Despite the energy crisis and falling house prices, people are still doing their bit to improve their homes.
They’re spending money on repairs, as well as small upgrades that will make a big impact on their home’s aesthetic and feel.
The top home improvement trends for this year include kitchen and bathroom remodelling, home work spaces, storage solutions and outdoor spaces.
Learn about them to determine which ones will work best for you and your family in the coming year
2023 sees us re evaluating our homes, what they mean to us and how to use each space effectively.
Whereas our houses were just a place to come home to after working in an office, for example, they are now becoming places of work.
With the rising of interest rates, high petrol prices, the war on cars most local councils seem to be engaged in, and the emergence of remote working, things are changing.
I, the author, have been involved in home improvement, both here in the UK and overseas, since 1986 and I have seen trends come and go, some good, some poorly thought out ideas too, but what does this year have in store for us?
Let’s start with a fairly obvious improvement.
Kitchens are always a popular home Improvement and they can add value to your home too.
Kitchens are a popular area of the home to be remodelled because they are usually where families spend most of their time cooking and eating together.
If you go to a party at someone’s house, where does everyone congregate? Yes, the kitchen!
They also impact the resale value of the home, so it is important to make sure your kitchen is up to date with the latest trends.
In 2023, the most common kitchen renovations include updating cabinets and countertops. These are simple changes that can make a big difference in how your kitchen looks and works.
Cabinets made of wood are an increasingly popular choice, particularly in light and medium tones.
White oak is a popular choice, but walnut and other natural woods are also popular options.
Blue and green are also trending for cabinetry. These hues combine well with brass finishes, creating a warm, rich look.
If money is tight, you don’t have to completely rip out the old kitchen, you can simply replace the worktops and the drawer and cabinet fronts only, which will make a huge difference.
These colours are perfect for homeowners who prefer a more relaxed, natural feel in their home.
They can create a warm and inviting environment that is reminiscent of a tropical getaway.
In addition to blues and greens, another colour that is gaining popularity in homes this year is yellow.
This is a great option for those who want to add a little more colour to their space, and it’s also a very bright and cheerful hue that fits in perfectly with the euphoric mood of 2023.
Bring colour to your home, and to your life
This trend is ideal for homeowners who want to add a little colour and personality to their kitchens without adding too much colour. It is also a great choice for those who are looking to update their kitchens on a budget.
Another major home improvement trend for 2023 is the addition of smart technology to kitchens.
This includes appliances that can be controlled remotely and with the help of a smartphone. These types of appliances can save homeowners time and energy, although to be honest and speaking personally, I would not WANT my toaster to be hooked up to the internet!
Finally, a move towards sustainability is making a big splash this year. Cork flooring is one of the biggest home reno trends this year thanks to its eco credentials and heat-retaining properties.
There is also a cork-based exterior wall coating being sold now, called CorkSol, although I cannot tell you much about it as I have not used the system.
Cork flooring is a great option for those who don’t want to invest in carpet, but still want a hardy, durable floor that will stand up to heavy traffic. This is especially important if you have children who may be tempted to run around the house and cause damage to floors.
This sort of flooring is ideal in high traffic areas such as kitchens, hallways, bathrooms and so on.
Bathrooms are a good way to update your home.
In 2023, people are renovating their bathrooms to create more stylish spaces. This includes using sustainable materials and energy-efficient appliances. It also means reducing water waste, which can save up to 400 litres per week.
Bathrooms are a place to relax and unwind, so they’re often decorated in soothing colours like soft seaside blues and earthy greens. Whether you’re redesigning your entire bathroom or just one room, try to incorporate these colour themes into the design.
Another popular trend in bathroom renovations is the use of natural materials. It’s an easy way to give a room a fresh, clean look. You can also make your space feel more like a spa by adding features such as hydrotherapy jets and ambient lighting.
The use of neutrals and soft colours is a good idea for bathrooms, especially if you’re planning a remodel that will be seen by a lot of people.
Choosing white or other light colours for walls and tilework will make the space feel brighter, while earthy greens and other natural shades are ideal for bathrooms with dark accents, such as stone countertops or wood vanities.
When decorating a bathroom or wet room be sure to use the correct paint.
You can buy paint that is specifically designed for humid areas like a bathroom. If you don’t mould will soon start to appear on the wall as normal emulsion paint will absorb the moisture in the air and begin to grow mould and mildew.
Whether you’re remodelling an existing bathroom or creating one from scratch, it’s important to consider the needs of your family. For example, you may want a large bathtub to bathe the kids. Or you could need a shower with bench seating for an elderly family member who has limited mobility.
You should also consider the location of your main sewer pipe, which is a big vertical drainage pipe that runs waste from your sinks and toilets out of the home. In order to keep plumbing costs down, it’s a good idea to design your bathroom so that all major components connect directly to this wall.
Relocating the pipe externally is a major task and should be avoided.
This is a cost-saving strategy, as it allows you to create a more compact bathroom and reduce draining and supply lines to the fixtures. However, it’s important to note that this method can make the space feel less spacious and open.
