Consumers Investing More In Their Homes Post-Lockdown

Brits love their home ‘more than ever’ - after spending an extra EIGHT hours a day in it during recent months.

A study of 2,000 adults found that before the pandemic, just nine hours was spent at home on an average day.

But the lockdown and restrictions has seen this figure dramatically increase, with 35 per cent now considering home their primary place of work.

This extra time has seen 58 per cent develop a new-found fondness for their bricks and mortar and its contents.

And 24 per cent went as far as to say their feelings were indifferent towards their home before lockdown but they have now grown to love it.

As a result, the average adult has spent £592 on new furniture, home security and building work to make their house feel like more of a home.

Duncan Chamberlain, managing director of Yale Retail UK, which commissioned the research ahead of National Home Security Month, said: “Many people no longer see their home as just the place to sleep and eat as so many are spending more waking hours in their homes than ever.

“As a result, the findings have shown millions across the country have fallen a little bit more in love with their homes – finding appreciation in the little things they wouldn’t usually.

“With this extra appreciation for our homes, it’s more important than ever to keep our homes and possessions safe and secure.

“As more people are investing in creating a home they love, homeowners should consider also investing in home security to protect their property. ”

But the study found that, despite loving their home, one in 10 don't feel completely safe and secure in it, causing 33 per cent to improve security over the past few months.

Replacing windows or doors, replacing door locks and fitting a smart alarm system were the top security upgrades made during lockdown.

Nearly four in 10 (38 per cent) also feel more protective of their home due to spending more time in it than usual.

However, 37 per cent admitted they have found it harder to relax at home due to it now becoming their workspace.

And 38 per cent now make more effort to get out and about on the weekends to have a break from being at home.

It also emerged 58 per cent of adults would say they are a homebody, although 29 per cent see where they live as a house rather than a 'home'.

Almost half (49 per cent) think their house represents their personality, with 63 per cent having painted a room, given their garden a makeover or created a home office.

The findings, carried out via OnePoll, also revealed the top 20 things which make a house a home, including sleeping in your own bed, family photos and a fridge full of food, alongside having a 'place' on the sofa.

The smell of freshly cooked food, a bookshelf full of your own books and a freshly made bed were some of the other things that made the top 20.

And more than a third (37 per cent) said their home has a distinct 'home smell'.

Duncan Chamberlain, from Yale, added: “With anything you love, you obviously want to protect it.

“Spending more time at home – you’re naturally going to notice things you hadn’t before and with so many making changes and upgrades to their home, people will always want to feel safe and protected.

“Ahead of National Home Security Month we commissioned this research as a celebration of home, while also drawing attention to the importance of thinking about the safety of it.”

TOP 20 THINGS THAT MAKE A HOUSE A HOME
1. Sleeping in ‘your own’ bed
2. Family photos
3. A fridge full of food
4. A ‘place’ on the sofa
5. Nice garden
6. The smell of freshly cooked food
7. Plants
8. A bookshelf filled with my books
9. Natural light
10. A pet
11. Freshly washed bedsheets
12. Fresh towels
13. Flowers in vases
14. Scented candles
15. Having the bed made
16. A dining table
17. A large TV
18. A fireplace
19. Blankets/throws
20. Artwork

Source : Yale Retail UK

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.