Brits are planning a flurry of home improvements, with a new bathroom, kitchen and a garden makeover among the top planned projects for the 2026, according to a new survey
The New Year will be filled with a flurry of home improvements, according to a new survey.
Nearly three-quarters of the nation say they are planning a makeover for their homes this year, with a new bathroom, a kitchen revamp and a garden overhaul at the top of the wish list. A fifth of Brits say they want to improve their storage and a similar number fancy tackling the spare room. Other New Year plans include retiling the bathroom, installing new windows and doors and a brave 6 per cent setting their sights on a loft extension. But it’s not just about looks as functionality seems to be a big driver with over a third wanting to make better use of the space, while 15% of those surveyed want to make their homes more energy-efficient while others want to install smart home tech like thermostats, lighting and security.
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Nine in ten (92%) say they’re looking for quick, affordable ways to make their homes feel “new again” without a full renovation, maybe due to the fact that 35% admit they are not very good at DIY. 77% admit their home is in desperate need of modernisation with kitchens (50%), living rooms (41%), bathrooms (41%) and bedrooms (33%) the most in need. In fact, 34% of those in the survey of 2,000 people say they would rather give their home a facelift than have an all expenses paid holiday somewhere exotic, while 30% would rather overhaul their property than invest in a personal trainer for themselves. When it comes to why we want to revamp our homes, 34% are bored with the current look and feel, while a quarter (23%) want to create a better space for working from home.
Paul Bangs, Category Director for Kitchens, Bathrooms, Flooring and Tiles at Wickes, which commissioned the study to mark the launch of its Kitchen and Bathroom sale, said: “Our research shows that Brits are ready to make big changes in 2026, whether it’s a full renovation or a simple refresh. From bold colour updates to modernising kitchens and bathrooms, people want their homes to feel brighter, more functional and more reflective of their personal style. “ This desire for change is reflected in colour choices too with 72% thinking that the trend of using grey, cream and off-white is now out-of-date. Two thirds (64%) go a step further have vowed to “ditch the beige” and add more colour to their interiors, with teal (28%), olive green (27%), duck egg blue (19%), sage (19%), sunshine yellow (17%) and terracotta (17%) the go-to hues. The Top 20 Home Improvements Brits say they are planning for 2026 are:
1. A new bathroom – 31% 2. A kitchen revamp – 23% 3. Paint the kitchen – 19% 4. A garden make-over – 17% 5. Make more storage space – 17% 6. Build an open-plan ‘kitchen-diner-living’ hub – 16% 7. Create an outdoor entertaining space – 13% 8. Install a kitchen island with social seating – 12% 9. A spare room makeover – 12% 10. Install smart home tech – 12% 11. Retile the bathroom – 11% 12. Create a home office – 7% 13. Install new windows and doors – 6% 14. Build a home library – 6% 15. A loft or garage extension – 6% 16. Build a home cinema – 5% 17. Creating a home gym – 5% 18. Build an outdoor kitchen – 4% 19. A bathtub in my bedroom – 3% 20. Cocktail bar / beer tap – 3%
