---|
| Cottagecore | 49,500 |
| Marble Wallpaper | 27,100 |
| Marble Coffee Table | 22,200 |
| Marble Dining Table | 22,200 |
| Wall Murals | 18,100 |
| Marble Table | 9,900 |
| Marble Tiles | 9,900 |
| Marble Side Table | 8,100 |
| Yellow and Grey Wallpaper | 6,600 |
| Marble Flooring | 6,600 |
| Marble Table and Chairs | 6,600 |
| Marble Worktops | 6,600 |
| Black Marble | 5,400 |
| Grey and Yellow Bedroom | 3,600 |
| Grey and Yellow Living Room | 3,600 |
| Grey and Yellow Rug | 3,600 |
| Yellow and Grey Curtains | 3,600 |
| Cottagecore Wallpaper | 2,400 |
| Mall Mural Wallpaper | 2,400 |
| Cottagecore Bedroom | 1,900 |
| Bedroom Wall Murals | 1,900 |
| Yellow and Grey Bedding | 1,900 |
| Yellow and Grey Cushions | 1,900 |
| Maximalist Decor | 1,600 |
| Kids Wall Mural | 1,300 |
| Yellow and Grey Wall Art | 1,300 |
| Cottagecore Room | 1,000 |
| Grey and Yellow Bathroom | 880 |
| Grey and Yellow Kitchen | 880 |
| Regency Carpets | 720 |
Marble tables, wall murals and Pantone’s colours of the year, yellow and grey, are in high demand among homeowners redecorating in 2021. But when it comes to our favourite interior design trend, cottagecore comes on top.
Cottagecore embraces connecting with nature and sustainable living: think houseplants, rustic furniture and neutral palettes. Nearly 50,000 Brits search online for cottagecore inspiration and items per month and the trend has a total of 8.1 billion TikTok views.
Which UK city undertakes the most home improvements?
Some locations have been investing in home improvements more than others. Here are the top places undertaking home improvements in the UK:
| City | Interest in Home Improvement* |
|---|---|
| Bournemouth | 82 |
| Derby | 82 |
| Watford | 80 |
| Stoke-on-Trent | 77 |
| Bolton | 75 |
| Glasgow | 75 |
| Northampton | 74 |
| Portsmouth | 72 |
| Hull | 71 |
| Southampton | 69 |
| Leeds | 69 |
| Peterborough | 68 |
| Liverpool | 68 |
| Birmingham | 66 |
| Croydon | 65 |
| Luton | 65 |
| Edinburgh | 64 |
| Norwich | 63 |
| Sheffield | 63 |
| Bristol | 62 |
| Cardiff | 62 |
| Manchester | 60 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne | 58 |
| Leicester | 58 |
| Belfast | 58 |
| London | 58 |
| Brighton | 57 |
| Plymouth | 56 |
| Brentford | 55 |
| Reading | 55 |
| Aberdeen | 55 |
| Ilford | 55 |
| Nottingham | 50 |
| Cambridge | 43 |
| Thames Ditton | 41 |
*Scores based on Google Trends data where 100 is the most interested a location can be.
Home improvement trends have changed since lockdown ended
Online interest in ‘home improvement’ has steadily slowed over 2021. Interest peaked in February amid the UK’s lockdown, and since then has slowly declined by 80% towards the end of October.
“Freedom Day” on July 19th 2021 certainly made an impact, causing a 34% plummet in demand for home improvement items in just two weeks. In the period since “Freedom Day”, total online interest in home improvement items has been 31.6 million lower (-16.9%) than the same period in 2020. With the outside world once again opening its doors, attention has moved away from the home and towards spending money on clothes, events, restaurants and bars.
Can you invest in home improvements if you live in a Shared Ownership home?
If you decide to buy a Shared Ownership home, also known as part-buy part-rent, don’t feel that you’ll be missing out. Unlike renters, Shared Ownership buyers can still make their mark on a property. As a shared owner, you can decorate your home as you wish, while renovations and larger works can be undertaken with approval from your housing provider.
Are you looking for a Shared Ownership home to make your mark on?
Share to Buy is the online home of Shared Ownership. Easily browse our extensive database of Shared Ownership properties across the country and start your journey towards homeownership.
Method & Sources
Home improvement trends based on MediaVision’s Digital Demand Tracker and Google Trends. DIY trends, interior design trends and overall search volumes based on SEMRush data.