Revealed at the company’s recent ‘Innovation Day’ media briefing, new research from Häfele UK suggests that despite a challenging start to the year for many business in the home improvements sector, a sizeable number of homeowners are looking to invest in their homes once again.
The initial findings, released as part of the Functional Spaces: Homes for Living research by Häfele UK, show that almost half of UK homeowners (45%) are planning home improvements within the next two years. Interior decorating (29%), a new kitchen (23%) and bathroom renovations (21.4%) were the top choices for those planning home improvement works, with new flooring (21%) and new doors (15%) also making the top five.
Other planned home improvements include external works like roofing, gutters and external paintwork (14%), new windows (13%), adding or upgrading a downstairs toilet (10%), fitting a new boiler (10%) or new lighting (9%).
The survey results indicated that a reduction in energy pricing may be allowing homeowners to invest in their homes once again, whilst a tendency to favour ‘improving over moving’ was also revealed to be a significant factor. On this, one in ten respondents said the cost and difficulty of buying and selling will see them actively put off plans to move in favour of home improvements, and over a third (36%) of all respondents aren’t considering a move but have plans to upgrade their home.
Natalie Davenport, Head of Marketing at Häfele UK, said: “During Covid lockdowns, there was a huge spike in home improvement projects of all scales and sizes, but more recent economic circumstances have put many plans on hold. In our survey of 2,000 UK homeowners, however, there are indications that half of households plan to spend on their current property in the coming years.
“The kitchen is a particular area that homeowners are looking to improve, especially as our research found that one in ten people do not like their current kitchen.”
This 2023 Functional Spaces: Homes for Living research builds on a similar study conducted in 2022 by the manufacturer and distributor of furniture fittings, accessories, hardware and ironmongery, that explored the impact of kitchen design on wellbeing and mental health.
This year’s survey uncovered that 81% of homeowners feel they would have an improved quality of life if the biggest issues in their kitchen were resolved — a stark increase of 16% versus the company’s 2022 findings. Delving into what homeowners most dislike about their kitchen, not enough storage was the most common factor, chosen by 28% of those surveyed. Size was an issue for a quarter of respondents who selected ‘too small’ as their biggest issue. Cluttered worktops (19%), damaged and tired kitchen cabinets (17%) and inaccessible cupboards and shelving (15%) were also frequent problems.
A quarter of consumers selected a style overhaul as the motivator for why they would update or have updated their kitchen. Quality improvements (23%) and lack of storage (19%) were second and third on the list.
Given the cost-of-living crisis and a spike in conversation around rising prices, it’s perhaps unsurprising that budget and the overall cost was the most important factor for those who’ve recently bought or updated their kitchen (34%) and almost half of those who said they need to upgrade their kitchen are worried about the cost to do so. This figure has increased by 6% since Häfele’s 2022 study.
Examining the priorities for those planning a future kitchen upgrade, the top four comprise quality and how long it will last (19%); budget and overall cost (18%); function and usability (14%); and style and how it looks (11%). Almost a quarter of respondents (24%) said they would shop around to get the best functionality for their budget — up 3% versus 2022.
Beyond the kitchen
Concluding on the initial findings of the research, Natalie added: “The importance homeowners place on their kitchen remains strong and consumers are increasingly aware of the impact their home and its design and function have on their daily lives.
“Our upcoming report sharing more of the findings will outline a multitude of insights that will help those involved in all aspects of home design to create better spaces for the consumer, as well as understand their new priorities and drivers when it comes to purchasing and decision making.”
Häfele UK’s Functional Spaces: Homes for Living report will be available in full later this summer. Visit www.hafele.co.uk for updates
Centenary celebrations
The Häfele UK Innovation Day presented a comprehensive overview of the company’s burgeoning product range — totalling more than 25,000 stocked products — and expanded service offering, and included a tour of the facilities of the manufacturer and distributor’s impressive Training Academy. Supplying furniture fittings, accessories, hardware, ironmongery and lighting solutions to trade and B2B customers including a growing number of merchants, the business is celebrating 100 years since its inception as a specialist hardware shop near Nagold, Germany by merchants Adolf Häfele and Hermann Funk.
In its centenary year, the firm has announced a number of new product launches including the Flex Lighting System which “promises to put an end to the complex and time consuming process that can come with installing kitchen and furniture lighting designs.”
Flex Light is a silicon-based ribbon which can be bent to almost any angle and radius. The innovative system, is designed as a single light solution that’s suitable for multiple applications and it pairs up with a brand new selection of profiles for plinths, handleless cabinets, worktops, and splashbacks. Users simply need to select the Flex Light profile required for the application, and push-fit the Flex Light ribbon to achieve the desired effect.
The profiles have been designed in a variety of lengths to suit applications of different sizes, with two lighting colours — cool white and warm white — available to choose from. Furthermore, the Flex system can be controlled in many ways, including remotely by an app on the user’s phone via Häfele’s Loox Lighting drivers.
Häfele UK has also announced the launch of its new Service+ package — described as a new suite of services designed to add value to its customers’ businesses “from concept through to installation and beyond.” Comprising four key elements to “give extra help and expertise across planning, design, customisation and pre and post-sale support,” the offering is intended to allow customers to “focus on serving their clients, delivering projects and growing their business.”
Further support for merchants includes a next day delivery service, training (encompassing in-branch, via the Loox Lighting mobile training unit, at the Training Academy and online), point of sale, a Lighting Design Service, access to Technical Support Teams and extensive guarantees.
For more information, visit www.hafele.co.uk
