Renovate over relocate: easy renovation ideas for your home
Renovating our homes is becoming more popular than moving - discover easy renovation ideas for your space here.
Renovating is officially overtaking relocating for the younger generation, with 53% of 18-34 year olds opting to complete budget-friendly renovations over moving.
This amounts to 26% overall, according to the MyBuilder 2026 Renovation Nation Report.
Social engagement reflects this, too, with #BudgetDIY generating 13k TikToks and renovation content attracting millions of views across TikTok and Instagram.
Budget renovation hacks include everything from installing floating shelving, to transforming gardens into an extension of the home.
These small updates can have a huge impact on the feel of your home, helping to improve without the need of a complete overhaul.
We spoke to the experts on the easy renovation ideas to focus on if you’re looking to make some fast changes that will make a big impact.
Invest in good quality appliances
While it’s tempting to purchase something cheaper, spending a bit more on your appliances will mean they’re built to last, and therefore result in needing replacing less often.
Graham Duke, sales director at Cotswolds-based, eco-friendly range cooker and stove brand Everhot adds: “When choosing your appliances, it’s worth looking beyond the surface and thinking about where it’s made, how it’s built, and how it will fit into your life for years to come.
“Investing in British-made products means investing in skilled craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and long-term reliability.
“At Everhot, we combine the timeless look of a beautiful, traditional range cooker with modern priorities – energy-efficient electric cooking and smart, WiFi-enabled technology – so you don’t have to compromise between heritage, performance, and sustainability.”
Photo: Christopher Horwood / Everhot
Invest in carpet over wooden floors
Choosing what flooring to go for when renovating can be tricky, obviously it depends on your personal style and the room in question – but experts recommend opting for carpet over wooden flooring where possible.
Jodie Hatton, design manager at heritage carpet company, Brintons explains: “Wall-to-wall carpet is making something of a comeback.
“While wooden floors have been centre stage in many homes in the recent past, we have seen a dramatic rise in the popularity of patterned carpets. Fitted carpets are back, and back with gusto.
“A wall to wall carpet is a wonderful investment and has the ability to completely rejuvenate and transform a space.
“While bringing a cosy and warming feel, the variety of colours and patterns available allows you to express your creativity and design a room that is utterly individual.
“Carpets are often the biggest investment to a room in so many ways; value, longevity, area coverage.
“Where an alternative flooring like wood or tiles might make a room feel stark and bare, a soft woven wool carpet, layered with accessories in cashmere, mohair and linen will all work to soften the overall look.”
Photo: Brintons
Solve storage woes with floating shelves
Storage is always an issue in homes, especially if you have a growing family.
It can be a common reason for opting to move house, but there are plenty of storage hacks you can do to avoid this.
Floating shelves is one example, something that looks good without taking up too much physical space.
Bo Hellberg, CMO at Scandinavian design icon String Furniture shares: “Floating shelves don’t take up a lot of physical – and therefore visual – space, making them ideal for smaller rooms.
“Swapping even a small run of cabinets for open shelving can make a room feel larger and brighter.
“It allows for plenty of storage and creates an opportunity to display your favourite items and knick knacks, without overwhelming the space with heavy cabinetry.”
Photo: String Furniture
Extend your home outdoors
It has been widely reported this year, that one of the biggest things buyers are looking for in homes is the ability for outside spaces to be used all through the year, as an extension of the home.
Whether this is by adding covered outside areas like pergolas, or building garden rooms and offices – there are plenty of ways to achieve this.
Bo Hellberg, CMO of Grythyttan Stalmobler, the Swedish outdoor furniture specialists explains: “A well-designed garden room is a great extension of your home, and can create a stylish outdoor retreat.
“Choose materials and furniture that blends seamlessly with the garden, with natural materials and large openings to create a smooth indoor-outdoor flow.
“The right outdoor furniture plays a key role in enhancing the space. Opt for weather-resistant materials like teak wood or metal steel, that will ensure durability and style.
“Comfortable seating and dining sets can transform the garden room into a perfect spot for relaxation or entertaining.
“Avoid cluttering the space with oversized furniture or materials that require high maintenance.
“Instead, focus on versatile, long-lasting pieces that complement the natural surroundings, ensuring the garden room remains a timeless and valuable addition to your home.”
Photo: Grythyttan Stalmobler
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