The current combination of a sluggish housing market and the pressing cost of living increases has led to a trend where homeowners are more inclined to improve on their current home, rather than move house.
Research indicates a striking 77% of Scottish homeowners are leaning towards investing in home improvements rather than putting their homes on the market given the tough economic environment.
Whether it be garden offices or loft conversions, home owners are clearly prepared to splash out in order to upgrade their current accommodation.
To be fair this inclination towards upgrading existing homes is becoming increasingly common throughout all of the UK.
The Top Home Enhancement Trends In Scotland
Renovations of Garages
Planning requests for garage conversions, to create workspaces or extra living areas surged by 25%, with an impressive 50% increase in Scotland. Indicating a significant shift in homeowner preferences in the region.
Landscaping and Garden Structures
Interest in enhancing outdoor spaces is on the rise, with a 7.5% increase in planning submissions for garden structures, signaling a shift towards embracing outdoor living.
Although this figure seems modest, it doesn’t fully capture the scale of garden room installations, as many projects didn’t require formal permits.
Home Extensions
Eternally popular are home externsion projects. Those that necessitate planning approvals represented 81.7% of all submissions, displaying a growth of 4.3%.
Home Offices
Following the pandemic in 2020, an increased number of people started working from home. While doing so has many benefits, working from a kitchen table or busy living space isn’t always the most productive or long term solution.
So adding a new home office or installing an office in the garden can be a great idea for anyone working from home. And that’s what lots of Scottish home workers have been doing.
However, waning in popularity has been sunrooms. The once-popular sunroom appears to be losing ground to the more contemporary garden office or room, as evidenced by a 21% decline in the number of planning applications for sunrooms.
Opting for home improvements over moving can be advantageous due to the high costs and stress associated with relocating.
Stamp duty, estate agent fees, and moving expenses add up quickly, making renovations a cost-effective alternative.
Enhancing your existing home allows for bespoke customization to suit your evolving needs and tastes, without the hassle of changing schools, doctors, or commutes.
Moreover, strategic upgrades like conversions or extensions can significantly increase your property’s value.
Home improvements not only make financial sense but also enrich your quality of life by creating your ideal living space without the upheaval of moving.