Some homeowners are planning a bathroom remodel when they’re looking to sell their homes. It’s a common strategy because it can boost the value of a home, especially if it’s done by a seasoned remodelling professional.
More storage is one home improvement that anyone can do.
When it comes to home improvement, storage is one area that people tend to focus on. They may be looking to make their cupboards more organized, build shelving units or create more storage in a basement or attic.
There are many different ways to improve your storage spaces, from using smart technology to designing an aesthetically pleasing space that meets your needs. These changes can help to keep your house clean and free of clutter.
Saying that though, we are talking about your home, not an IKEA showroom, even famous minimalist lifestyle Guru Mari Kondo has admitted after having kids, she struggles to keep the house tidy.
Storage is also an important factor in the overall health of your house and will impact the resale value of your property. Whether you are working on decluttering your home or planning an entire renovation, it is important to plan out your budget and stick to it.
With energy costs rising, experts expect that people will turn to more energy-efficient options. This includes making improvements to heating and cooling systems as well as installing solar panels.
If you own a business, having a secure storage space can help to keep your equipment safe and accessible. Some businesses even rent out self-storage units to help them store more inventory.
For example, theatre and gallery owners need a place to store their collections for a period of time. Rather than storing their art in unfavourable conditions, they can rent a climate-controlled storage unit that can protect it from dust and humidity.
Similarly, people who own a home office may want to use a storage space in their basement or attic to store files and other items. This can be a cost-effective way to get more storage in your home without putting too much strain on your finances.
In addition, if you own a home with an extra bedroom or living room that isn’t being used regularly, it may be worth creating a home office space in this room. This can be a great way to organize your space and increase your productivity.
While some of these trends may seem high-priced, it is important to remember that these changes will increase your home’s value. This can be a great way to save money in the future if you decide to sell your property.
An on-trend thing this year is make space for a home office
A home office is now considered almost essential for the many workers who previously worked in an office but now have found they can work from home just as well instead.
Many civil servants are now doing this, as are telemarketers, online business owners, estate agents, pretty much anyone can do their job with a phone and a laptop now.
Many companies are now promoting hybrid working, spend a very small time in the office, but doing much of you worker at home. This can be a real boon if you have kids too, although manage your time and your work/life balance effectively.
Outdoor Spaces have become more important of late
One of the biggest trends in home improvement for 2023 is the focus on outdoor spaces.
This year, many homeowners have rediscovered the importance of backyards, patios and decks as places to relax and spend time with friends and family.
Aside from social gatherings, outdoor living spaces can be used for other purposes. For example, some people like to use them as home offices, while others enjoy having their workouts outside.
Experts also believe that homeowners will want to adapt their outdoor spaces for year-round use. However, this can vary based on climate and region.
Another trend is to create an outdoor space that ties in with the indoors, creating a cohesive look and feel throughout the home. This can be done by adding a pergola to the back of a house, incorporating fencing into a garden or creating a private deck off a bedroom.
Whether it’s adding an in-ground pool or an outdoor kitchen, an investment in your home’s outdoor areas can increase its value. It can also help you sell your home, as it increases curb appeal and adds valuable square footage.
A large percentage of homeowners plan to add or improve their outdoor living spaces this year, according to a survey conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association. In addition, they plan to invest in new lighting for their gardens and outdoor spaces.
Some experts feel that the main purpose of an outdoor living space is to gather with friends and family, while others suggest that it should be a place to relax.
This makes sense, since most people have spent more time at home this year than they did in previous years, especially during, and after, the covid pandemic.
It’s also a good idea to have multiple areas for gathering and activities, so that your entire family can relax safely in the same space. This is especially true for families with young children, who may have to stay in the house while parents go on holiday or work remotely.
Homeowners are also increasing their investment in their outdoor living spaces this year because they want to spend more time at home.
The energy crisis and falling house prices have made it easier for many people to stay at home than in previous years, putting a greater emphasis on the use of their living areas. This in turn has encouraged them to invest in their outdoor spaces more than they would have before the pandemic.
Sustainability and looking to Energy saving home exteriors are the new “must have”
The exterior of the home is by far the most important feature, the most visually important and to provide weather protection.
With more people spending more time at home nowadays, it is vital to keep the exterior in good shape.
We have, for decades, had great success with our coloured wall coating system, which can transform even the most roughest looking house, into a new home at the same address!
The main features of the system, apart from being available in many different colours, is the fact that it stops damp and mould, PLUS, it does not fade, crack, chip or peel, and that is good for 20 years+.
However recently, and with the rise in energy costs, we are seeing the popularity of a newer wall coating product, one that actively protects the home, but crucially lowers your home heating bills by up to 30%.
I know with the cost of my own household energy bills at the moment, 30 percent is a lot of money to save, and therefore handily, the system repays itself after only a few years.
Why not get in contact with us and ask how we can improved your home, lower your heating bills, and get you on trend for this year, and the next, and the next one.
Give us a ring on 0800 970 4928 or email the team, we look forward to hearing from you.