Home Improvement & Furniture Industry To See Seasonal Boost

Brits will spend almost £2.8 billion more on furniture and home updates over the festive season this year compared to last year. With those who are hosting during this period accounting for £3.4m in total, buying furniture to aid their hosting of occasions such as, drinks, dinners, parties and more - this could be from extra tables and chairs, to storage and beds for overnight guests.

That’s according to a recent survey of 1,000 UK adults conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Jackson Woodturners, stair part specialists, which asked respondents about their festive spending, plans for hosting and home improvements they intend to make ahead of any celebrations. 

To get ready for the arrival of seasonal guests, hosts plan their furniture requirements on average 1 month (40 days) before hosting. When considering that over a third (39%) of Brits will make home improvements before hosting festive celebrations, it is reasonable to expect a flurry of last-minute orders over the coming weeks. 

The most common home improvement projects being made ahead of festive hosting…

1. Decorating the dining room (one in nine)

2. Decorating the kitchen (one in twelve)

3. New lighting (one in twelve)

4. Decorating bedroom/s (around one in fourteen) 

5. Painting rooms and/or woodwork (around one in fourteen)

6. Buying and installing new electronics and devices (around one in fourteen)

7. Decorating hallways and staircases (around one in sixteen)

8. Bathroom decorated (around one in sixteen)

9. Plumbing or water issue fixed (around one in sixteen)

10. Electric or gas issues fixed (around one in sixteen)

The younger the person, the more likely they are to make home updates ahead of Christmas hosting. A massive two thirds (69%) of Gen Z would make updates and over half (55%) of Millennials. Almost a third (31%) of Gen X would also make updates, whilst only 17% of Baby boomers and 15% of The Silent Generation would bother. 

Project priorities by generation

• The most popular job for Gen Z is decorating the kitchen

• The most popular job for Millennials, Gen X and Boomers is decorating the dining room

• The most popular job for The Silent Gen is painting rooms and woodwork

The majority of Brits (50%) would spend more on home improvements in the lead up to hosting during the festive season (only 15% said they wouldn’t do this, the rest weren’t sure). With many turning to credit options to fund any updates. Over a quarter (26%) will buy furniture via credit (16% credit card & 10% store credit schemes).

To fund new or extra furniture needed during the festive season, Brits are most likely to pay for it via,

Lucie Levesley, director at Jackson Woodturners, stair part specialists commented,

“We often see customers in our showroom at this time of year who want to make home updates in a hurry, making sure any projects are completed before their guests arrive for the festive season. Whilst for a full staircase renovation, we’d suggest giving yourself as much time as possible, some more simple upgrades can be made with very little notice. For example, swapping fixtures and fittings for more modern styles such as black metal or chrome finishes can completely transform a hallway. In addition, painting or restaining woodwork is common. Colour drenching is a popular trend at the moment, with many looking to paint woodwork the same colour as their walls instead of a more traditional white finish.”

To find out more about the study of 1,000 UK adults, view the results at https://www.jacksonwoodturners.co.uk/planning-advice/true-cost-of-hosting-celebrations.

Source : Jackson Woodturners

Image : freestocks.org / 749354 / Pexels

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