With one in five (20%) people saying they’d like to move but can’t, due to affordability – a significant increase from 13% in 2023 – many are opting to improve their existing property with practical and emotional investments.

The research reveals that homeowners are planning garage conversions (7%), double-storey (6%) and single-storey extensions (6%), along with loft conversions (5%), to expand their living space and get more from their footprint.

Other planned home improvements – including new home offices (10%), home gyms (9%), and garage conversions (7%) – reflect a demand for multi-purpose areas that adapt to changing lifestyles.

For builders and tradespeople working outdoors, garden landscaping (21%) and outdoor dining/entertainment areas (11%) projects are proving popular, demonstrating ongoing demand for functional outdoor spaces.

The findings, part of the new Homes Unhooked 2025-2026 report by home and garden PR agency Unhooked Communications, also highlight the key drivers behind home improvement decisions.

The most popular motivations include improving people's feelings in their homes, using space better, and updating the look and style.

The research found that when choosing suppliers, nearly half (48%) prefer to support local businesses, and 36% want expert advice.

The most popular channels for consumers to find home renovation information and inspiration include search engines (22%), YouTube (14%), and recommendations (13%) – demonstrating the need to use strong examples of real-life transformations and happy customers within online content.