The housing landscape in the UK is evolving—fast. With the cost of moving rising and a growing desire for comfort and sustainability, home improvement trends in 2025 reflect a shift toward transforming homes into smarter, greener, and more adaptable spaces. Here’s everything you need to know.
Spending on Home Improvements Is Booming—Despite Pressures
Even in the face of economic uncertainty, UK homeowners are investing in their properties. The 2025 Houzz & Home Renovation Trends Study reports that the median renovation spend jumped 26% year-on-year to around £21,440—a clear sign that home upgrades remain a priority.
Over half of UK homeowners (51%) carried out renovations in 2024, and similar appetite continues into 2025, with 60% planning decor updates and 49% aiming for more significant renovation projects.
There’s also data from Checkatrade indicating that large-scale home improvements—like kitchens, bathrooms, and building work—rose sharply in Q1 of 2025, aided by falling labour and materials costs and a busy selling season. For example:
Bathroom renovations jumped 17%, averaging £5,700 per job.
Kitchen works were up 11%, at an average cost of £6,000.
Extensions and structural modifications rose 17%, with an average budget of over £12,000.
Landscaping and outdoor upgrades soared as well, with patios up 58% and landscaping work up 131% quarter-on-quarter
Improve, Don’t Move: More Owners Renovating
A growing number of homeowners are choosing to update their current homes rather than relocate. The “Homes Unhooked 2025” report found that nearly a third of homeowners are now prioritising home improvements over moving.
Top renovation plans include:
Decorating (31%)
Landscaping (21%)
New flooring (12%)
Bathrooms (11%)
Kitchens (11%)
Plus others aiming for energy efficiency, entrance upgrades, and even installing toilets or boilers
Sustainable Upgrades: Energy Efficiency Is King
Sustainability lies at the heart of today’s improvements, driven by environmental concerns and cost savings. The UK government’s Great British Insulation Scheme (GBIS), valid until March 2026, is accelerating retrofits with loft, wall, and floor insulation, potentially saving households £300–£400 annually and significantly cutting emissions.
Meanwhile, homeowners are also upgrading with heat pumps, solar panels, and triple glazing, especially in older homes built before 1940, which make up over half of those being renovated.
This push for greener homes also fuels demand for sustainable refurbishment—minimising waste, upgrading HVAC systems, and retrofitting for better comfort and efficiency.
A striking example is a north London terrace that was retrofitted with solar PV, a battery, and a heat pump to achieve zero energy bills—showcasing how relatively simple upgrades can yield impressive results.
Smart Tech Integration Rising
Smart systems are now a baseline upgrade, not a luxury. Smart lighting, thermostats, energy monitoring, and voice-controlled systems are reaching mainstream adoption. Smart home growth in the UK is projected to rise by ~15% as homeowners seek convenience and efficiency.
Emerging trends include AI voice assistants, centralised control hubs, and advanced HVAC integration. Industry hopes are pinned on interoperability standards like Matter, which aim to simplify connectivity across devices.
Bold Design, Natural Materials & Tile Drenching
Gone are boring neutrals. The biggest interior design Home Improvement trends in 2025 embrace rich colors, luxurious textures, and nature-inspired aesthetics.
Houzz reports a rise in “colour drench”—a bold design where the same colour covers walls, ceilings, and trim (up 142%)—plus growing interest in feature walls and murals.
Tile drenching—using matching tiles across floors and walls—is also gaining popularity, especially in wet rooms. This technique creates a sleek, upscale look with cohesive visual impact.
The Modern Spanish Style aesthetic is making a resurgence too: warm terracotta, textured surfaces, wood elements, and Mediterranean flair are entering UK interiors.
Outdoor Spaces Become Living Areas
With a renewed emphasis on fresh air and functionality, gardens and patios are now extensions of the home. Outdoor upgrades include:
Pergolas, fire pits, landscaping, and integrated lighting
Outdoor kitchens and dining areas
Decks and patios, which saw a Q1 spending jump over 50%
These living spaces are especially attractive to families and remote workers looking for versatility and connection to nature.
Cooling the Home in a Warming Climate
Overheating in homes is becoming a serious issue. Over a third of UK homes are vulnerable to dangerous summer heat, with little effective government regulation to address it.
Leading strategies include:
External shutters
Reflective paints
Improved ventilation and greenery
Exploring air-to-air heat pumps, which offer both heating and cooling, though they’re energy-intensive.
Tackling overheating ensures both comfort and safety as climate risks intensify.
ROI-Driven Extensions & Space-Adding Projects
Making the most of unused space continues to be lucrative. The value of loft conversions or extensions can return up to 25% in added property value. For instance, adding a bedroom and bathroom via loft conversion may nearly pay for itself.
Garage conversions also deliver strong returns—spending a few thousand pounds can add 15%+ to home value if converted into functional living space.
Material Innovation for Exteriors
Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials are surging in popularity. Fibre cement cladding is one such example: it offers the look of wood but with superior weather resistance and energy efficiency—and is chosen by nearly 50% of UK homeowners for durability.
Challenges Ahead: Costs & Bureaucracy
Despite enthusiasm, 2025 poses challenges:
Construction materials are up over 37% since 2020; key items like insulation and concrete have risen 60%
Labour costs are also climbing—electricians up 14%, scaffolding up 9%
Planning permission approvals have dropped by 27%, making major renovations harder to begin.
Homeowners are responding by choosing smaller, permitted works—loft conversions or garden offices—and phasing projects to manage budgets more effectively.
What This Means for Your Renovation Plans
Think strategically: Invest in green tech and ROI-boosting projects.
Smart upgrades count: Small decor or tech improvements can significantly enhance value and livability.
Adapt to climate risks: Prioritise cooling solutions and ventilation.
Plan for boundaries: Anticipate higher costs and delays—break projects into manageable phases.
Final Word
The home improvement trends in 2025 showcase a clear shift toward smarter, greener, and more resilient homes. With focused investment, design innovation, and climate preparedness, your home can be both beautiful and built to last.
Want help fitting these home improvement trends into your budget and lifestyle? Reach out—we’re here to guide your next renovation.
